Jewel of Kings

Do you know those times when your expectations are so overwhelmingly exceeded that you can’t help feeling giddy? The “wow” circuits in your brain keep firing? Your phone camera keeps coming out to try to capture the moment? I had such a moment this evening.

I had occasion to visit the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn. Based on the neighborhood we were in, I was expected a small dingy concert hall. I’ve driven by Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn many, many times, and never saw anything that seemed to speak of high art.

I was blown away.

I’m not even going to spend time describing the ornate design, the vaulted ceilings, the decorative columns and drapes. Nor will I try to recapture the sense of history, the original 1929 architecture restored to a bigness that my phone camera couldn’t seem to do justice. I’ll just say check out the pictures on their website, and go see the Theatre if you can.

I’ll also say: what a lesson this is not to discount a neighborhood by its name. If Flatbush can harbor a secret jewel, then any neighborhood can.

And if a treasure can lie buried in any old place, then why not inside of you?