globe theatre neon second act: ‘the scarlet letters’?
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Back in early November, neon watch-dog and connoisseur Eric Lynxwiler (tour guide of the popular Los Angeles Neon Cruise) contacted angelenic when Broadway’s Globe Theatre lost its neon insignia… again.
The historic gold “GLOBE” letters that have long crowned the marquee were removed by the building’s controversial owner who promised the LA Conservancy his intentions were to restore and relight them.
Similar promises were made a few years ago when the letters originally disappeared. The aged fixtures were later reinstalled with no upgrades.
Most expected a similar outcome this time around, but today we were all proven wrong.
The once-golden neon gems have been returned to their perch atop the marquee and beautifully revived with a rich scarlet finish, seemingly to match the continents of the sign’s iron globe.
Even though the restored landmark is not lit yet after dark (we waited to get that shot), the Globe Theatre is doing its part to contribute to the Bringing Back Broadway initiative, although no additional building renovations are planned at this time.
We hope the skinless marquee and the rest of the ramshackle building will soon follow, but something tells us we are lucky to get this much.
-historic globe theatre neon signs gone?
-Bringing Back a Broadway Sign (blogdowntown)
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3 comments
Jeez, it wouldn’t take too much to put a blank piece of translucent plexiglass in the marquee, and cover up those ugly fluorescent lights…
Here’s hoping the owners restore the formerly grand Morsoco Theatre (now the Globe) and take it out of the hands of the club owner. This would be the PERFECT mid-sized venue for road shows and local productions!
I suppose I should be grateful the lettering is back, but it’s kinda obvious the owner is having the sign relit by the lowest bidder. Still it’ll be relit, we assume, and that’s a good thing. Relighting Broadway is a good thing. If I just repeat that over and over again, I’ll eventually forgive the poorly-painted red lettering.
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