Congress Avenue in Austin has seen its fair share of changes over the years. One thing that’s remained constant is the historic Paramount Theatre. Built in 1915 as the Majestic, it has housed its fair share of history. Vaudeville acts and silent movies were all the rage at the Paramount back in the 1910s and 1920s. Fast-forward a hundred or so years, and the theatre has stood the test of time.
“You’re here to see one of the great rock and roll shows. You’re here to see great comedy. You’re here to see everything that runs the gamut when it comes to live performance,” said Austin Theatre Alliance Executive Director Jim Ritts.
Ritts has a passion for live shows and heads up the group that operates the Paramount Theatre. He knows every nook and cranny inside the theatre and the performers who helped make it famous.
“Kathryn Hepburn had a movie, ‘The Philadelphia Story.’ It had its southwest premiere here. Then, I think it was two years later she performed in the stage version at the Paramount Theatre,” said Ritts.
Soon, another group of artists will grace the stage and everywhere else inside the theatre. Their talents include things like paint and plaster. They’ll give the Paramount a much-needed facelift.
“We’re doing the first full restoration of the Paramount Theatre since 1979,” said Ritts.
Starting in June, The Shine On Capital Campaign will include a revamp of the theatre’s front lobby, replacing and refreshing fabric on the walls, and giving the mural depicting Saint Cecilia on the ceiling in front of the stage a makeover.
“This entire project is: how do we protect the Paramount Theatre for the next 100 years? There is nothing we’re tearing down and no structural change,” said Ritts.
He also said the famous hole in the ceiling from one of magician Harry Houdini’s acts back in 1916 will remain unchanged.
“People care deeply about the Houdini hole, and so do we,” said Ritts.
The Paramount is expected to reopen in early 2027 following restoration work.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source spectrumlocalnews.com ’
