Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Carole Mikita Reporting The historic but vacant Utah Theatre on Salt Lake's Main Street may come to life again if three entities come together in an agreement.
Rick Howa of Howa Construction owns the old theatre; he's looking at a partnership with Clear Channel that brings the Broadway shows into town. They both hope Salt Lake County is interested in operating the space.
Even in a state of disrepair the historic entrance hallway of the old Utah Theatre remains elegant, speaking of days when it was a destination, a hub of excitement in downtown Salt Lake City. It was actually one in a series of Pantages Theatres around the country, Vaudeville houses in the 1920s and cinemas in the 1940s. Other Pantages Theatres have undergone renovation.
Utah's Broadway season is sponsored by Clear Channel, a national multi-billion dollar entertainment giant. Right now those shows come to the Capitol Theatre with audience space not quite 1900, not enough for some of those touring companies.
Dru Damico, Howa Construction: "Salt Lake cannot currently handle the largest touring Broadway shows and we believe the state of Utah deserves the best theatre in the country."
But more theatres mean competition for the existing arts organizations. Ballet West and the Utah Opera at first objected to the renovation; after discussions with Clear Channel, they see a willingness to partner.
Dru Damico: "The health of the ballet and opera are vital to the state of Utah. Our plan ensures that they thrive."
Though the old stage and seats are gone, some of the beautiful molding and paint still exist, and Howa Construction believes the Utah Theatre should be preserved for future generations. How and when that will be done remain the questions.
An idea of making the renovation a bond election issue has not been decided. Howa is also considering private investors -- if a deal can't be made, Howa will also consider simply tearing the old theatre down.
