Midway Theatre

721 E. State Street,
Rockford, IL 61104

Unfavorite 20 people favorited this theater

Showing 26 - 50 of 60 comments

jmschaul
jmschaul on May 7, 2009 at 2:25 pm

Hi, How would one be able to look around inside, always wanted to understand what the interior was like, especially now. Thanks!

zuvuya
zuvuya on May 5, 2009 at 2:12 pm

I just went and had a peek inside. It is pretty bad. I tried to get a hold of the realtor and he hasn’t gotten back to me. I’m going to get a hold of the Rockford historical organization. If anyone would like to have a look inside get a hold of me. We need to get the ball rolling before it’s too late.

baschaible
baschaible on May 5, 2009 at 11:51 am

Just looked in the windows today and it’s in pretty bad disrepair. Cracked marble, all painted surfaces are flaking, broken windows, graffiti, and most of the ceiling tiles have fallen out.

zuvuya
zuvuya on April 24, 2009 at 1:39 pm

And of course, movies…..we could have a showing of Caddyshack when we reopen it.

zuvuya
zuvuya on April 24, 2009 at 1:31 pm

I would like to start a Not For Profit “Save the Midway Theatre”. I am willing to put 100% of my passion, persistence, and patents into this project and will go at it full time, so we can get it purchased, up to code, and reopened to hold fundraisers for further restoration.
I will not let this beautiful piece of Rockford’s heritage fall into ruin. We owe it to our future generations. The Midway is just begging to become a community creative and performing center/music venue. Who’s with me?

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on April 14, 2009 at 10:38 pm

Reactivate Notification Status

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on February 22, 2009 at 3:13 pm

Yeah, that seems cheap. Not sure what the level of Cheap Trick’s Rick Neilsen was initially going to be. (March 2008)
I believe he is already involved in the development of a giant hotel/entertainment complex in Rockford.
This could be a neat thing for him to pick up to further bolster the other project though. Show financial commitment to restoring the historic, while building the new, etc.
C'mon Rick. You’re all allright!

mp775
mp775 on February 22, 2009 at 2:44 pm

Only $312K. Wow.

edwilke
edwilke on January 25, 2009 at 10:52 am

I went by the building yesterday and it’s for sale.

Here’s the web site:

View link

Life's Too Short
Life's Too Short on October 28, 2008 at 9:13 am

I wonder if it was converted to condos in the end, given current turmoil in the financial markets.

mp775
mp775 on May 14, 2008 at 11:23 am

November 9, 2007 – Battling to save Midway Theater

A local businessman had a plan to restore and reopen the Midway for performing arts. It fell through.

From the Rockford Register Star

February 7, 2008 – Local Businessman makes offer for Midway Theater

March 5, 2008 – Cheap Trick guitarist Nielsen joins Midway effort

April 28, 2008 – Midway Theatre renovation up in air

From the Urban Remains newsletter:

“May 2008 we will begin sal­vaging the midway theater located in rockford, il. The theater was designed by j.e.o pridmore in 1918. the marquee, lobby detail and auditorium plaster will be removed. The building will be converted to condos in late 2008”

Menutia
Menutia on April 20, 2008 at 8:11 am

According to this website: http://www.urbanremainschicago.com

The theatre is being salvaged. Anyone have an update?

Broan
Broan on April 16, 2008 at 8:05 am

Architect was J.E.O. Pridmore

lowell
lowell on March 26, 2008 at 9:04 am

Does anyone have a vintage photo of the marquis of the Midway from 1918 – 1932? I don’t think the current marquis is the original one.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on February 11, 2008 at 10:22 pm

Photo of a crowd waiting to enter the Midway Theatre, January 24, 1932.

Edward Jurich
Edward Jurich on October 14, 2007 at 5:45 pm

I was living in Rockford when the front of the theater burned, started in a bar in a store front if I remember correctly. It completely gutted the stores, apartments and lobby. The roof caved in and then the weight of the marquee bowed the front of the building. I never thought it would be rebuilt with that amount of damage. Having survived this long it would be a shame to be lost now.

souledout4ever
souledout4ever on October 9, 2007 at 10:02 am

How much would it cost to purchase the Midway Theatre? And what would the terms of use/service be for after it has been sold?

heathal
heathal on August 22, 2007 at 10:27 pm

In response to “Midway Theatre”. I agree with every comment that you made about the last owners in your June transmission, but I will not mudsling. You were actually very kind. However I am expressing a high interest in making some use of the theatre in the Winter of 2008 for a community Play as a kickoff to raise funds for one of the city’s homeless shelters. If the new prospectives have not purchased the ediface I would like to chat about some possibilities. In addition to that, I would like to know what specific upgrades/renovations are needed and what grants/monies are available for historical/preservation projects if any. Thanks for any attention to respond. Dies Irie!!

heathal
heathal on August 22, 2007 at 10:12 pm

Midway Theatre: please respond.

mp775
mp775 on June 27, 2007 at 5:27 pm

Midway Theater – please e-mail me at Thanks.

purdue2781
purdue2781 on June 22, 2007 at 8:07 am

Hi everybody,

I couldn’t help but notice many of you have questions about what has happened or is happening with the Midway. My family has been a previous owner and is now the current owner, so I’d be happy to let you know what’s going on.

My family owned the theater from after the fire in 1980 till 2000, and had to recently take back the theater from “Tommy Boy” in 2006 (he foreclosed). There is another interested party, so it might be changing hands again here in 2007. Current status, for sale with possible sale pending.

So, let me hit on a few features of the interior that make, or made, the Midway special. The auditorium seats 1500 people. Back in its prime when it was operating as a movie theater, it had the 2nd largest indoor screen in the nation. I know some of you remember seeing films there, so I’m sure you can remember what it was like. Unfortunately, that was before my time. Also, the stage is huge (much bigger than the Coronado’s)…it’s a 3500 sqft thrust stage. Just walking inside the auditorium can make you still say “wow”. I always am amazed when I walk in there, and just try to imagine all the people who have ever enjoyed an evening at the Midway.

Many of you wonder why no renovations have taken place and why no shows are going on. It’s simple, before performers can be attracted to the theater, it needs to have some renovations. Back in the 90’s, $14 million was given to the Coronado for some major overhauling. If you have been in that theater since, it is just amazing. It is VERY ornate, so I’m sure that of the 2 theaters, it was decided that the Coronado would be much more of a site to see when finished than the Midway. Of course, I’m sure neighborhoods, seating capacity, and liquor licenses also made a difference. The Midway is seated in a less than desirable area (that seedy motel next door is being torn down by the way, so hopefully something better will go up in it’s place). Plus, if I recall the Coronado has more seating (it has 1 or 2 balconies in addition to its floor space) and a bar off the lobby for those who want some beer or drinks before a show. The Midway has a cafe off the lobby, but it isn’t set up for bar operations. I would imagine the large parking garage across the street from Coronado didn’t hurt anything either! In any case, whatever the reasons were, the Coronado got the grant and the Midway didn’t. While the Friends of the Find Arts have wanted the Midway to be fixed up, they aren’t willing to offer the financial support as they did for the Coronado. We, as owners, do not have the funding either. $14 million would work wonders for the Midway, so until someone with unlimited financial resources comes along, renovations aren’t in the works. Actually, we hosted the RSO for a number of years, but once the Coronado was restored, the symphony moved downtown. The Midway had better accoustics but the Coronado brought in the crowds.

The guy you referred to as “Tommy Boy” I think had grand dreams of turning the Midway into Rockford’s own Apollo (like what goes on at the original in NYC). There were actually 2 guys that owned it…partners. One was somehow teamed up with Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, so I assume he thought she’d be singing there and bringing in the crowds. These guys got in way over their heads with the Midway. They never hosted anything of interest to Rockford’s majority, the preyed on the dreams of Rockford’s low income youth, they didn’t do a single bit of upkeep, and then they got behind in mortgage payments. We had no choice but to take back the theater.

Did you know there was a recording studio in the theater? As far as I know, no one of significant mention has recorded there, but there is always the possibility for someone looking to record artists and have a theater where they can play live shows.

Well, that is about it. I’ll keep checking back on the blog if anyone has other questions. Thank you for your interest in the Midway…I’d love to see it great again as well!

mp775
mp775 on January 9, 2007 at 8:13 am

According to the Rockford Twp Assessor’s Office, the property is held in trust by Chicago Title Land Trust.

Iwebworks, a graphic design firm, lists the address of their Rockford office as 721 East State Street #303. If they are indeed located in the theater building, they may be of some assistance.

MMSProd
MMSProd on December 2, 2006 at 5:54 am

I won’t to post a comment to musichead. Although your post was at least a year ago, I just now found this site because I am interesting in pursuing to help these owners do the right thing within the community and service to the community and its people. If you are doing business by the book, its amazing how blessing flow. However, if you are deceitful in doing so, then your chances of seeing blessing are lock. This is a beautiful historical building and its a shame that it is wasted on little or no entertainment, services, product, etc. I won’t to contact the owners and seriously see where they won’t to go in future endeavors. Pursuing a music career is a good thing providing its done on the bases of corporate governance, whereas “ensuring that the business complies with all required regulations, and standards on an ongoing basis; ensure that the quality of product and service is provided with the highest quality and standard;satisfy customers needs and meet compliance requirements;Integrate value and worth within the community but first start with the business; These are just minimum good governance pract for small business. There are a lot of good post here, I hope the owners read them.

MMSProd
MMSProd on December 2, 2006 at 5:43 am

This is a beautiful historic building. Its a shame that its standing still with little or no renovation or entertainment. I am currently interested in this property to assist the owners in making headway to restore this beautiful place. Apparently, years ago there were much activity and now there is none. The storefronts are vacant. What’s going on with this property? I would certainly offer my help and service. How do I contact the owners?

Andy69
Andy69 on September 30, 2006 at 9:09 pm

The fire that led to the theater being shut down occurred in the Summer of 1980; the last film shown here was “Caddyshack”. The posters for the movie remained on display outside the theater’s entrance for what seemed like a couple years. I remember driving past this theater with my family on weekend trips to Rockford during this time period and I would always strain to see if the posters had come down yet.