Most of us who have lived in the City of Atlanta, or one of its metro suburbs, all our lives have dreamed of a tour such as this one. We have dreamed of what lies behind those 86-year old stone and cement walls. We have been fascinated with the prospect of a peek "behind the scenes."
So, when The Fox Theatre (the "Fox") set up a media preview for our small group of ten last week, I jumped at the invitation to come and witness what this famed and legendary theatre might hold behind its walls. The Behind the Scenes Tour ended up being everything we expected it to be and so much more.
If you did not follow along on my Instagram tour last week, I hope, after today's read, you will make a reservation for this limited-time, historic tour. You may visit The Fox Theatre's website to sign up or receive more information. (Currently, the tour is only planned for June dates.)
Our tour started off in the Lobby at the bottom of one of the Grand Staircases inside the theatre. A young and energetic tour guide, named Alexis, gave us a brief history lesson on the Fox. Did you know the original investors thought it would only take $1 million to build, but it actually ended up costing over $3 million? Did you know the theatre opened on Christmas Day 1929 with all the fanfare of acrobats and a Steamboat Willie cartoon? (Yes, my worlds actually collided for a brief moment!) Did you know this theatre has been running and operating in the black since 1978? Atlanta is so proud.
Our first official stop on tour was the Hospital. Yes, you read that correctly -- the Hospital. Buried behind the scenes and behind a large wooded door clearly marked, "Hospital," is a tiny subway-tiled room complete with an early 1930s-era bed, a medicine cabinet, and a bathroom sink. Fascinating! Still as you might picture it was during the early part of last century. What used to be manned by a nurse for ailing performers or Guests is now attended to by an EMT. Times may have changed, but the decor has not.
From the hospital, we proceeded to the old "screening room." Pictures of the room can be view on my Instgram virtual tour, but basically, this room was used by Atlanta censors to decide if new releases from the major motion picture studios in Hollywood should be banned in Atlanta. By the time this practice ended in 1966, 15 films had been banned from our City!
Today, the Fox uses this room for a multitude of purposes -- from Artist Meet and Greets to catering set-ups to prop storage areas. It is not a large room, but the history contained within it? Wow, if these walls could only talk! I'm sure the stories themselves would be large.
Next stop on tour was the pit. This is the original pit from 1929. The hydraulics used are still original (although the motors are new). The pit contains a "floor" that lowers and raises. This can be used for anything -- from strictly utilitarian procedures to dramatic production effects and entrances. Again, pictures for this area may be seen on my Instagram account. The pit was an extremely fascinating area to see, and one that both theatre fans and students will definitely want to take a peek at.
From the pit, we moved along to the electrical rooms. These large and antiquated rooms are no longer used, as most of them have been replaced by small and unobtrusive small gray boxes along the walls. However, here is an interesting factoid - Georgia Tech often sends engineers and students over to study these rooms as there so few in existence anymore. Hats off, once again, to The Fox for keeping as much intact as possible these last 86 years.
Next stop was the paint room. The fun part of this tour is that you are not only walking and climbing centuries old staircases, you are also riding century-old elevators. The larger, freight-style elevator you take to get to the paint room, reminded me immediately of my beloved Walt Disney World's Tower of Terror. (Only thing missing was a push out over the edge.)
I can't speak for everyone on our little tour, but it seemed to me that this room got the most inquisitions and pictures taken. Very fascinating, and one stop I am glad the theatre includes!
The paint room is run by Ms. Edna Tillander. She is the last one (out of four) from her family that has worked in the theatre's paint room for the past 65 years! This room was a treasure trove of history and artifacts.
From the paint room, we took my beloved Walt Disney World's Tower of Terror elevator back down to the Rehearsal and Dressing Room areas. The rehearsal room was fascinating as it housed the Production Manager's office up above and overlooking it. This office space once gave way to an in-house radio station! Who knew?
The Dressing Rooms were simply put, amazing. Not for their elaborateness or luxury, but for a few pretty cool wallpaper designs, both custom made for the Fox. The first dressing room's wallpaper was a montage of ticket stubbs from over the years. It was fun trying to look at them all and hearing all of us say, "Remember them?" or "Hey! I was at that concert!" The second dressing room's wallpaper was a montage of show posters, many of them autographed by the shows actors. Again - cool factor - off the charts.
And, before I forget. One other cool thing about these two dressing rooms. There is a tradition, apparently, at The Fox Theatre...artists sign the dresser drawers of their room! Take a peek at just one of the drawers we saw. (Yes, Mary Poppins was on one of them. Again, worlds colliding.)
To wrap up our Behind the Scenes media tour nicely in a bow, we ended our night with the greatest cherry on top ever -- heading backstage and onto the Fox's famous stage itself. Wow! What a treat!
Before heading on stage, you are met with a large wall of performers' 8 x 10 head shots, most of them autographed by their subjects, letting you know you are in good company performing at The Fox Theatre. And, right before you step out onto that impressive and historic stage, you are greeted over head with a classic quote by the famous Ronnie Van Zandt. Such a great touch on this backstage area.
To say this tour is impressive would be an understatement. If you are a lover of history, the City of Atlanta, or the Fox Theatre itself, you should not miss this tour. There is no other place or time in the Fox's history where you will be or have been able to see all of these areas of the Fox. They, quite simply put, have never been open to the general public before.
Nowhere else will you be able to see the Mighty Mo up close and personal. Nowhere else will you be able to stand and look out over an empty theatre and imagine you are seeing what the performers themselves see each night. Nowhere else will you see Depression-era electrical systems.
Folks, this is a chance in a lifetime tour. I promise you will not be disappointed. I am so happy I was invited and got a chance to see this tour. If you and/or your family would like to check out this historic tour too, here is the information on how you might acquire tickets. Please remember this tour is not recommended for children under the age of 7, and there are several stairs and areas not ADA accessible.
Fox Theatre Behind The Scenes Tour
For a limited time only, the Fox Theatre is offering special Fox
Theatre Behind the Scenes Tours. These tours are a 90-minute guided
program that will allow guests to experience the Fox from a different
perspective, BACKSTAGE. This tour will feature many elements of the Fox,
including refreshments in the star dressing rooms, a peek under the
stage, and culminates with photo opportunities on the Legendary Fox
Theatre stage. The Behind the Scenes Tours are not recommended for
children under 7 and no children under the age of 2 are permitted.
Everyone must have a ticket to attend the tour.
Fox Theatre Behind the Scenes Tours will take place on Tuesday, June
9, Wednesday, June 10, Sunday, June 14, Tuesday, June 16, Wednesday,
June 17, and Saturday, June 20. Please note
there are a large number of stairs and several places on the tour are
not ADA accessible.
Tickets are $45, and may be be purchased at The Fox Theatre's website.
As I wrap up this article, I will leave you with one more photo, from my Instagram feed...
Since this was a private media tour and the only one of the night, we were treated to the "closing down" of the Fox that night. And, as all good theatre patrons know, not all lights can be turned off. This one light was left lit as we left the building. Do you know why?
The
Fox Theatre opened on Christmas Day 1929, a perky tour guide named
Alexis explained during a media preview Tuesday night, and the theater
staff works hard to maintain the building’s original features and
essence. She led our group of 10 down into the lower ladies lounge and
opened a door marked “hospital” to a preserved 1920s medical room, where
a nurse once tended to injured or ailing performers. (An on-site EMT
serves this role today.) Nearby, in an odd juxtaposition of historic
and modern, sinks in the bathroom with original faucets stood opposite
Dyson hand dryers. - See more at:
http://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/what-we-saw-during-the-fox-theatres-new-behind-the-scenes-tour/#sthash.oEKoG9s5.dpuf
The
Fox Theatre opened on Christmas Day 1929, a perky tour guide named
Alexis explained during a media preview Tuesday night, and the theater
staff works hard to maintain the building’s original features and
essence. She led our group of 10 down into the lower ladies lounge and
opened a door marked “hospital” to a preserved 1920s medical room, where
a nurse once tended to injured or ailing performers. (An on-site EMT
serves this role today.) Nearby, in an odd juxtaposition of historic
and modern, sinks in the bathroom with original faucets stood opposite
Dyson hand dryers. - See more at:
http://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/what-we-saw-during-the-fox-theatres-new-behind-the-scenes-tour/#sthash.oEKoG9s5.dpuf
The
Fox Theatre opened on Christmas Day 1929, a perky tour guide named
Alexis explained during a media preview Tuesday night, and the theater
staff works hard to maintain the building’s original features and
essence. She led our group of 10 down into the lower ladies lounge and
opened a door marked “hospital” to a preserved 1920s medical room, where
a nurse once tended to injured or ailing performers. (An on-site EMT
serves this role today.) Nearby, in an odd juxtaposition of historic
and modern, sinks in the bathroom with original faucets stood opposite
Dyson hand dryers. - See more at:
http://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/what-we-saw-during-the-fox-theatres-new-behind-the-scenes-tour/#sthash.oEKoG9s5.dpuf
The
Fox Theatre opened on Christmas Day 1929, a perky tour guide named
Alexis explained during a media preview Tuesday night, and the theater
staff works hard to maintain the building’s original features and
essence. She led our group of 10 down into the lower ladies lounge and
opened a door marked “hospital” to a preserved 1920s medical room, where
a nurse once tended to injured or ailing performers. (An on-site EMT
serves this role today.) Nearby, in an odd juxtaposition of historic
and modern, sinks in the bathroom with original faucets stood opposite
Dyson hand dryers. - See more at:
http://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/what-we-saw-during-the-fox-theatres-new-behind-the-scenes-tour/#sthash.oEKoG9s5.dpuf
The
Fox Theatre opened on Christmas Day 1929, a perky tour guide named
Alexis explained during a media preview Tuesday night, and the theater
staff works hard to maintain the building’s original features and
essence. She led our group of 10 down into the lower ladies lounge and
opened a door marked “hospital” to a preserved 1920s medical room, where
a nurse once tended to injured or ailing performers. (An on-site EMT
serves this role today.) Nearby, in an odd juxtaposition of historic
and modern, sinks in the bathroom with original faucets stood opposite
Dyson hand dryers. - See more at:
http://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/what-we-saw-during-the-fox-theatres-new-behind-the-scenes-tour/#sthash.oEKoG9s5.dpuf
