The new Richmond Center Stage complex is a pretty nice complex. We got there a bit early to walk around and check the place out. The exterior of the complex is where most of the changes took place - at least the big ones. Not only have the old Thalhimer's and Miller & Rhoad's store basically been gutted and "re-structured', but they also tore down "Sixth Street Marketplace" which was built on top of Sixth Street. So, Sixth Street is back to being an actual street again which makes the full exterior of the Carpenter Theatre visible (from the street).
Inside, the Carpenter Theatre has been fully refurbished to it's former glory - along with new seats (very roomy and comfortable), and a re-built balcony and loge section. But it basically looks, looked like I remember it looking - which is a good thing. It's a very old-fashioned interior - sort of faux-Spanish, faux-Arabian(?) decor - lots of stucco walls, and almost-Crayola-like color palate.
Acoustically speaking, I think there's still some work to be done. We had decent seats for today's concert, and while there was a nice bit of clarity to everything, nothing really seemed to "soar". Not exactly a flat sound, but it could and should be more vibrant. The piano actually got lost in the mix quite a few times during the concerto, but I think that could easily be fixed for the next pianist by simply placing the piano a little further upstage. -They installed a "cloud ceiling" - which looks like clouds (semi-Ugh!) - and I think that might have prevented the sound of the piano from projecting over the orchestra. And during the Berlioz "Symphonie Fantastique", I could tell that the sections of the orchestra that were sitting further upstage seemed to be heard more in the house. -At least to my ears. But, again, all in all, it was a good concert.
