Fans of the Paramount Theatre are invited for a final visit before the iconic venue closes for extensive renovations. The theater will hold a Last Call open house and happy hour on Monday evening from 5 to 8 p.m., providing attendees with an opportunity to witness the progress of the renovations, enjoy discounted beverages, and view a historical artifact—a hand-painted fire curtain dating back to the theater’s inception in 1915.
This fire curtain, which served to separate the stage from the audience in case of a backstage fire, was rediscovered in the rafters during the 1970s and is considered one of the oldest surviving fire curtains in the United States.
The upcoming 11-month restoration marks the first significant overhaul of the Paramount Theatre in over fifty years, according to CEO and Executive Director Jim Ritts. The renovation plans encompass various enhancements, including improvements to accessibility, upgrades to sound and lighting systems, and a refresh of the wall ornamentation to align more closely with the theater’s original aesthetic.
“While our inner lobby and auditorium are already stunning, they do require some attention,” Ritts stated. “We aim to refresh the colors to reflect the period when the Majestic Theatre transitioned to the Paramount Theatre.”
The last major renovation took place in the late 1970s, and Ritts expressed that the current updates are long overdue. “Ideally, we would have initiated this process seven years ago, but the pandemic posed significant challenges that delayed our plans for two to three years. Now, it’s time to act. We are grateful that the theater has endured so well, but some necessary improvements are often overlooked,” he added.
Essential upgrades will include new seating and enhancements to the HVAC system, which Ritts emphasized are crucial for protecting the theater’s intricate ornamentation from the effects of temperature and humidity changes.
Additionally, the project will fulfill a long-standing goal of completing a ballroom initially envisioned in the original 1915 design. This space has historically been utilized for office and storage purposes.
“It has taken us 110 years, but we are finally completing the original plan,” Ritts remarked.
During the renovation period, programming for the Paramount will be relocated to the neighboring State Theatre, as well as other partner venues, including the Bullock Museum, Austin ISD Performing Arts Center, and Radio/East.
The Last Call open house is free, but attendees are required to RSVP.
