Lefrak theater to open May 30

Real Estate Weekly, June 5, 2002

The Samuel J. and Ethel LeFrak Theater will open on May 30 at the American Museum of Natural History following a renovation and restoration generously funded by an $8 million grant from the Samuel J. and Ethel LeFrak Charitable Foundation.

The newly renamed 926-seat LeFrak Theater -- the Museum's main auditorium -- has been restored to the full grace and distinction of its late 19th-century design by Josiah Cleaveland Cady, fitted with an elegant entrance lobby opening onto the Hall of Northwest Coast Indians, all new furnishings, and upgraded technical systems. This popular space will immediately resume its prominent position as a venue for scientific lectures meetings, and public programs.

The groundbreaking conference Assembling the Tree of Life: Science, Relevance, and Challenges will be the first major public and scientific event held in the new LeFrak Theater. It will be followed, from June 2 through June 23, by The Best of IMAX, a film festival presenting the Museum's all-time favorite large-format films on the giant screen.

"We are deeply grateful to the LeFrak family for its generous support of the restoration of our historic theater, now an architecturally magnificent, state-of-the-art facility that is central to the Museum's mission of educating the public about science and world cultures," said Museum president Ellen V. Futter. "Attracting a broad range of visitors, the newly restored LeFrak Theater serves as a crucial forum showcasing the Museum's role as a dynamic leader in the exchange of ideas about the most important issues of our time."