Arts center names program

The new downtown Regional Performing Arts Center officially announced the program for its inaugural season at a luncheon on Thursday at the Ritz-Carlton's Grand Ballroom downtown. RPAC will be a two-building arts hub, encompassing the existing Academy of Music and the new 450,000 square-foot Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, which will officially open its doors in December. "We will present night after night of performers," RPAC Chairman Willard Rouse said. It is "our responsibility to do [so] for the citizens of this city." The season will feature performers from around the world, in genres such as classical music, jazz and dance. Among the performers are the New York Philharmonic and jazz great Wynton Marsalis. Marsalis was given an honorary degree at Penn's Commencement last May. In addition to the performances by outside groups, the center will serve as home to eight of Philadelphia's performing arts organizations, including the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Philadelphia Ballet. When it opens, Kimmel will be the "nation's newest, most acoustically advanced" music hall," RPAC President Stephanie Naidoff said. Kimmel will also include restaurants and rehearsal space. The building is comprised of Verizon Hall, a state of the art concert hall, and Perelman Theater, a recital hall. Both are housed under a 150-foot glass roof. The $255-million center will be "a world class performing arts center for the citizens of Philadelphia," Rouse said. In addition to being a world class center, the RPAC will serve as an economic, cultural and community center. Started under former Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell, the center will provide an additional $73 million in revenue and 1,350 jobs for Pennsylvania. The center will also provide opportunities for education and lifelong learning. "Unlike some investments today, this is a sure thing," Naidoff said. The RPAC will also partner with many Philadelphia media outlets to spread the word about the new center. The first performance, on December 16, will be broadcast live by WPVI Channel 6. "Throughout history, performing arts centers [have been] the heart of great cities," Naidoff said. Tickets for the events will not be cheap, however. Tickets for the orchestra range from $116 to $448, and tickets for other performances range from $75 to $278.