Pop Music a First for New Theater : Performance: Concert “makes a statement” that pop is appropriate entertainment.

Judy Collins’ concert here tonight not only represents one of the first steps in her return to major label status (see accompanying story), but also the very first step into pop music presentation for the new Irvine Barclay Theatre.

The 756-seat hall on the UC Irvine campus will be devoted primarily to theater, dance and classical music. But Douglas Rankin, president of the Irvine Barclay, said that unlike the Orange County Performing Arts Center, this will be a place for pop, folk and folk-rock as well.

“Clearly we’re not a pop venue, but I’ll be experimenting a bit, to see what works,” he said. With Collins, who happens to be one of Rankin’s personal favorites, “we wanted to make a brief statement that this is a form of entertainment we certainly consider appropriate for the hall. And as we get our feet on the ground, we’ll explore other opportunities.”

So far, Rankin said, the only other performer with a pop background booked into the Irvine Barclay is Corky Siegel, a singer, pianist and harmonica player who in the ‘60s was co-leader of the Siegel-Schwall Band, a Chicago blues ensemble. Siegel will be backed by a string quartet in his concert on Jan. 16, 1991.