Irvine seating to be reduced

Renovations will createRenovations will create'best music hall' in city The seating in Irvine Auditorium will be reduced from 1,800 to 1,250, in order to convert the building into a "superior" music hall, according to Vice President of Facilities Management Art Gravina. Provost Stanley Chodorow said the purpose of the Irvine renovations -- which are a part of ongoing work on the Perelman Quadrangle project -- is "to create a first-class music hall/music theater." "That requires that we alter the effective shape of the hall, losing the seating in the wing balconies," he said. "The wings of the hall are what destroy its acoustics." These changes will most likely occur within the next two years, he said. Chodorow explained that the renovations will increase student organization space and backstage space for performers. In addition, the hall will be restored to its original physical condition. But there is some concern as to where Convocation, Baccalaureate and large concerts which were traditionally held in Irvine will be held in the future. Chodorow said the University will have to "find another space for the very few large-scale meetings we hold each year." "We'll do it in time," he said. According to Gravina, the administration does not know exactly where this venue could be located, since there is no space big enough on campus to serve as a replacement. He added that he doubts a new building will be built to accommodate this need. Gravina stressed that the renovations will result in a much better hall for music, theater, movies and guest speakers. "We believe that this renovation will make Irvine the best music hall in Philadelphia, and this will make it a much sought-after place for concerts and other activities," Chodorow said. Student reaction to the renovations has been mixed. While some are thrilled that sound will improve, others worry about the effects the reduction of space in Irvine will have on students and the University as a whole. Wharton junior Rich Archer, co-director of Connaissance, said the plan is good "looking from the point of view of trying to improve sound." "However, Connaissance events most of the time sell out and losing seats is not optimal," he added. Archer also expressed concern that students will be disappointed when the events they want to attend are sold out before they can purchase tickets. "But at the same time you have to look at quality of venue for bringing Al Gore and presidential debates," he added on a more optimistic note. "If we have a top-flight venue then the people are more likely to come," he said. "It's a two-way street. On one hand [we] have better chance of getting the best speakers and performers, but on the other hand it's sad that fewer people will get to see them." College senior Craig Ebbs, director of the Student Planning and Events Committee, expressed doubt about the ability to create a "first-class music hall out of Irvine." "Irvine is not designed to be that space," he said. "It is designed for the pipe organ and I still have doubts. But anything has to be better than how it is now."