Countdown begins for Richmond CenterStage

When Richmond CenterStage opens in 165 days, five hours, 48 minutes and 23 seconds -- as of this writing -- it will open with performances by each of the nine arts companies that will call it home.

The timing is exact, because officials with the new performing-arts center yesterday unveiled a digital clock, counting down the days, hours, minutes and seconds until the center's grand opening.

The clock stands on Broad Street between Sixth and Seventh streets and is across from where the idea for the center was hatched in the offices of Richmond Renaissance. Local businessmen James E. Ukrop, John Bates and Beverly W. "Booty" Armstrong were looking for ways to revitalize downtown Richmond.

Armstrong looked out the window, saw empty department stores and trees growing out of buildings, and said it looked like Beirut, Ukrop said at the clock unveiling.

The development of Richmond CenterStage has already brought more activity to the area, said Ukrop, who is chairman of CenterStage Foundation, which raises funds for the building.

"Today we stand on Broad Street. To my right is the federal courts building that perhaps wouldn't have been here without our being here. On the other side is a Hilton hotel," he said.

Richmond Director of Economic Development Carthan F. Currin III said, "Richmond CenterStage is a microcosm of what is happening in downtown Richmond," also citing the recent influx of art galleries and restaurants in the area.

Keith Martin, the managing director of Richmond Ballet, announced the lineup for the grand-opening performances, which will take place Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. and again Sept. 13 at 2 p.m. The lineup is:

African American Repertory Theatre: Poems and readings of works by Langston Hughes.

Elegba Folklore Society: "Mandiati," which includes song, music and dances from South Africa.

Richmond Ballet: "Windows IV," created and choreographed by artistic director Stoner Winslett.

Richmond Jazz Society: "Generations of Jazz," popular jazz masterworks performed by five Virginia musicians.

Richmond Shakespeare: Songs and sonnets by William Shakespeare from 1509.

Richmond Symphony: The overture to "Candide," by Leonard Bernstein, and Dmitri Shostakovich's "Festive Overture," with live accompaniment by Richmond Ballet, Virginia Opera, Richmond Shakespeare and the School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community.

School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community: Excerpts from "Les Misérables" performed by students and alumni and accompanied by Richmond Symphony.

Theatre IV -- Barksdale: "Fuente Ovejuna," a 15th-century Spanish work, accompanied by the Latin Ballet of Virginia.

Virginia Opera: Selections from "La Bohème."

Tickets are $35 to $100 and will be available through Ticketmaster beginning July 1.

Contact Daniel Neman at (804) 649-6408 or .