Saenger chandelier makes maiden voyage outside historic theatre

It hasn’t lit up the beautiful interior of the Saenger Theatre since.

On Monday, June 27, the chandelier was taken down from the ceiling, dismantled, carried out the back stage door, and placed on a truck bound for New Haven, Conn. A company specializing in lighting, Grand Light Lighting and Design of New Haven, will be in charge of cleaning the 144 crystals, replacing hundreds of light bulbs, and completely rewiring the chandelier, which stands eight feet tall and 12 feet in diameter, according to Chris Penton, performing arts manager for the Saenger.

The process will keep the chandelier in New Haven for roughly eight months. And a few months away from the Azalea City will be a much-deserved vacation for the Saenger’s prized decoration, considering it hasn’t left the trompe l’oeil ceiling of the Theatre in 88 years.

According to Patty Thompson, event manager for the Saenger, the chandelier was actually built, "crystal by crystal” in the Theatre and has never left. In fact, until recently, the only method of moving the chandelier was a wooden hand crank, that, according to Penton, took about 20 turns to produce even an inch of vertical movement.

Fortunately the company in charge of dismantling the chandelier for shipment, Stage Rigging Services, was able to install a motor in the ceiling, replacing the wooden crank.
In order to raise funds for the costly endeavor, the Saenger has put on a series of concerts known as "Live from Space,” (referring to the Saenger’s sister venue, Space 301). The proceeds from these shows, which have included artists such as Beverly Jo Scott, Will Kimbrough, and coming up in July, Elliot Morris, go toward the chandelier fund.

The renovations will cost around $100,000, although the "Live from Space” series, in addition to donations, has already raised $30,000 according to Thompson. Funds raised for renovation will also include the "Horseshoe” lights that wrap around the portions of the ceiling that encompass the chandelier.

The Performing Arts Committee, a subcommittee for the non-profit organization that operates the Saenger Theatre, the Center for the Living Arts, has been pivotal in leading the chandelier endeavor. Not only have they overseen the "Live from Space” series, they were also in charge of searching both locally and nationally for a company that could handle the hefty chandelier renovation task, which they found in Grand Lighting.

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