The Chronicles of Jason: December 2021

Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center in the Kristen Chenoweth Theatre
Thursday, December 16, 2021

Simple trip through a sliver of Texas (we stopped in Paris for lunch), and then onto another modern venue in Broken Arrow, OK, neatly arranged and lots of space. If you don't know who Kristen Chenoweth is, you should look her up. She's a lovely human being and a great performer. She is a native of Broken Arrow.

This large center opened in 2009 and seats 1,500.

Though our hotel was 2.5 miles from the theater, my friend Ryan and I decided to walk. Though it was chilly, it was sunny, and it was a nice walk.

When we arrived at the theater, we got to make a little video for Kristen Chenoweth--who apparently loves to get videos from the touring casts. She apparently also sends back a private video. I haven't seen a response yet, but would be cool if we get one.

It was a fine crowd, not as full as I'd hoped, but what can I do.

Lots of great shows and artists have performed here, and they were all on big posters in a hallway in the backstage area.

A lot of great singers like Sandi Patty, Amy Grant, and David Phelps seem to frequent this place! Very nice to get to relax here for one night.

Also, randomly, my cousin Tonya was able to make it to this performance -- she's NEVER seen me in anything. That was fun!

Hopefully you're prepared for the next post...because it's going to be a doozy. St. Louis (and specifically the Fox Theatre) was something we have been talking about this entire tour. It did not disappoint!

The Strand Theatre
Wednesday, December 15, 2021

I was excited to go to Shreveport, because it would be the first time I'd get to perform in my birth state of Louisiana. If you didn't know, I was born and raised in Louisiana. A few years ago on tour with Rudolph, we played Baton Rouge, but sadly I'd hurt my back so badly that I couldn't do the show.

We drove through the entire state of Mississippi on our trip; it was a long 7.5 hour drive to Louisiana. It went okay!

Inside the Mississippi Welcome Center--

So--the theater is amazing. I was very impressed. Classic and old and beautiful...if not a bit strange. But that's perfect!

In May 1923, the Shreveport Times reported that a 2,500 seat opera house was going to be built at a cost of $750,000. After 19 months of construction, the Strand opened on July 3, 1925. As you see above, it is not only listed on the National Register of Historic Places but is also designated the Official theatre of the state! Very cool.

From the website: The "Million Dollar Theatre" was air conditioned, and in the early days had its own full-time orchestra on staff. During the War Years, all but three of the magnificent chandeliers were removed and sent to New Orleans during kilowatt rationing. In 1951, in keeping with trends of that period, the original marquee was removed and replaced with a twelve-foot veritcal neon sign, and a turquoise facade was added. In 1954 the opera boxes were removed to facilitate CinemaScope motion pictures. John Wayne and William Holden were special guests at The Strand for their new movie premiere The Horse Soldier in 1959.

During 7 years of painstaking restoration, the lost chandeliers were copied from photos, the opera boxes were replaced, the original marquee was replicated, and the exterior was sandblasted to the original facade. In December 1984 The Strand re-opened to the sounds of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra.

The Strand interior includes ornate box seats, gilt edged mirrors, and colors of deep burgundy and rich gold. It also features a magnificent ceiling and dazzling chandeliers, including the massive fourteen-foot tall main chandelier hanging in the center of the theater, as well as the six murals of the "Muses of the Strand," recreated by local artist Donna Moore in 1993.

Now let's go INSIDE!