Famed Philadelphia Theater Undergoing $30M Renovation

PHILADELPHIA, PA —If these walls could talk...

If the walls inside the now 1,840-seat Miller Theater could talk, they would tell stories of when Katherine Hepburn performed or Sir Lawrence Olivier took the stage. These walls welcomed Helen Hayes, Sammy Davis, Jr., Al Jolson and many unnamed burlesque dancers.

These walls were once the Schubert Theater and later the Merriam Theater.

Now, these walls of the theater on 250 South Broad St. that opened in 1918 are getting a much-needed makeover to the tune of $30 million.

"The priorities for the restoration/renovation in Phase 1 are ensuring safety, restoring the roof to prevent water infiltration, and audience experience," said Alyssa Moore, communications coordinator for The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc.

The theater —known as Philadelphia’s most continuous location for touring Broadway show theatre —has changed names and also changed hands.

Now under the ownership umbrella of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc., the theater was renamed the Miller Theater in March.

The renaming was in honor of "a significant philanthropic gift" from Alan B. Miller, a founding member of the Kimmel Center Board and executive chair of Universal Health Services, Inc.

That donation is funding the "significant restoration" of the theater.

The renovation projects, which begin next year, include critical infrastructure improvements and the addition of new ADA-compliant seats.

Moore said the project scope for Phase 1 will include some, or all, of the following, depending on budget and schedule parameters:

• Roof
• South façade masonry (Bach Place)
• North façade masonry
• West façade masonry
• Theater
• Main lobby
• Lower lobby
• 3rd floor
• 4th floor
• Supporting mechanical and electrical systems for the above locations

“We are so grateful to Alan, Jill and their family for this incredibly generous gift, which will have a long-lasting impact on the theater that so many Philadelphians know and love,” said Matías Tarnopolsky, president and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc. “This extraordinary philanthropic commitment will aid in both beautification and accessibility efforts, as we revitalize this treasured space on the Kimmel Cultural Campus. In addition, I would like to thank Anne Ewers for her critical role and partnership with Mr. Miller on this important project. We look forward to welcoming generations of visitors to the Miller Theater for years to come.”

In the renovation project, all seats will be replaced, and the theater will be made ADA-compliant. Lobby areas will be added and enlarged on three levels, the Philadelphia Inquirer recently reported.

In 1972, the theater came under the ownership of the Academy of Music, and was owned by the University of the Arts. In November 2016, it was purchased by the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.

Lee and J.J. Shubert, theatrical producers and founding members of the Theatrical Syndicate, set out to build a theater memorializing their brother, Sam, who had died several years earlier in a railroad accident.

Two theaters were built, one in Philadelphia and one in New York.

The Shubert Theatre was built on the site of the demolished Horticultural (Agricultural) Hall that included the reuse of its marble staircase in the theater's interior design. The building stands seven stories high with theater on the first level and six floors used for offices and classrooms. Additions and renovations were made in 1958.

“I’ve always been an admirer and supporter of the arts and its enriching impact on life,” said Alan B. Miller in a press release on the renaming. “To be associated with The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center by offering my family’s namesake to the iconic Merriam Theater is a privilege. I am delighted to be able to support the Avenue of the Arts in this way and hope that generations to come will enjoy the experiences offered here.”

The newspaper stated that there are no plans to replace the façade. And the marble staircase will also remain a mainstay.

As far as the walls, the auditorium features murals and some lavish architectural details, the newspaper said. The originals will be preserved and cleaned.