The Great Dome. This
impressive structure is on the ceiling of the upper balcony. Its a true
"parabolic" reflector that
enhances and reflects the sound from the stage down to the theater. It is 64
feet wide and 10 feet deep at its
deepest point. Without this dome, the theater sound would be flat. Before
theater sound systems were perfected,
these would deflect the sound to the audience. The "Wagon Wheel" chandelier
was totally restored and re-wired.
The wheel can be lowered for maintenance. Around the perimeter of the dome
are nine small chandeliers that also
can be lowered for maintenance. There are nine panels in the dome with
raised plaster artwork. Around the perimeter
of the dome you can see some of the sprinkler heads, which appear as gold
dots.
Sixteen miles of pipe was installed for the complex sprinkler system. |