Theatres

The Stanley Theater was built in 1927 at a cost of $3 million and opened on February 27, 1928. James Bly Clark, an early theater tycoon who assisted in the founding of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, financed its creation. Benedum Center Stage The Stanley was billed as "Pittsburgh's Palace of Amusement." In attendence on opening night were Governor John S. Fisher, Mayor Charles H. Kline and Adolph Zukor, president of Paramount Studios. Regular admission cost 65 cents - 25 cents if you came before noon - and performances provided a welcome lift of spirits during the Great Depression. Benedum Center Exterior The theater was purchased and remodeled by the Cinemette Corporation in 1976, and in 1977, DiCesare Engler Productions bought the Stanley to present rock and roll concerts through 1982. Benedum Center Interior The late H.J. Heinz II focused his attention on the historic restoration of the Stanley Theater, and as a result, this became The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's first project after its founding in 1984. Benedum Balcony The $43 million dollar restoration would take approximately two years, faithfully restoring the Benedum Center to look as the Stanley did on opening night in 1928. Benedum Interior By following the very strict restoration standards set by the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Commonwealth Bureau of Historic Preservation and the Historic Review Commission of Pennsylvania, the building is registered with the National Register of Historic Places. Benedum Center for the Performing Arts A project of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust 719 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222

The mission of the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater is to provide a community theater facility and to encourage diverse artistic, cultural and educational activities that will enrich the community as well as the lives of individuals. The Kelly-Strayhorn Theater is a performing arts venue located in the racially diverse urban neighborhood of East Liberty, drawing its audience from all of Pittsburgh. We are an accessible cultural and educational resource, and an important part of the plan for the community's revitalization. The Kelly-Strayhorn fosters a positive multi-cultural community identity, and generates an appreciable economic and cultrual impact by filling a void in Pittsburgh for a professionally-equipped, 350-seat multiple-use theater. As a moderately priced, informal, intimate performance venue, the Kelly-Strayhorn is an ideal place for regional artists and arts organizations to take risks and try out new work. We are also a warm and welcoming place in which emerging local artists can establish a presence and build a following in the Pittsburgh arts community. We are strategically situated at the eastern terminus of the rapidly-evolving "Penn Avenue Arts Corridor," which allows us to play a significant role in the self-realization of several of Pittsburgh's East End communities. Robert Neu, Executive Director 5941 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15206 Phone: (412)363-3000 Fax: (412)363-3416