After 34 years, Paul Greene Theatre finally got a face-lift.
PlayMakers Repertory Company will perform its first main stage production, Shakespeare’s “As You Like it,” in the newly-renovated theater on Wednesday.
With updates to lights, seats, carpeting, ramps and safety rails, the theater is now more accessible to a wider variety of patrons and performances.
“It’s important for the comfort, safety and accessibility of our patrons which will allow them the ability to better enjoy our performances,” said Joseph Haj, PlayMakers’ producing artistic director.
And though the renovations were necessary, they still preserve the theater’s fundamental essence, Haj said.
The new seats are designed in such a way as to better position audience members toward the action occurring on stage, said Jeff Cornell, associate chairman of the department for dramatic art.
“They help you lean forward — you’re held in a better position to view the show,” Cornell said.
At a recent event previewing the company’s upcoming performance, some patrons claimed that they had not noticed any of the new changes that had been made.
But longtime Playmakers regular Valerie Yow said she appreciated the new seats.