Suzanne Roberts Theater
Encyclopedia
The Suzanne Roberts Theatre is a new theatre
on Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts
. The theater opened in October 2007 and is home to the Philadelphia Theatre Company
. The theater was designed by KieranTimberlake, using the principles of Universal design
. The theater's signage facade was produced by Zahner
in Kansas City, Missouri.
It is named after Suzanne Roberts (born Suzanne Fleisher in 1921), a former actress, playwright, and director who is currently the host of the TV program, "Seeking Solutions with Suzanne," which airs on CN8 and CNN Headline News
. Her husband, Ralph J. Roberts
founded Comcast
and her son, Brian L. Roberts
is Comcast's current CEO.
From 1982 up until the opening of its 2007/2008 season in the new venue, the Philadelphia Theatre Company had been a resident performer at the Plays and Players Theatre
.
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
on Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts
Avenue of the Arts, Philadelphia
The Avenue of the Arts is a segment of Broad Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that includes many of the city's cultural institutions, most notably the theater district south of City Hall....
. The theater opened in October 2007 and is home to the Philadelphia Theatre Company
Philadelphia Theatre Company
The Philadelphia Theatre Company is a 501 non-profit theater company located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1974 as The Philadelphia Company by Robert Hedley and Jean Harrison. The company has produced over 100 world and Philadelphia premieres and has hosted dozens of nationally...
. The theater was designed by KieranTimberlake, using the principles of Universal design
Universal design
Universal design refers to broad-spectrum ideas meant to produce buildings, products and environments that are inherently accessible to both people without disabilities and people with disabilities....
. The theater's signage facade was produced by Zahner
Zahner
Zahner or A. Zahner Company is an architectural metal & glass company located in Kansas City, Missouri.-History and Company Information:...
in Kansas City, Missouri.
It is named after Suzanne Roberts (born Suzanne Fleisher in 1921), a former actress, playwright, and director who is currently the host of the TV program, "Seeking Solutions with Suzanne," which airs on CN8 and CNN Headline News
CNN Headline News
HLN, formerly known as CNN Headline News and CNN2, is a cable television news channel based in the United States and a spinoff of the cable news television channel, CNN. Initially airing tightly-formatted 30-minute newscasts around the clock, since 2005, the channel has increasingly aired long-form...
. Her husband, Ralph J. Roberts
Ralph J. Roberts
Ralph Joel Roberts is the co-founder of Comcast Communications and was its chief executive officer for 46 years. As of 2011 he serves as founder and chairman emeritus of Comcast's board of directors. His son, Brian L...
founded Comcast
Comcast
Comcast Corporation is the largest cable operator, home Internet service provider, and fourth largest home telephone service provider in the United States, providing cable television, broadband Internet, and telephone service to both residential and commercial customers in 39 states and the...
and her son, Brian L. Roberts
Brian L. Roberts
Brian L. Roberts is Chairman/CEO of Comcast, an American company providing cable, entertainment, and communications products and services. He is the son of Comcast co-founder Ralph J. Roberts.-Life and career:...
is Comcast's current CEO.
From 1982 up until the opening of its 2007/2008 season in the new venue, the Philadelphia Theatre Company had been a resident performer at the Plays and Players Theatre
Plays and Players Theatre
Plays and Players Theater, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is one of the oldest nonprofessional theater companies in the United States, founded in 1911. The theater building was designed and constructed in 1912 by Philadelphia architect Amos W. Barnes as a dramatic school, but soon was used as a...
.
Features
The Suzanne Roberts Theatre features:- Box Office with street access
- 360-seat traditional proscenium auditorium and mezzanine
- Welcoming two-story lobby and mezzanine level reception area
- State-of-the-art lighting and sound facilities for productions, workshops, readings, and educational programming