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Majestic Makeover: Revamping a Madison Classic

 
Continued...

Roney and his bandmates celebrated the release of their first album “Heights of the Heavens” in November at the Majestic. Roney chose the Majestic because he loves coming back to Madison and understood a renovated theater’s positive effect on an artist.

seating area
Matthew Wisniewski/Curb
 
The rich, new colors of the Majestic give the venue an upscale feel.

“To be in a place that’s aesthetically beautiful makes it great to perform,” he said. “A big part of it for performers is getting into the mindset…Playing in a beautiful place means you’ll perform better.”

However, it’s important to keep the history alive when changing a historic theater’s appearance. If a theater loses too much of its past, patrons could miss out on an extraordinary experience.

“You want to see something important happen in an important place,” Roney said. “Nobody wants to see an act that’s doing something in a perfectly restored 18th century playhouse.”

Gerding and Leslie have replaced the club funk with the theater’s former regality. They have refined it without losing its original design. They may have built a theater primed for live music, but they hope to recreate some traditions of the Majestic that aren’t music-related.

Now having access to a projector, the owners would love to show films at the theater inspired by its years as a cinema. Calling them “Brew and Views,” the Majestic would play cult classics, like Rocky Horror Picture Show, a long-running showing in the theater’s past. The Cherry Pop Burlesque might even hit the stage one day.

sound board
Matthew Wisniewski/Curb
 
A new sound system makes "Soundlab" better quality for the hipster dance crowd.

Gerding and Leslie have already reintroduced dance parties reminiscent of Club Majestic. Every Friday night the Majestic hosts “Soundlab,” spinning hits with an indie and retro theme for a crowd more hipster than hip-hop.

Clearly, the Majestic isn’t resting on its title as the oldest running theater in Madison. After reshaping itself for every trend, the theater is going back to the basics it was built on 101 years ago.

“Bringing back that tradition is important to us,” Gerding said, followed by a quick goodbye. He then returned to moving boxes before the evening show, striving to make his and Leslie’s Majestic Theatre a venue worthy of its royal name, known not only for what it’s been, but also for where it’s going.the end

 
 
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