The New Kid on the Block Avenue

If you ever look at our weekly theatre listings (and we hope you do!), you may have noticed that one local company has been conspicuously absent from the mix: the Philadelphia Theatre Company. They're starting their season off a little late this year so that the finishing touches can be made to their new home: the Suzanne Roberts Theatre on Broad and Lombard Streets.

This Phillyist and Phillyist GW made it out to a special press peek at the theatre last month (that's his pic of the building's exterior on the right), and we've gotta say: we were pretty impressed by the space. The main proscenium theatre feels incredibly roomy and modern compared to the Plays & Players Theatre, where PTC made their home for many years, and there are also plans for a small black box space in the works. KieranTimberlake Associates LLP, the architects responsible for the theatre's design (at least on the outside; the exterior of the building was designed by Dranoff Properties as part of the soon-to-open Symphony House), led us on a tour of the new venue, and it seems the firm has thought of everything, from using curved panels on the wall to ensure better acoustics, to keeping the stage away from the street to prevent noise pollution, to hiring vibration consultants (no joke!) Wilson, Ihrig & Associates, Inc. to ensure that the Broad Street Subway, which stops almost immediately below the building, is neither heard nor felt during performances. And the fly space above the stage and trap space beneath it is nothing short of impressive.

Intrigued yet? Well lucky you: PTC is hosing an all-day grand-opening of the space this Sunday, and you're invited. The full day's schedule is online, but if you're not able to commit your entire Sunday to the space, you should at least try to make it out for the marquee lighting at 7PM. It should be a good one.

Philadelphia Theatre Company Open House
The Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets on the Avenue of the Arts)
Sunday, October 21
1-7:30PM
Free