A Bigger and Better Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Re-Opens After $9.5 Million Renovation Following Hurricane Ike

A Bigger and Better Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Re-Opens After $9.5 Million Renovation Following Hurricane Ike

Adds 2,000 New Seats and Expanded Canopy

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, May 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The hurricane-ravaged Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands has undergone a massive $9.5 million rebuilding since September 2008, and is proud to announce the reopening of its newly renovated facility just in time to celebrate its 20th Performing Arts Season that kicked off this month.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090514/DA16898)

"The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is one of the most extraordinary outdoor facilities," said George P. Mitchell, Founder of The Woodlands. "The redesign and expansion will only increase its viability as one of the premier performing arts centers in the country."

The Pavilion now boasts an even bigger and better canopy, a new sound system for the lawn and additional covered seating. The noted designer Horst Berger, who designed the original structure 20 years ago, came out of retirement to create the new tinseled roof structure. A project requiring the use of a 310-foot tower crane, new concrete foundations and 148 foot steel structures to hold it in place, the dramatic new canopy is 2.5 times the size of the original, has six peaks, added 2,000 new seats and increased the number of seats under cover to 6,387.

Commemorating 20 years of outstanding arts programming, The Pavilion will soon be presenting its 20th Season Ovation with a lineup of events bursting with culture, patriotism, dance, classical music, old favorites, innovative works and more. In addition to eight exhilarating performances by the Houston Symphony, including the annual Star-Spangled Salute and Hocus Pocus Pops, The United States Army Field Band & Soldiers' Chorus makes its Pavilion debut. Houston Ballet returns with a mixed-repertory program featuring Act II of "Swan Lake," "Jardi Tancat" and "Falling Angels." And the 14th Annual Children's Festival erupts with family fun.

About The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion:

Surrounded by lush forests, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is an outdoor amphitheater that provides the Greater Houston region with an array of performing arts and contemporary entertainment in a setting of unparalleled beauty. The Pavilion is owned and operated by The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands, a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization, and governed by a volunteer board of directors.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090514/DA16898
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: George P. Mitchell

CONTACT: Dancie Ware or Christie Peeler, +1-713-224-9115, both for
George P. Mitchell

Web Site: http://www.woodlandscenter.org/

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