For the first time since November 2013, we snooped around the inside of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. But this time, we got to bring our video cameras.
Just two weeks after the center released its CNL Arts Plaza rendering - touted as Orlando's future "town square" -- we geared up for our all-access tour inside the facility.
The destination -- called DPPAC for short -- will include two performance theaters, a community theater, outdoor plaza and performance space, rehearsal rooms, banquet space, administrative offices, educational facilities and future commercial development.
To get inside the center, we walked through what will become the CNL Arts Plaza. Right now, it's just a big ol' plot of dirt and construction equipment. Landscaping hasn't begun, but it will eventually have a green space ideal for outdoor concerts surrounded by to-be-determined restaurants, bars, and businesses that could make this plaza your new after-work hangout.
Entering the center, I felt I had to look around for "Jack" from the Titanic. The spiral grand staircase is, frankly, way more grand than the movie's. Tilting my head back and looking up the center of it, the ceiling looked a mile high. DPPAC has 5 levels.
Our tour guide lead us to the wave wall next. Scaffolding has been removed, so I could actually see the sleek texture. This wall - which curves like a "wave -- is mammoth. When completed, it will change colors depending on the seasons or major local event. For example, it may turn pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, or red and green for Christmas, etc. Since the center has a lot of glass walls, the whole place will often take on a new "look."
Our tour guide said a huge bar will go at the base of the wave wall.
Entering the Walt Disney Theater was like entering the most advanced, state-of-the art theater possible. Maybe it's because I've seen the renderings, but - even with scaffolding - the grandiose scale and design just about knocked my wind out. We even got to stand on stage, which had so many secret drops and doors that performers could probably pull any "trick" they could dream of.
The box seats to the sides of the stage are also in construction.
The Alexis & Jim Pugh community theater fits 300 people. It's tight and intimate - the perfect recipe for small productions. They couple, Alexis and Jim, even made their hand-prints in the cement.
The center needs to be ready by November 6 for grand opening.That's 6 months away, so count on us to show you the progress! We already know the Broadway Season lineup, but outdoor concerts and other acts should be announced shortly.