After a $1.5 million renovation that included new seats, new plaster, new paint, new carpeting, and new lights and sound equipment, the 81-year-old State Theatre on Congress Street in Portland is ready to reopen. That will happen Friday, with a sold-out show by My Morning Jacket. The theater, which has been closed since 2006, was opened for a tour Wednesday to show the media some of the renovations. The sloped section of the floor is covered with rows of red padded theater seats with arms; the theater’s previous operator left some of the sloped area bare for standing room. The two sections nearest the stage have folding chairs, padded and with arms, that can be removed to reveal a flat standing area for certain shows. The walls of the theater have been resurfaced with a textured plaster that matches the art deco feel of the venue, and repainted an earthy dark brown. The theater’s original architectural flourishes, including four faux balconies, giant banks of columns and sculpted scenes on each side of the stage, have been cleaned and repainted so they are more noticeable. Some of the accents have been retouched with glimmering gold paint.

 

 


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