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Thursday, March 18 at 8 p.m. – Restoring a Masterpiece: The Renovation of the Eastman Theatre

(Rochester, NY) – On Thursday, March 18 at 8 p.m. and again on Sunday, March 21 at 12 p.m. WXXI-TV (DT21.1/cable1011 & 11) presents a sneak peek at its latest production in the works, Restoring a Masterpiece: The Renovation of the Eastman Theatre. During the broadcast, viewers will learn about a special screening of the full documentary, which will be held at the Eastman Theatre on April 13, 2010.

Can a building make a difference in the life of a city? 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.

Restoring a Masterpiece: The Renovation of the Eastman Theatre captures the fascinating story of this historic building and documents its restoration. 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. Historic photographs, film, and video (including live performances from the Eastman School and the RPO amongst others) are featured.

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