ORLANDO, Fla. – After months of construction, the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts officially opened Thursday.
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[PICS: DPAC opens ]
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at 10 a.m. to honor those who have helped DPAC in the past 25 years.
The half a billion dollar project opened with many past and local elected officials ready to sing its praises.
"We can host just about any type of performance that you can think of, from a concert to the Broadway series to ballet," Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer told Local 6.
The building features modern architecture, glass and more than 3,300 tons of steel. The focal point is a massive wave wall that is several stories high and made of Venetian plaster and steel. It acts as a sound barrier to the theaters and gives the center its flair.
"So if we light the wave wall pink, the whole building turns pink," Levon Bracy told Local 6.
The crown jewel of the center is the Walt Disney World Theater. It has three levels and 2,700 seats, along a 6,000-square-foot stage.
The DeVoss Family room features a wall of windows that open to the plaza below. The upper level space will be available for rental and private events.
And there is the Jim and Alexis Pugh Theater, which will house smaller shows and is also available for rent.
Dyer spoke at the ceremony, calling the opening of DPCPA a "once-in-a-lifetime event" for the city.
"Today I truly believe we are the city of the 21st century," Dyer said.
A community open house will be Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. The Celebration of the Seneff Arts Plaza, starring Sheryl Crow, will be Saturday at 8 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public.
On Sunday, a community open house and family festival will be from noon to 4 p.m.
During the open houses, guests will take self-guided tours and explore the Della Phillips Grand Lobby, the Walt Disney Theater, the Jim and Alexis Pugh Theater and the Seneff Arts Plaza.
For more information, click here.