News release from the Embassy Theatre:
Grande Page Pipe Organ returns to the Embassy Theatre
(June 4, 2015) – After almost 10 months in Indianapolis, the Grande Page pipe organ returned to its home on the Embassy Theatre stage today, June 4.
“We think the Grande Page looks great,” said Kelly Updike, Executive Director of the Embassy Theatre. “Thank you to the Foellinger Foundation for its funding support. The total project cost more than $77,000 dollars and the restored console was worth the wait.”
Carlton Smith Pipe Organ Restorations took the Grande Page from the Embassy on Oct. 8 to repair, rebuild and fine-tune technical aspects of the instrument. The Embassy volunteer organ crew will now work over the next week to tune and reconnect the organ to more than 1200 pipes getting it ready for
several upcoming shows.The first public performance will be June 14 at the annual Buddy Nolan Tribute Concert. Nolan was one of the Embassy’s most famous organists. This year the 7 p.m. concert will feature organist Ken Double who played the very first Buddy Nolan Tribute concert in 1978. Double has had a lengthy career in broadcasting and music and is currently the president of the American Theatre Organ Society.
Following the Buddy Nolan Tribute concert the Embassy Theatre will present three black and white silent films in which the Grande Page pipe organ will provide musical accompaniment as it did when these movies were first released. They are: June 22, Peter Pan (1924); June 29, Metropolis (1927); and July 6, Ben-Hur (1925). All movies will start at 7 p.m. Discussion will take place before and after the movie led by Jane Martin, communication professor at the University of Saint Francis School of Creative Arts.
In addition, the Grande Page pipe organ will be featured at a family-fun event called Behind the Screen. “Kids enjoy two black and white features,” said Updike, “and after the movies the kids watch the stage hands put away the big movie screen and get a peek of the backstage area. Then kids can enjoy 16 different activities from “making a marquee” to tile rubbings, to a scavenger hunt.” And on the way out everyone gets to enjoy a frozen fruit and veggie bar courtesy of Edy’s.
Grande Page Pipe Organ upcoming performances
- June 14 – Annual Buddy Nolan Tribute Concert with organist Ken Double, 7 p.m.
- June 17 – Behind the Screen: Summer Exploration at the Embassy, 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- June 22 – Peter Pan with organist Dennis James, 7 p.m.
- June 29 – Metropolis with organist Clark Wilson, 7 p.m.
- July 6 – Ben-Hur with organist Clark Wilson, 7 p.m.
The Buddy Nolan Tribute concert and the black and white movies are $8 for adults and $3 for children. Cash bar will be available. Tickets available through ticketmaster.com or in-person at the Embassy box office.
Behind the Screen is $6 per person and tickets are available through ticketmaster.com or in-person at the Embassy box office. A group rate for 10 or more is available by calling the Embassy box office at 260.424.5665.
These performances are brought to you by Hylant with additional support from Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne, the Indiana Arts Commissions, a state agency and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
About the Embassy Theatre
Built in 1928, the historic Embassy Theatre features national productions from the Broadway stage, concerts of all musical formats, cinema, educational programming and a continued commitment to young people. For more information, visit www.fwembassytheatre.org.
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