By Edmond Ortiz
One of San Antonio’s key performing arts venues is open again, housed in Hemisfair’s newly refurbished, historic Beethoven Hall.
What you should know
Special guests and other community members gathered June 13 at the Magik Theatre to celebrate the reopening of the San Antonio-area’s main children’s brick-and-mortar theater following a monthslong, $3.6 million renovation of Beethoven Hall.
The city’s 2022 voter-approved bond helped to fund the improvements, which also unfolded during the final segment of another bond-supported project, the major reconstruction of nearby South Alamo Street.
Even during the temporary closure of Beethoven Hall, the Magik Theatre remained active by offering performances at schools and other sites around town, and preparing to hold a grand reopening event the same day as the launch of a new show, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.”
The celebration included a party for all ages in the surrounding park, a post-show reception, tours of Beethoven Hall and backstage access.
Magik CEO Melissa Zarb-Cousin, who began her career there as an executive assistant to theatre founder Richard Rosen, thanked officials with the city, Hemisfair, San Antonio Area Foundation and Magik Theatre supporters for helping to realize the beginning of a new era for the local children’s theater.
Zarb-Cousin likened the Magik’s relaunch to the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly.
‘“It’s fitting that we celebrate this day of our reopening alongside ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar,’ a story about growth and transformation. Like that beloved character, the Magik Theatre has emerged from this journey renewed, reimagined, and ready for what’s next,” she added.
District 1 City Councilmember Sukh Kaur, who represents the area, said the Magik Theatre’s presence contributes to the important role that the arts play in the community, especially for local youth.
“If you think about what’s going on in education right now, when budget cuts are up, the first thing to go is the art program. It’s the first thing that we lose and we have been pushing for is how do we get more kids into spaces where they can learn, connect their left and right side of their brain so that they can truly become the whole individual, which we sometimes forget is important,” she added.
Michael Shannon, director of the city’s capital delivery department, oversees implementation of bond-funded projects such as the renovation of the Magik Theatre. He said this initiative was particularly positive because of how the Beethoven Hall’s improvements coincide with the recent rebuilding of South Alamo Street. He also recalled bringing his children to see shows at the theatre years ago.
“Our job is to deliver these great program improvements through our bond program. And as mentioned, we do horizontal infrastructure like this beautiful new South Alamo complete street. But this adaptive (rehabilitation) of the Magik Theatre is so amazing. It’s such an important project for the city,” he added.
The San Antonio Area Foundation was instrumental in helping to provide financial support for the Magik Theatre through the years, including improvements at Beethoven Hall.
“The area foundation has long supported arts, culture, children, education, and belonging. In fact, in our 60-plus-year history, we have granted over $300 million to support these things in San Antonio, Bexar County, and the seven surrounding counties,” Nadege Souvenir, the area foundation’s CEO, said.
“So, it was an easy ‘yes’ to think about supporting Magik Theater in this renovation because they sit at the intersection of all of those things. They are about children and youth, and they are educating San Antonio’s future, and they are bringing families and community together and creating cultural vibrancy and importance with the art that they bring in this community.”
Hemisfair CEO Melissa Robinson said she and her team measure success at the downtown park “by the volume of laughter, and I will tell you it’s been a little quiet,” referencing the construction-driven closure of the Magik Theatre.
“But I’m really excited about it getting loud again with laughter that we have here with the kids at Magik Theater. I can also tell you that seeing kids connect and transform not only in the theater, but also in the park, it makes for a beautiful sight,” Robinson said. “Magik does an excellent job creating community, confidence, legacy, and a love of the arts in the kids.”
Upgrading a historic building while looking to the future
Representatives of the Magik Theatre said it was important to modernize yet preserve Beethoven Hall, whose origins date back to the 1890s. Despite a fire in 1913, the structure was rebuilt, expanded and hosted numerous civic organizations and events over decades.
The improvements included custom-made theatre seats, a new HVAC system, electrical and security system enhancements, and more accessible entrances and seating for mobility-challenged guests, according to a press release. The South Alamo Street project also produced a dedicated drop-off lane in front of the theater.
“These renovations build on our commitment to equitable access to the performing arts and will make Magik Theatre even more comfortable and welcoming for all patrons,” Zarb-Cousin said in a statement.
According to Zarb-Cousin, the upgrades are not just about prolonging the Beethoven Hall’s lifespan. They were also designed to demonstrate the structure’s history and durability, as well as the role that local arts organizations such as the Magik Theatre play in the community.
“(Beethoven Hall) sits at the heart of our city and one of the most important public spaces in San Antonio.But the building doesn’t change lives. People do,” Zarb-Cousin said.
“This building is a civic asset. It’s for you. It belongs to the story and the people of San Antonio. We are honored to serve as its caretakers,” she added. “We are committed to being good stewards of this remarkable place for generations to come. We will fill it with laughter, with learning with families, and we will ensure that this landmark continues to serve the public good for decades.”
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” continues through Aug. 2. The Magik Theatre is resuming other programming, such as summer camps.
