Overture Center
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Overture Center for the Arts is a performing arts center and art gallery in Madison, Wisconsin, which replaced the Civic Center. The center was commissioned by Jerome Frautschi, designed by Cesar Pelli, and built by J.H. Findorff and Son. Frautschi paid $205 million to construct the building, making it the largest private gift to the arts of its kind.
The center first opened on September 19, 2004.
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[edit] Venues
The building has 7 venues, in addition to numerous art galleries:
[edit] Overture Hall
The 2251-seat Overture Hall is the facility's largest theater space. Consisting of four levels of seats, it has a striking architectural style. The balconies are notable for their "continental-style" seating arrangement, where aisles other than those on the sides of seat rows are omitted in order to provide, according to designers, greater seat size. It also features a large, permanent organ by the German organ builder Klais. The Madison Symphony Orchestra, Madison Opera, and Madison Ballet call this theater home. In addition to local Madison performing groups, a variety of touring performances have played in Overture Hall; comedian Jerry Seinfeld and musician Yo-Yo Ma are examples of the number of nationally famous names that have appeared here.
[edit] Capitol Theater
During Overture construction, the Oscar Mayer Theater [originally built in 1928 as a movie theater] was restored, downsized, and re-christened the Capitol Theater. Done in muted teal and fuchsia, it holds approximately 1000 people in the main floor and balcony. Original to the theater is an organ built by Oshkosh's Barton Organ Company. Resident companies include the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and CTM Madison Family Theatre, although some traveling shows [usually concerts] occasionally perform there.
The theater's inaugural performance upon reopening took place on November 4, 2005.
[edit] Playhouse
This smaller, intimate performance space replaced the former Isthmus Playhouse. The Madison Repertory Theatre is its resident company.
[edit] Promenade Hall
This is a smaller room featuring bleachers in the walls which can convert it to a performance space. Kanopy Dance is its resident company.
[edit] Rotunda Stage
This room, located in the lower level, is used for the center's Kids in the Rotunda performances.[1] The only venue accessible to the public during regular hours, it features a bright, distinct color scheme of fuchsia walls and floors, as well as permanent audience riser seats. It is also a venue for banquets, meetings and other performances.
[edit] Wisconsin Studio & Rotunda Studio
These 2 venues are used mainly for rehearsals and meetings.
[edit] Visual Art Galleries
The center also features 4 visual art galleries. The Overture Galleries feature a variety of exhibits by local and state artists and organizations.
In addition, the center houses the James Watrous Gallery, which is operated by the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters. This gallery features larger exhibits and installations from regional artists.
Both galleries are open to the public.
[edit] Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
The center also houses the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, formerly known as the Madison Art Center. The museum features 2 large galleries as well as the smaller Henry Street Gallery. Other highlights include a rooftop terrace and restaurant, and enlarged museum store. A 3-story glass "icon" on the corner of State and Henry streets serves as the museum's main staircase, as well as its architectural landmark.
The final section of Overture to be completed, the museum opened on April 23, 2006.
