Uncertain fate for New Orleans hall

Hurricane Katrina caused severe flooding at two of New Orleans’ oldest theaters -- the Orpheum and the Saenger, both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But in the five months since then, renovations have been under way at the Saenger while recovery at the Orpheum has been all but stagnant.

And the future of the 85-year-old Orpheum, which for years has served as home to the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, is uncertain, said Jeff Montalbano, the theater’s general manager.

With no flood insurance, the owners aren’t sure how to pay the estimated $1.5 million to $2.5 million in damage, Montalbano said. Since the storm, only some cleanup has been done, and the owners are considering selling.