ON THE TOWN:Our new concert hall deserves more praise

There is a serious wrong that was committed last month that needs correcting. And it is up to most of us to help correct it.

In September, Costa Mesa became the home of the spectacular Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. The new hall is located across a new plaza from the performing arts center and just a few steps down Town Center Drive from South Coast Repertory.

One of my predictions was finally realized, and I am sorry to report that the opening of the new concert hall was a blip on our radar instead of a major event.

Most of the reason that the concert hall has not been celebrated as much as it needs to or should be is that the grand opening was in the thick of our election process. In other words, the timing was terrible.

While you and I were debating whether the people of Newport Beach should return control of development to its City Council, or discussing the best approach to the illegal immigrants in Costa Mesa, and while we were busy making over the school board, the new hall opened.

But that’s how it goes in the concert hall game. People like Placido Domingo, who appeared at the opening, are not available at a moment’s notice. Those types of concerts must be planned very far in advance and once the date is set and the contracts are signed, nothing but an illness or the complete collapse of the facility can undo what has been done.

So, opening night guests were ushered through a construction area on the way to the hall.

Once inside, however, hard hats and orange vests were an instant and distant memory.

The real beauty of the hall is heard, not seen. My wife and I have had the great pleasure of experiencing the Pacific Symphony Orchestra while sitting behind it and in the usual seats in front.

The seats behind the orchestra are inexpensive — $22 each at this time. Patrons in these seats are so close to the musicians they can almost reach out and touch them. This fabulous location does come with a price, however, and if you buy a ticket for one of these seats, you will find yourself positioned on something that is closer to a bench than a seat.

But don’t let that scare you. If you don’t suffer from a bad back, try it at least once. It is a wonderful experience.

Since the hall has opened, it seems to me that it has gotten more coverage from the out-of-town media than from our home-grown outlets. In reality, the new concert hall should not be reviewed in a vacuum, for it is another jewel in the crown of the arts complex at South Coast Metro.

Of all three venues, the new concert hall, the performing arts center and South Coast Repertory, I have to admit to some favoritism toward South Coast Repertory. This is a special place where good actors perform good plays in an intimate setting.

Part of that bias is due to the current production on the main stage — the 27th year of the staging of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Like many families in the area, we have made our attendance at this production a tradition. It has become our official launch into the holidays.

This year, Hal Landon Jr., will portray Ebenezer Scrooge for the 27th year. Yes, he has been this production’s only miser.

Each year, we watch Landon and each year he puts something different into the part. This year, Scrooge seemed particularly dark and distant until his conversion later in the performance.

Then there is Landon’s famous “hat trick” in the final act that has audiences howling. If you haven’t seen it, I won’t spoil it for you.

We can’t have a grand reopening of the hall just a few weeks after the gown and tuxedo crowd descended upon it. But many of us can contribute to its legacy by patronizing the new hall and its siblings next door.

Tickets can be affordable, too. There are the $22 seats at the new hall, preview tickets at South Coast Repertory and day-of-performance deals at the performing arts center.

The election is over. It’s time for some fun.