Marquee Benedum
Unionized stagehands at Pittsburgh’s Benedum Center for the Performing Arts are waxing nostalgic for the old marquee whose guts soon are to enter the digital age. But in attempting to make their argument for preserving, in toto, the historic message board, the facts cement the rationale for its upgrade.
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, which bought The Stanley Theatre and renovated it nearly 30 years ago, will incorporate a high-resolution digital display into a marquee superstructure that will be restored to its original grandeur. LED lighting will replace traditional light bulbs around the perimeter.
The city’s Historic Review Commission has approved the $500,000 project. Even Pittsburgh’s grand marshal for all things historic preservation — Arthur Ziegler, president of Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation — supports the change.
Members of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 3 are lamenting the project. Some cite aesthetics. Others cite the “loss” of history (never mind the nifty restoration). Still others fear job losses.
But here’s the kicker: Updating the current plastic letter tiles that announce upcoming shows takes up to four unionized stage hands up to four hours. And that’s done up to 100 times a year.
‘Tis hardly the emulatable exercise in productivity. We’re sure the Benedum and the Cultural Trust can find far more productive uses for these stagehands.
