Renovations at the Capitol Theatre must be done in time for pre-Christmas performances of The Nutcracker.
So the Salt Lake County Council moved Tuesday to keep the project on its tight timetable, releasing $3 million to begin phase one of a $33.4 million public/private endeavor to give the century-old theater a face-lift and to erect a new Ballet West dance academy building adjacent to it.
Starting in June, demolition crews will begin punching holes in walls, tearing out the stage and orchestra pit, removing 1,819 well-worn seats and stripping the lobby down to the frame.
Ballet West was responsible for raising $13.5 million for the project, which includes development of the Jessie Eccles Quinney Center for Dance. The five-story structure will be home to the ballet and an academy with up to 600 dance students. Salt Lake Tribune
