Fort Worth, Texas (Reuters) – The Fort Worth museum and cultural center, a major draw in the city’s southwest, will open on Friday and its outdoor theater, which will show works by Charles Bukowski and Stephen Sondheim, will be transformed into a stage for performances of “Foolish Heart.”
The building has long been used for concerts and other events but the Fort Worth facility will be the first to host outdoor concerts, a move the city hopes will draw visitors and boost economic development.
The facility, which opened in 2001, is in a busy part of the city.
The theater will be open to the public for three days beginning on Friday, with an opening night concert by Bukowski.
The theater, designed by architect Edward F. Kuehn, was built for a performance of “The Nutcracker” by the same name in 1926.
Its main attraction is the 1873 “Flaming Bull” by Charles M. Chaney.
The city’s budget for the renovation includes a $1.8 million state grant to pay for the project.
The state Department of Tourism has awarded a $400,000 state grant for the city to hire a consultant and to hire consultants to design a permanent outdoor seating structure.