"Theaters of this seating capacity can never do the things we can," Zecchetto said. "I do not think there is another performance space in the United States with these characteristics."
Hoffman, who is on location for a film, said in a statement: "The Westside of Los Angeles has never had anything of its kind. . . . It's a stage for dance, opera, musicals . . . and yet it's an intimate theater. It looks great."
SMC President Tsang said that "what the project comes down to is a sense of community."
"The community expects a great deal of this college because we've done such groundbreaking projects," he said. "This will cement our reputation and also provide a nurturing site for our young students, who can learn from each other and the great performers who will bring art to life in every level of our community."
Initially, the college expected to use the theater about 35% of the time, but as the project developed, the smaller Second Space was added. Now the college plans to use the Stage only 45 days a year, according to Donald Girard, the college's senior director of government relations.
That leaves the rest to Franzen and her artistic committee, which includes Hoffman, conductor Kent Nagano and choreographer Lula Washington.
"The initial season will be somewhere between 20 and 25 presentations," Franzen said. These will include projects with L.A. Opera, Nagano, the L.A. Baroque performance group Musica Angelica and others.
"But Rome wasn't built in a day," Franzen said. "I have to make sure my audience shares the vision. By the third year, we'll have a sense of who we are and what our place is here."
The "Under the Radar" series, however, is set. After the Tango Ensemble on Sunday, other groups or events will include L.A. Opera's Domingo/Thornton Youth Artists, the Latin jazz ensemble Otmaro Ruiz Group and a holiday cabaret concert.
There's one other opening.
"We still don't have a name for the Stage," Franzen said. "If there's someone out there who wants to put a name on the theater, now's the time to call."
chris.pasles@latimes.com
