Becker: Current Theaters too small for Touring Broadway Acts

None by Elizabeth Ziegler

(KCPW News) Responding to reports that Salt Lake City's existing theaters are big enough to draw top-tier acts, Theater Action Committee Chairman Bill Becker says simply: They're not.

"Where that show goes, particularly a show that is coming out of a successful Broadway run, depends first and foremost on the size and configuration of the stage," Becker says. "Except for the smallest of touring Broadway shows, the Capitol Theatre, as well as Kingsbury, are not adequate in size to handle those kinds of shows."

In addition to small stages, he says both Salt Lake City venues have seating capacities smaller than the vast majority of theaters in 50 comparable cities that attract first-run touring Broadway productions. Becker compiled the list during his committee's search for a suitable site to build a $50 million, 2,400-seat, state-of-the-art theater in downtown Salt Lake City. While expensive for the city to construct, Becker says such a theater could generate $2 million annually.

"This kind of activity has all kinds of indirect benefits to the community that can really go a long ways toward revitalizing an area," Becker says. "And I believe firmly that's in fact what will be an offshoot and an important benefit from locating a new large theater in the middle of the downtown cultural district."

Becker says the Theater Action Committee is narrowing its list of potential sites. He anticipates submitting a proposal to city council shortly.

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