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Best Kept Arts & Entertainment Secrets
The American Museum
of Theatrical Design
Salon of the Theatres
El Capitan Theatre
in Hollywood
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Actual |
Model |
The American Museum of
Theatrical Design, Salon of theTheatres is one of
the best kept entertainment arts secrets in Orange County
and should go right to the top of your "must see"
list if you have a fascination with theatres the way they
used to be built (but infrequently still are). It was opened
in Santa Ana some nine years ago by Joseph Musil, an architectural
designer specializing in period and atmospheric, lavish and
exotic environments. Since 1969, he has provided the creative
spark, developmental prodding, and construction direction
for some of California's most exotic commercial environments.
From detailed art director's models until opening day, Musil
provides the insight and detailed understanding of both the
functional realities of a space as well as the character and
spirit of the environment while relating this to the people
who use the space.
An expert on Art Deco, Musil was the art
director for the renovation of the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood.
His projects include the Crest Theatre (Westwood), Alex Theatre
(Glendale), Universal City Walk Theatre (Studio City), Fox
West Coast (Long Beach), Fine Arts Theatre (Beverly Hills),
Port Theatre (Costa Mesa), Long Beach Community Playhouse,
and the Fantasia Theatre (Disney, Paris).
Joseph Musil's collection of theatre models
represents a vast array of theatre architecture styles. Musil
has designed and built dozens of theatre models for particular
jobs and created models in different styles to investigate
and better understand these styles. The models are created
in a variety of scales, often determined by the needs of a
project. Musil's formidable knowledge of styles and design
details is balanced by a cultivated understanding of the technical
aspects of theatre design.
Musil has designed a system of miniature
counterweights for the vertical movement of sets and drops.
He often uses scaled-down lighting systems in his models to
simulate actual-scale experience and draw the viewer into
the theatrical magic represented on stage. In presentations
in his studio, and in the current exhibition, Musil uses music
from the past, such as show tunes.
Salon of the Theatres is a treasure-trove
of theatre models and artifacts from demolished historical
theatres, is constructed as a theatrical environment, complete
with proscenium and functional stage.
The American Museum of Theatrical
Design, Salon of theTheatres
207 N. Broadway (Between W 1st & W 3rd), Santa Ana, CA
92701
Open Sat and Sun 12 noon to 4 pm - Cameras and Questions Welcome
Admission: Adults $3, Children under 14 with parents, free
This is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Corporation. Donations of any
size are appreciated.
Please no phone calls. For further information contact Salon
of the Theatres via e-mail.
Submit your suggestions for
a BEST KEPT ARTS SECRET you think we should feature. E-MAIL
TO SECRETS
Article compiled from materials supplied by Joe Musil and
assembled by Art Kirsch on 1/9/04
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