The Charlotte Observer, Sunday, March 6, 1927

CAROLINA MAPS FIRST PROGRAM

New Playhouse to Be Presented to City Monday; Abernethy to Accept.

Charlotte's newest supplement to its large group of playhouses, the $750,000 Carolina theater, located on North Tryon Street, the latest addition to the string of houses operated by the Publix Theaters corporation will formally open tomorrow night with elaborate ceremonies.

PRESENT TO CITY.

The inaugural program will be featured by the presentation of the theatre to the city of Charlotte by Warren Irvin, manager. Mayor D. M. Abernethy will accept on behalf of the people. A short talk thanking the Publix corporation for the establishment here of the luxurious theater will be made by Clarence Kuester, business manager of the Chamber of Commerce.

The Carolina Grande orchestra, the theater's permanent orchestra will make its initial bow to Charlotte on this occasion. The orchestra is directed by Robert Berne, who has previously appeared here at the Auditorium.

A Wurlitzer pipe organ has also been installed in the Carolina. Miss Fae Wilcox is the organist.

HIGH OFFICIALS.

Several executives of the Publix Theaters corporation, of which the home offices are in New York, will attend the opening of the theater, including Harry Marx, director of service, and M. J. Mullen, general purchasing agent for the corporation. Both are from New York.

Ray Alvino and his Banjo boys, a troupe of musicians that come here direct from a New York playhouse, will compose one of the acts. Mr. And Mrs. Edward Atchison, tenor and soprano, and three Paramount dancers will appear in the same act.

SONG FEATURE.

A supplement film entitled, "Songs of Southern States" will be presented with the Carolina Grande orchestra.

The Carolina theater is an example of the Spanish renaissance design of architecture. The tapestries and draperies dominant in its interior furnishings were imported from Italy, Spain and France. Heavy druggets cover the floors of both the balcony and the lower floor. The stage is 60 feet high and is built large enough to accommodate an extra large setting.

The lounging rooms are furnished in valuable antique furniture.