Summer Hard Hat Tours Reveal Hidden Treasures At Iconic TCL Chinese Theatre
With historic TCL Chinese Theatre, formerly known as Grauman's, closed for renovations and upgrading to IMAX all summer, many think they won't be able to see the theatre, but it's not true. TCL is providing hard hat tours all summer long. As the construction progresses different areas might need to be closed off but the tour will work around those.
The tour covers the ornate inside of the theatre, the famous hand print courtyard, and the TCL Cineplex 6 next door to the Chinese. Even if you've been through the theatre many times before, with the tour you see and learn things you wouldn't otherwise. It's a great opportunity to get a glimpse of Hollywood's past and where it is going for the future.
The Chinese Theatre itself has several hidden treasures that just can't be seen or understood without being pointed out – for example, you get to see both bathrooms. If you don't know, the women's bathroom is quite famous for its beautiful sitting room. The prints in the courtyard all seem to have little stories that go with them. Many have interesting items pressed into the cement. Finally the TCL 6 next door has several photographs of hand print ceremonies as well as practice hand print blocks.
Tours run daily from 10 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. Tour ticket prices are $13.50 for adults, $11.50 for seniors and $6.50 for children. For a $2 coupon, find a TCL Chinese Theatre Pamphlet or the Hollywood Visitor Bureau Pamphlet at the Hollywood and Highland Visitors Center.
TCL Chinese Theatre
6925 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 463-9776
www.tclchinesetheatres.com
Elise Crane Derby writes the blog Elise's Ramblings about Film, TV, Theatre and all entertainment.