Some things are important and some things are critical, but some things are critically important. The West Coast opening of the Disney extravaganza, The Lion King, falls into that category.

When Dr. Stephen Wexler, chairman of the internationally acclaimed Wexco International Corp., had very little time and no contractor to rebuild the historical Pantages Theatre box office, MPC project managers, Mike Katz and Jason Metoyer, rose to the occasion by demolishing and rebuilding the structure as it was built in the 1930s by the great theater impresario, Alexander Pantages, but this time with all the modern box office paraphernalia.

In a letter to Matt Plaskoff, Dr. Wexler said, “On behalf of Nederlander West Coast, Disney’s Lion King production, and Wexco, we want to thank you, your colleagues, and your organization for your very fine performance on the construction of the [Pantages Theatre] box office.”

MPC had just 15 days from the time they were given the “OK” to the time Hollywood Boulevard was closed to all traffic for the opening spectacular. In that oh-so-brief number of days, Mike and Jason had to create magic out of chaos . . . and they did! Though the new box office looks just as the original did 70 years ago, it now has all the whizbang, high-tech gizmos a turn-of-the-millennium theater operation requires, including bullet proof glass.

The theater, built in 1930 at a cost of $1.25 million (equivalent to $10 million of today’s dollars), had been left in disarray until the Nederland organization purchased it. Throughout its life, the theater has served as an entertainment venue for all manner of productions. It has not only hosted such notable opening as MGM’s Floradora Girls, starring Marion Davies, but has also served as the location for the filming of many television shows, and in the 50s it played host to Hollywood’s most spectacular event, The Academy Awards.

Through the years, Pantages Theatre was owned by Howard Hughes (through RKO Pictures) and later by Pacific Theatres, which brought the distinguished Yul Brynner back to re-create his Academy Award winning role in The King and I, as well as hosting a special screening of Cleopatra in 1963 whose proceeds went on to fund the construction of the Music Hall. Over the years its stage has been home to such hits as Bubbling Brown Sugar and Man of La Mancha.

When asked what he thought about the project, Matt Plaskoff said, “It was an incredible experience and an honor. You can’t imagine how proud we are at MPC to have been a part of such a historic event in the entertainment industry.”

On September 28, the Pantages Theatre stage will host a second round of the Lion King. Tickets are available at the Pantages Theatre Box Office; Ticketmaster Online; all Ticketmaster outlets including Tower Records, Robinsons-May, Wherehouse Music, Tu Musica, and Ritmo Latino; and Charge By Phone at 213/480-3232 or 714/740-4000.

19301 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana

MPC moving to new headquarters

The former “Willie Leon Building” will soon be the new home for MPC. With easy access from the 101 Ventura Freeway, the 1981 Tudor style 10,000 square foot landmark sits on the corner of Tampa and Ventura Boulevard in Tarzana.

By mid-summer, MPC will occupy the top floor and lease out the ground floor retail and second floor office space. An enclosed parking garage is available to leasors and MPC clients. For lease information, please call Dean Cutler, The Piken Company: 818-981-7440.

The new space will improve office efficiency and allow for further growth.

An Open House is planned for the fall; the date will be noted in the next newsletter.

San Ventura Roofing: favored vendor

Established in 1976, San Ventura Roofing, Inc. is owned by former professional motorcycle racer, Willy Simons, who retired from racing in 1988. He has raced worldwide including in Europe and South America.

“I left racing primarily to concentrate fully on my growing business,” Willy said. “We do all phases of roofing from custom home estates to residential roofing to full service commercial roofing.”

Specializing in challenges, San Ventura Roofing takes pride in its reputation for “hard-to-do” installations. The busy firm employs a staff of 20, most of whom have been with the company for more than five years.

“Our in-house removal company hauls the existing roofing and debris from projects,” Willy said, “which makes it easier and quicker for us to finish a project. We’re not relying on another firm to prepare the site for our work.”

Matt Plaskoff, 4th from left in the back row, and Karry Plaskoff, middle row, 5th from left, recently attended a National Industry Thinktank, hosted by colleague McDowell Exteriors & Remodeling in St. Charles, Illinois. This semi-annual event brings together 15 top industry professionals who evaluate one another’s businesses, offering peer advice and counseling.

Teddi Best celebrates 10 years at MPC A good time was had by all at Teddi Best’s 10th Anniversary party in May. Attending the festivities were more than 30 people and included the MPC crew, vendors and clients. Teddi, on right, is seated next to Socorro Shanks, controller.

Please help us welcome our newest employee

Meet Angela Coffin, our accounts payable manager...

Drawn to interior design, Angela attended The American College for Applied Arts and obtained a degree in marketing. However, she has since refocused on accounting and finds it enjoyable. She has worked in retail, property management and for general contractors. Angela lives in Valencia, loves Italian food, enjoys rollerblading and going to football and baseball games.

Matt Plaskoff Construction, Inc. would like to thank the following customers and associates for their continued support. Our business has grown and prospered because of your recommendations. We appreciate it!

Congratulations to the following people who have earned special gifts for their referrals:

Thanks to all of you who have referred others with whom we are currently discussing projects. We’ll keep you posted and acknowledge you in our newsletter when contracts are signed.