The historic downtown Clearwater theater run by Ruth Eckerd Hall underwent a colossal $10.7 renovation last year, much of the funds going to re-building it as a two-story venue with a brand new second-floor wraparound balcony and third-floor rooftop terrace. The updated Mediterranean-Revival architecture evokes the Capitol’s past, and elements of its history are kept intact via the “Wall of Honor” memorial. Among other improvements, the theater now features new seats, and more of them (from 450 to 737), state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, a boatload of restrooms, a real box office and concession stands, and a spacious lobby with a full-liquor lounge. facebook.com/atthecap
This article appears in Sep 18-24, 2014.