A diva fit for Kings
AN ICONIC Brooklyn auditorium is set for a “supreme” return.
Superstar singer Diana Ross has signed on to perform a welcome-back concert at the Kings Theatre in Flatbush, restoring a little cachet to the long-awaited revival of the majestic entertainment hall.
The Detroit-born diva will take the stage on Feb. 3 to celebrate a painstaking $93.9 million restoration of the 85-year-old landmark. “We are thrilled to welcome New Yorkers back to this historic space and to launch a new era of presenting live entertainment at the Kings with an opening performance by Diana Ross, one of the great living legends of American music,” said Kings Theatre Executive Director Matthew Wolf.
Built in 1929, the 3,000-seat auditorium captivated generations of Brooklyn teenagers — including Barbra Streisand — and once played host to the likes of Bob Hope.
The ornate opera house and movie hall was modeled on the Palace of Versailles with stunning, inlaid ceilings and gilded details at every turn, but it eventually fell into disrepair.
The concert hall was shuttered in 1977 and has been sitting empty ever since, despite numerousumero plansp for its redevelopment.
A partnership between the city and private investors finally brought help to the Flatbush Ave. attraction in 2013.
The bulk of the financing — $51 million — comes from tax dollars. ACE Theatrical Group, which will run the theater, and leaseholder Goldman Sachs kicked in about $30 million.
Doors will officially open in January, and the famed Supremes lead singer will headline the February grand opening.
Tickets for the concert will go on sale at noon on Friday, at KingsTheatre.com.
dmmurphy@nydailynews.com