A majestic Flatbush theater, restored to former glory and outfitted with state-of-the-art tech, offers a one-of-a-kind experience for audiences and artists

by Kate Menard

On this weekday afternoon, Kings Theatre’s main entrance was closed to the public. I followed the theater’s Executive Director, Matthew Wolf, in through a side door, up a small flight of stairs, and across the floor of the lobby. We stopped and stood just inside the locked entrance. Gazing at the expansive space, Wolf asked: “What do you see?”

“I see gold,” I said.

Originally opened in 1929, closed in 1977, and now the product of a $94 million renovation, Kings Theatre—reopened in February—is now sumptuous in both appearance and substance. Modeled after the Palace of Versailles and the Paris Opera House, gold, burgundy, silvery blue, and rich browns mark the lobby, mezzanine, and auditorium. Despite being exposed to the elements after its closing, the lobby’s original marble flooring remained, as did the majority of its American walnut wall panels and seven large chandeliers, all now restored to their former brilliance.

On the mezzanine level, in addition to seating, can be found the former gentlemen’s and ladies’ lounges. The entranceway to the former (which now serves as a small VIP room) is hand-painted with movie vignettes. The ladies’ lounge is graced with a marble fireplace and beautiful wood furniture…that comes with a story. The last house manager, now over one hundred years old, was given the furniture upon the theater’s closing. When she heard about the renovation, she donated it back. As a result, in this room now preside stately king and queen chairs, the former topped with a substantial crown (the likenesses of which can be seen around the theater).

Roomier than average seating has been sloped for unobstructed views of the stage. Upgraded concession stands offer beer on tap, along with other refreshments and snacks. Backstage offers artists and crew the royal treatment. No fewer than 44 dressing stations are available, with several dressing rooms outfitted with personal bathrooms and showers.

Under a wide dome ceiling, accented with a variety of carefully molded faces and elegant design work, approximately 3,000 seats face center stage. High in the back, the former projection booth houses a new spotlight. Just below, at orchestra level, is a state-of-the-art sound both. Depending on the act, the first eight rows of seating can also be removed to allow for general standing-room-only space for a more personal interaction between artist and audience.

One of the five original “Loew’s Wonder Theatres,” Kings Theatre was erected in what was once the heart of Brooklyn’s theater district. During the first half of the 20th Century, the business of movie studios and houses were intertwined, with studios typically running the theaters that showed their movies. Marcus Loew’s company, Loew’s, Inc., built and ran the theatre initially, soliciting design from the architectural firm of Rapp and Rapp and interior decor from Harold W. Rambusch (whose firm helped decorate the main public rooms at the Waldorf- Astoria). And although some live performances took place in the original space, the theater primarily functioned as a movie house until its closure in the ’70s.

In 2006, the New York Economic Development Corporation (NYEDC) and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz expressed an interest in restoring and reopening the landmark. The resulting work represented a joint effort and partnership between the NYEDC, ACE Theatrical Group, Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group, and the National Development Council.

Wolf related that the restoration of such a space is an “organic process,” and that working with old architectural plans meant that what’s behind any given wall may come as a surprise, resulting in always-evolving goals.

Diana Ross performed at the theater’s grand re-opening in February. Since then, artists such as Beres Hammond, Machel Montano, Passion Pit, and The National have taken the stage. Wolf noted that, in addition to a range of quality music in a beautiful space, the theatre offers a specifically Brooklyn experience, which the many artists now living in the borough, as well as the fans who reside there, can at last take advantage of…again.

Kings Theatre
1027 Flatbush Avenue / kingstheatre.com