THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 6, 1996 TAG: 9610060048
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MAL VINCENT, ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 96 lines
Beneath a huge crystal chandelier hanging above the grand staircase, an equally glittering crowd gathered Saturday evening to open the L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center.
``I'm humbled and I'm flattered,'' the former governor said moments before he cut the ribbon that opened the building bearing his name. The bejeweled throng then entered to ooh and ahh at the $10 million, 1,900-seat theater on the Norfolk State University campus, just off Brambleton Avenue.
The hall itself, with forest green velour seats and a host of chandeliers fashioned from Italian crystal, was the real star - and it was a knockout.
In sound, lighting and comfort, the building seemed to be proclaiming that all the ``state-of-the-art'' hype that had preceded its unveiling was true.
Asked, on the way into the hall, which of the performing arts he would most like to see performed in the building, Wilder hesitated and then said: ``Opera. And the classical symphonies. I like jazz, and jazz should be here, too, but it has other homes. We want to make opera, and the other arts, a familiar pleasure, like it is in Europe.''
Dr. Harrison B. Wilson, president of the university, said the hall had its beginnings on a hot, balmy night in Africa some years ago when ``I had a captive audience in Doug Wilder and talked to him about such a building.''
Laughing, Wilder concurred. ``He talked to me about it on the plane over, on the stops, and every vacant moment since. It was definitely something he had on his mind, and he's bigger than me. He twisted my arm. Harrison Wilson is a politician. He's very understated and very low-keyed, but he's a man that fights for his cause.''
Giving a rare hint of the political thinking from which art can come, Wilder said: ``Dr. Wilson knew I was going to put this building in the bond package (that funded the center). If Norfolk State didn't get something, no one was going to get anything. It's good to get a fair piece of the pie, but it's far better to have your hand on the knife that cuts the pie.''
Lt. Gov. Donald S. Beyer Jr., a fellow Democrat, said: ``It's entirely appropriate that a building such as this be named for Doug Wilder. If ever there was a master of theater and politics, it's him.''
Threatening clouds parted and the sun came through just in time for the late-afternoon opening ceremonies. The inaugural concert was a mixture of varied musical art, including Shostakovich's ``Festival Overture''; an arrangement of Duke Ellington favorites; a choral work composed by Adolphus Hailstork, a member of the university's faculty; and a performance by the Harlem Spiritual Ensemble.
The Virginia Symphony was conducted by Thomas Wilkins, a native of Norfolk who is now conductor of the Florida Orchestra in St. Petersburg. Wilkins spoke of wandering over this land when he was a child and pointed out that ``this is a building, and a place, where new memories will begin to be made tonight.''
The newest gem in Hampton Roads performance theaters, however, will have to compete with Scope, Harrison Opera House, Willett Hall, William and Mary Hall and Hampton University's Ogden Hall, among others, for bookings.
Some have noted that there are now a large number of seats to fill in area theaters. Donna Drew Sawyer, the building's new executive director, acknowledged that it will be a challenge. ``But this building has the latest in everything: sound, lighting - everything. We hope to augment the other theaters, not necessarily to compete.''
Virginia Ballet Theater is set for the venue on Saturday, and a production of the musical ``Bubbling Brown Sugar'' is set for next March, but few other attractions have been announced.
``Our first real season will be 1997-98,'' Sawyer said, ``but we're hoping to bring in some surprises beginning in January.''
There seemed to be no nagging question about whether the building is actually needed - not, at least, among the opening night celebrators.
Dr. L.D. Britt, head of the university's board, said: ``You cannot have an academic center without having a performing arts center. I can't think of one creative thinker who was not brought up in the performing arts.''
Dr. Jesse Lewis, vice president of academic affairs, got an audible sigh of surprise from the crowd when he reminded them that the university's new satellite hookup will mean that performances from Wilder Center can be broadcast around the world. ``Oh, yes. The facilities are now here,'' he said. ``A performance here in Norfolk can be seen worldwide.''
But it was the university president who appeared most proud. ``My buttons should be busting off my jacket,'' Wilson quipped.
He added: ``I envision painters, writers, musicians, actors, all coming here to exchange ideas. They'll come on buses, or they'll walk, but they'll get here.'' ILLUSTRATION: BILL TIERNAN color photos/The Virginian-Pilot
It was Gov. L. Douglas Wilder who cemented the bond package that
funded the center. Saturday, it was Wilder who won the
congratulations.
Inside the $10 million, 1,900-seat center, the Virginia Symphony
performed for the opening and dignitaries were introduced.
Photo
BILL TIERNAN/The Virginian-Pilot
Backstage at the L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center, the
former governor, right, waits with alumnus Tim Reid, center, and NSU
President Harrison B. Wilson, left. by CNB