(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- The stars and spotlights shine brightly at the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)! The night before, The Price is Right! officially opened the new season, and a unique sneak peek event was held Tuesday, October 11, for theater supporters to experience the state-of-the-art restorations and renovations made throughout the theater. The evening commemorated the completion of Phase 1 of the historic venue's Capital Campaign project.
Guests were entertained by moving performances with students from bergenPAC's Young Professionals Vocal Academy. Vince Ermita, who recently starred as "Young Simba" in Broadway's The Lion King, performed his version of "Bridge Over Troubled Water," and Felice Kakaletris, a student in the Performing Arts School's Young Professionals Vocal Academy who appeared in NBC's Annie Live!, turned in a stirring rendition of "Tomorrow" from Annie.
The $15 million Capital Campaign includes the complete restoration of the Main Hall to its 1926 brilliance and significant upgrades and enhancements that awed attendees, ensuring a more comfortable experience for patrons. Patrons will now sit in comfortable seats installed inside the orchestra, with restored hand-painted gold highlights around the proscenium and the arches. Orchestra seating now features columns created in keeping with the historic theaters of the 1900s. Guests will now sit in new comfortable seating while watching their favorite performance with the addition of the state-of-the-art sound system providing a quality rich, deep sound and experience.
bergenPAC celebrates the reopening with a Sneak Peek event, (L to R) Robert Cook, bergenPAC's Chairman of the Board; Frank Huttle, III, Founder of bergenPAC; Tom Sullivan, Vice Chairman Commissioner of Bergen County; Alexander Diaz, Executive Director and Englewood's Mayor Michael Wildes.
This project also entails expanding the offerings for bergenPAC's inclusive arts education programs, including opportunities for students to perform on the Taub Stage at bergenPAC.
"This project brings our theater back on par with the finest venues in the region and is what both our organization and its loyal fans deserve," said Alexander Diaz, bergenPAC's new Executive Director. "This sets up the next chapter in our story. As we continue the Capital Campaign, we can focus on sustaining our place in the community for generations to come."
bergenPAC supporters and officials stressed that while the capital improvement project is ongoing, the doors are now fully open. Everyone at bergenPAC is excited to bring back the arts and culture programs that significantly impact the community.
bergenPAC celebrated its reopening with sold-out shows: a live version of The Price is Right and children's favorite, Peppa Pig, to total capacity showing the public's thirst not only for live entertainment but for programming at bergenPAC, their true home for live entertainment and cultural arts.
bergenPAC celebrates the reopening with a Sneak Peek event with special performances by students from bergenPAC's Performing Arts School, (L to R) Robert Cook bergenPAC's Chairman of the Board; Alexander Diaz, Executive Director; Vince Ermita, who recently starred as "Young Simba" in Broadway's The Lion King, performed his version of "Bridge Over Troubled Water," ; Felice Kakaletris, a student in the Performing Arts School's Young Professionals Vocal Academy who appeared in NBC's Annie Live!, performed "Tomorrow" and Frank Huttle III, Founder of bergenPAC.
Upcoming performances and events include comedian Bergen County’s own Tracy Morgan eliciting loud laughs on October 21. Hip Hop Fever, on October 29, features a plethora of groundbreaking performers, including genre founders and foundation cornerstones such as Englewood's own The Sugarhill Gang, Slick Rick, Grandmaster Melle Mel and Scorpio of the Furious Five, Brand Nubian, Rob Base and many more.
A double dip of smooth crooners are on deck: Johnny Mathis (with orchestra) on November 7 and Paul Anka on November 8. Darlene Love's Annual Love for the Holidays is December 9.
Founded in 2003, the 1,367-seat Bergen Performing Arts Center, or bergenPAC, is the area's cultural mecca. The theater’s legacy started in 1926 when it opened as the Englewood Plaza movie theater. United Artists purchased the building in 1967 and kept the doors open until 1973. Through the efforts of a group of local citizens under the leadership of John Harms, the John Harms Center came to life in 1976. In 2003, a small group of dedicated individuals led by Frank Huttle III helped preserve this special theater and rechristened it the Bergen Performing Arts Center. The historic Art Deco-style theater boasts one of the finest acoustic halls in the United States, attracting a stellar roster of world-class entertainment. The renovation and restoration plan intends to retain the venue's original décor and design, with enhancements and reconstruction meant to take bergenPAC into the future.
The jewel in our crown is The Performing Arts School at bergenPAC – the innovative, educational performing arts initiative that, through programs, classes, outreach, school shows, and main theater presented shows, reaches more than 30,000 students and community youth annually. The Performing Arts School provides community youth, age 2 months to 21 years, with unique, "hands-on" training in music, dance, and theater by industry professionals. Through the ongoing generosity of sponsors, donors, members, and patrons, the not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) corporation bergenPAC and The Performing Arts School can thrive and enrich our community.
