Tinseltown Studios

Tinseltown Studios, a new restaurant in Anaheim, Calif., gives dinner theater an interactive twist. At the 700-seat eatery, designed by Studio Avanti, Pasadena, Calif., guests assume the role of Hollywood stars at the “Oggie Awards” (named for the restaurant's parent company, Ogden Entertainment, New York City). Since you can't have a Hollywood awards show without performance clips, the restaurant uses blue screen technology to put guests in the middle of classic film clips. As you might expect, the restaurant plays on a vocabulary that is pleasantly familiar to film-savvy crowds. The exterior and lobby employ film posters and Art Deco elements reminiscent of the grand old movie palaces, and a marquee announcing the “awards show” frames the dining room.

As you also might expect, diners have the opportunity to commemorate their visit with a stop at the restaurant's gift shop. Dubbed the “Prop Shop,” the store features fixtures that look like stage trunks, and exposed lighting and ductwork complete the backstage illusion. There haven't been any Norma Desmond sightings yet, but you never know.

Design/Build Team: Turner Construction, Los Angeles/Studio Avanti, Pasadena, Calif. Turner Construction team–Bob Neiwirth, division manager, special properties; Joel Seaton, project manager; Rob Stein, project superintendent. Studio Avanti–Jay Sfingi, principal in charge (design); Frank Trocino, principal in charge (architecture); Paul LoNigro, principal in charge (project management); Jim Poleski, project captain; Amy Oliver, interior designer

Client Team: Ogden Entertainment, New York City–Tom Etter, senior vp; Vic Weisberg, project architect; Ron Drake, general manager. GarLin Productions, Anaheim, Calif.–Jim Garber, president; Jack Lindquist, executive producer

Outside Design Consultants: David Brewer Design Group, Los Angeles (fixture coordination); Kyle Bryan Merchandising Concepts, Arlington, Texas (visual merchandising director); Arevalo & Associates, Pasadena, Calif. (structural engineering); Syska & Hennessy, Los Angeles (MEP engineering); Lightswitch ARH Inc., New York City (lighting design); Edwards Technologies Inc., El Segundo, Calif. (audio/visual design); Davy & Associates, Manhattan Beach, Calif. (acoustical design); Psomas Engineering, Costa Mesa, Calif. (civil engineering); Corporate Sign Systems, Pasadena, Calif. (signage)

Suppliers/Fabricators: USG Corp., Chicago (ceilings); Fixture Arts, Santa Clarita, Calif. (fixturing); Bentley Mills Inc., City of Industry, Calif. (carpet); Forbo Industries Inc., Hazleton, Pa. (vinyl flooring); R.M. Scofield (stained concrete); Corporate Sign Systems, Pasadena, Calif. (signage); Times Square Lighting, Stony Point, N.Y. (fixtures and track, Prop Shop); Graphic Eye (dimmer system, Prop Shop); Holophane, Newark, Ohio (pendant fixtures, Prop Shop); David Brewer Design Group, Los Angeles (props/decoratives); Penwal Industries, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (theming and stage sets)

Photography: Psul Bielengberg, Los Angeles