Restoring a Masterpiece: Screening Event at Eastman Theatre

Interior shot of the Eastman Theatre

Restoring a Masterpiece: The Renovation of the Eastman Theatre premieres this June.

On Tuesday, April 13 WXXI, The Eastman School of Music, and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra hosted a screening of WXXI's latest production – Restoring a Masterpiece: The Renovation of the Eastman Theatre – at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. The celebration was reminiscent of what it was like to see a motion picture at the Eastman Theatre during the 1930s. Before the screening there was a music presentation, a short book discussion, and screening of a newsreel from the 1930s. More than 800 people attended. Below are some photos from the event.

Restoring a Masterpiece: The Renovation of the Eastman Theatre, co-produced by WXXI and Eastman School of Music, is a one-hour documentary that captures the fascinating story of the Eastman Theatre and documents its recent restoration. Narrated by Rochester native, actor and director Philip Seymour Hoffman, the film includes historic photographs, film, and video – including live performances from the Eastman School of Music and the RPO among others.

Rochester’s Eastman Theatre was built as a silent movie theatre in the years just before “talkies” changed the entire movie going experience. Yet “The Eastman,” as it is known locally, fulfilled a vision to be a center for arts and culture for the City of Rochester. It became home to a prominent music school and philharmonic orchestra. It launched careers, hosted stars, and stood the test of time. With its major renovation completed, the new Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre is poised to be a jewel in the crown of a new downtown Rochester.

Shot in high-definition, the one-hour documentary showcases the intricate renovation of a building that is itself a work of art. At the same time, it tells the story of the intertwined histories of the Eastman School of Music and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), and demonstrates how a building can have a new life in the restoration of an historic downtown.

Production funding for Restoring a Masterpiece is provided by The Pike Company, PAETEC, Louise Epstein, and Keith and Betsy Wilson.

Restoring a Masterpiece: The Renovation of the Eastman Theatre premieres this June on WXXI-TV and PBS stations across the country.