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It's not everyone who can say they've shared a stage with big names in showbiz--at least not just yet. But soon, local students, community members, and, in particular, alumni of Campbell High School, will be able to claim all that and more, in a way.
The historic Heritage Theatre will celebrate its grand opening in Campbell this week, marking the beginning of a new lease on life for the restored venue, which will host local and regional performing arts groups, community organizations, student programs and recitals, and workshops and conferences, as well as a lineup of nationally known performers. (See related story on the last page of this section.)
Putting some famous names on the marquee is part of a wide-ranging effort to make a true destination of the local landmark and the culmination of a grass-roots endeavor to preserve the theater, which was originally constructed as Campbell High School's auditorium in 1938. Designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style by renowned California architect William Weeks, the theater's architecture is simple, but features striking details, such as tile accents and geometric grillwork on the façade, and a highly decorated ceiling.
Campbell High School closed in 1980, but its historic buildings were soon put to use as the Campbell Community Center, except for the auditorium, which required prohibitively expensive repairs. Now, thanks to an $8.5 million renovation funded by the city of Campbell and the community nonprofit Friends of the Heritage Theatre, the curtain is about to rise again, and in grand fashion.
Broadway legend Tommy Tune and the Manhattan Rhythm Kings will be first to take the new stage at the Heritage Theatre during the Feb. 14 gala opening celebration. Tune is a dancer, singer, director and choreographer who has garnered nine Tony Awards for his work in musicals like The Will Rogers Follies and Grand Hotel. The Manhattan Rhythm Kings, a music trio specializing in American popular music from the '20s through the '40s, are longtime collaborators with Tune.
The opening celebration won't end with this special evening, either. The Heritage Theatre will also host a community grand opening on Feb. 28. The event will feature performances by local schools, a Croatian dance group and a Japanese classical dance group, as well as offering a chance to look around the theater.
The Heritage Theatre's Gala Grand Opening, with Tommy Tune and the Manhattan Rhythm Kings, takes place Feb. 14, with a ribbon-cutting and champagne at 7 p.m. and the performance at 8 p.m. Tickets are $125 each. The Community Grand Opening takes place Feb. 28, 1 p.m.4 p.m. Admission is free. The Heritage Theatre is located at 1 W. Campbell Ave., Campbell. For more information, call 408.866.2797 or see www.heritagetheatre.org.
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