This weekend, San Antonio’s Magik Theatre will throw back the curtain again to reveal six months of renovations.
The grand reopening for the beloved children’s theater will unveil new interior changes at Hemisfair’s historic Beethoven Hall. The Saturday, June 13, event also will feature a free “Party in the Park” for the opening day of the troupe’s latest production, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show.
Built in 1895, Beethoven Hall has housed the Magik Theatre’s productions for nearly three decades. The newly completed renovations to the facility include custom-made theater seats, a new HVAC system, safety enhancements and an overhaul of the building’s accessibility, including new accessible entrances and seating, Magik officials said.
The $2.2 million project was made possible by private donations and San Antonio’s 2022 city bond program.
Magik CEO Mel Zarb-Cousin inherited the project when she joined the team three years ago. Last year, she helped launch the theater’s “Believe in Magik” campaign to close a $300,000 budgetary shortfall.
“The San Antonio community rallied,” Zarb-Cousin said. “They know how important this organization is to the fabric of our community … . People really understand that and showed up when we needed them the most.”
Magik is turning over a new leaf with the premiere of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show in the upgraded space.
The production, set to run Saturday, June 13, to Sunday, August 2, will be directed by Collin Pittmann, Magik Theatre’s new artistic director, with puppetry coaching from Bradley Freeman, a Muppets Studio puppeteer who brings the characters Rizzo the Rat and Bean Bunny to life.
Zarb-Cousin, along with District 1 Councilmember Sukh Kaur and Hemisfair CEO Melissa Robinson, will provide remarks at this Saturday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, which starts at noon. Afterward, the gathering at Hemisfair Park will include free refreshments, activities and live music. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show will open at 2 p.m.
Zarb-Cousin said the renovation project represents the most significant overhaul of Beethoven Hall in more than 40 years, and the first time the Magik has closed down operations since moving into the building in 1997.
One of the most transformative changes is the new accessible entrance from the lobby directly into the auditorium.
“Back in 1894, accessibility was not a top priority in terms of design,” Zarb-Cousin said. “It’s just the right next step for the space. We still have a lot of work to do, but this was foundational work that really needed to happen.”
Inside the theater, Magik has quadrupled its flexible seating capacity for patrons using wheelchairs or other mobility devices. Seats can now be added or removed as needed, and Zarb-Cousin said the Magik is equipped better than ever to accommodate the next generation of young theater-goers.
“San Antonians know how important this organization is to the fabric of our community,” she said. “Not only are we serving San Antonio, but we are the theater for young audiences for all of South Texas; the nearest one is in Dallas.”
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