The new Kimmel Center is the centerpiece of Philadelphia’s “Avenue of the Arts,” located along Broad Street south of City Hall. It boasts the 2,500-seat Verizon Hall, the Philadelphia Orchestra’s home; and Perelman Theater, with its innovative turntable stage. (Photo: Kimmel Center)Those who think Philadelphia is all history and tradition should prepare to be startled by a new attraction that’s about as cutting edge as it gets. Last December 18 the city pulled back the curtains on its latest pride and joy, the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, a world-class venue for music, dance, and theater.
Not only has the Kimmel Center greatly boosted Philadelphia’s performing arts profile, it also has given the city an architectural statement that has garnered rave reviews and drawn locals and visitors who do not even have tickets to a performance.
Occupying an entire city block on Broad Street a few blocks south of City Hall, the Kimmel Center is close to the Pennsylvania Convention Center and many of the hotels at which psychiatrists attending APA’s annual meeting will stay. That stretch of downtown Philadelphia has been christened the “Avenue of the Arts” and is also home to the Academy of Music and smaller theaters.
The $265 million Kimmel Center features two performing arts venues—the 2,500-seat Verizon Hall and the 650-seat Perelman Theater. The former, whose ceiling resembles an enormous cello, is the new home of the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra and the Philly Pops, led by pianist and composer Peter Nero. Eight local performing arts companies, including those involved with dance, chamber music, and theater, will use the Perelman Theater as their home base.
The striking new edifice was designed by New York architect Rafael Vinoly, who in his early years trained to be a classic pianist. Its most-identifiable feature is a huge glass-and-steel barrel vault over the entire complex that resembles the type of covering that shelters some European train stations built in the 19th century. It is lit up at night and can be seen from great distances within the city.
In addition to the two theaters, there is a restaurant, café, and stores on several levels. They center around a large, tree-lined public plaza.
In addition to the substantial size difference, the two theaters are also differentiated by shape. The Verizon Hall has a five-sided façade, and the Perelman is round.
Free tours of the Kimmel Center’s public spaces are given daily from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Several performances are scheduled at the Kimmel Center theaters during the annual meeting May 18 to 23. Among these are performances by the Philadelphia Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, and guitarist John Williams.
Information about the Kimmel Center, including purchasing tickets, can be obtained by phone at (215) 790-5800 or on the Web at www.kimmelcenter.org. ▪
Philadelphia’s leaders and art devotees hope their new performing arts center will raise the city’s arts profile closer to that of cities like New York, Boston, Chicago, and Washington.
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