Curtain goes up on theater complex.

Dodger Stages, a new multi-theatre entertainment complex operated by Dodger Stage Holding at Worldwide Plaza, 340 West 50th Street, opened its doors to the public August 31.

The 61,300 square feet of space contains five performance spaces and has been completed at a cost of $23 million.

Michael David, a principal with Dodger Stage Holding said, "We wanted to create a small community of theatres in the heart of the city. A magnet convenient for artists and audiences. A center for on-going activity for theatre, and for dance, music, performance art, the circus.

"For anything that would love to be in the Broadway vicinity, but can't find the right-sized venue to do so.

"We are thrilled that the first productions in the new Dodger Stages reflect a wide range of theatrical entertainment from the magical Symphonic Fantastique; the singular Mandy Patinkin, the daring young musical Bare; the timely and true new musical The Immigrant, the new comedy Modern Orthodox, and the return of the Australian sensations The Umbilical Brothers."

Creatively adapted from an existing structure with the economic advantages of scale and centralization, Dodger Stages will address the unique economic eeds of the producer, the physical needs of the artist, and the social, aesthetic and comfort needs of today's audience.

The design team for Dodger Stages is comprised of Beyer Blinder Belle Architects and Planners LLP, Richard L. Blinder, Erik Chu (Architect); Klara Zieglerova (Principal Designer of Public Spaces); Sachs Morgan Studio, Theatre Design Specialists, Ann Sachs and Roger Morgan (Theatre Design); and 2x4, Inc. (Environmental Graphic Design).