ST. PAUL, Minn. (Dec. 3, 2025) – The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts recently completed $3.9 million in grant-funded infrastructure and technical improvements, including new, state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. The full suite of these improvements will be on full display for the first time during the holiday season run of the Olivier Award-winning musical Jesus Christ Superstar, Dec. 9-28.
Jesus Christ Superstar
“With our audience at the center of every decision, these investments will elevate the theatergoing experience for all, allowing us to paint the stage with light and fully immerse them in music, from rock to Bach,” said President and CEO of the Ordway, Chris Harrington. “Thanks to the technical expertise and outstanding work of our production and design teams, our guests will immediately notice the lighting and sound improvements in the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar — every guitar riff, dramatic spotlight and powerful solo will be heightened and create an even more memorable experience.”
The Ordway’s 1,900-seat Music Theater now features a modern line array speaker system from Meyer Sound that provides clear sound and balanced, even coverage for all seats in the auditorium. It gives concert sound engineers and theatrical sound designers greater ability to tailor the sound for each type of program they are working on, whether it is a Broadway musical, rock concert or a lecture.
The Music Theater also has new modern LED intelligent moving light fixtures and fixed-focus LED fixtures, giving lighting designers more creative control for how the lights move, change colors and show patterns. Both the new sound and lighting upgrades replaced previous systems that were either at or past their end of life.
Audiences have had a preview of the new sound and lighting systems at Ordway shows this fall. “Because of new sound and lighting systems, the show sounds and looks exquisite,” said Rohan Preston of the Star Tribune about The Addams Family. Tracy Jo Blowers of Solsite Co. Creative said the following after seeing The Notebook in the Music Theater in November: “The orchestra and sound were booming, and I loved it! The Ordway recently added state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems and I could really tell the difference.”
As part of these upgrades, the Ordway also repaired its roof this past summer. The Arts Partnership received a $3.9 million federal grant for the roof repairs and sound and lighting upgrades in 2023. The Arts Partnership is a strategic alliance comprised of Minnesota Opera, the Ordway, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and Schubert Club, who work collaboratively to equitable share and effectively care for the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts.
The Ordway’s 1,100-seat Concert Hall sound system was also upgraded in 2024 with a new Meyer Sound LINA system. The new system provides better audio, more cohesive coverage to the hall’s seats and supports a broad range of programming.
Special thanks to Broadway at the Ordway Series sponsor Old National Bank, and to the Minnesota State Arts Board for their major support of the Ordway.