Kimmel Center Recital Theater Dedicated to Raymond and Ruth Perelman
Perelman Theater to Open December 14, 2001
December 7, 2000
In recognition of a $5 million gift from Philadelphia philanthropists Raymond G. and Ruth Perelman, the 650-seat recital theater at the new Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts has been named Perelman Theater. The gift was given in December 1997 toward the Center's capital campaign. The Kimmel Center will open on December 14, 2001.
"The Perelmans' leap of faith in making their extraordinary commitment in November 1997, six months before the design was unveiled, came at a crucial time and set an example which spurred several million dollar gifts from others in the ensuing months," said RPAC President Stephanie W. Naidoff. "It truly provided a turning point in our campaign."
A Philadelphia native, Raymond Perelman is president of Belmont Industries. Mr. and Mrs. Perelman have long supported numerous local and national charitable organizations including the United Way, the Albert Einstein Health Care Network and The National Museum of American Jewish History. Mr. Perelman is a member of RPAC's Board of Directors. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and a member of the Board of Governors at Temple University Hospital.
"I wanted to do something special for Philadelphia, and this project is vital to the city's growth," says Mr. Perelman. "When I saw the architect's model, I knew that this project would be one of the most important things ever to come to Philadelphia. Ruth and I are proud to be a part of it."
The Perelman Theater, future home of the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Philadanco, Concerto Soloists Chamber Orchestra and American Theater Arts for Youth, will be a multi-use, technologically advanced recital hall and theater. Its state-of-the-art design includes a 75-foot-diameter turntable stage which transforms from recital hall, ideal for chamber groups and orchestras, to a deep stage with a full flyloft capable of supporting mid-sized theatrical productions and dance performances. In addition, the theater's floor-level section of seats retracts to accommodate seating for cabaret and dinner theater as well as experimental performances.
Opening in December 2001, The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts will join the Academy of Music in forming the Regional Performing Arts Center. Now under construction, the Rafael Viñoly-designed Kimmel Center will include the 2,500-seat Verizon Hall, future home of The Philadelphia Orchestra.
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