I still feel sad about AMC leaving the Mainstreet because AMC/Durwood Theaters has had a presence in downtown Kansas City for decades. This company was born in Kansas City, Missouri with the purchase of the old Regent Theater downtown. When they move from their headquarters building to Leawood, they won’t have any presence there at all anymore. The Power and Light District was originally Stan Durwood’s (AMC) idea. I wish AMC had ended up with ownership of the Mainstreet after it was restored, and not Cordish. I had hoped at one time that AMC would build a new headquarters building west of the theater.
It’s true about there being pens for elephants in the basement and a seal pool. I don’t think the tunnel to the President Hotel remains. It has probably been sealed up on both sides, and the City might have removed it during regular infastructure rebuilding. I haven’t heard of anyone who has seen or been in it.
The Kansas City Star recently published an article stating that the University of Missouri-Kansas City is exploring moving the Conservatory of Music and Dance from the campus to downtown’s Lyric Theater, and use it as a student rehearsal and performance space.
The Vista Theater was destroyed by fire on May 12, 2011. Several businesses occupied the the 79-year-old building, and it appears to be a total loss. Firefighters have yet to discover the cause of the fire.
Missouri Theater complex experiences fire damage; theater saved by fast-acting firefighters.
A fire broke out in the Missouri Theater complex on Feb. 18, 2011. Fast-acting firefighters took drastic action to save the theater itself from fire damage. The theater only sustained smoke damage. Dressing and rehearsal rooms, and theater office space, in adjacent buildings were the only areas significantly damaged by fire.
Here is an article published in today’s Business Journal of Kansas City describing the renovation and reopening of the Midland Theater. The theater has its' first performance tonight by Melissa Etheridge, who grew up in nearby Leavenworth, KS.
Here is an article published in today’s Business Journal of Kansas City describing the renovation and reopening of the Midland Theater. The theater has its' first performance tonight by Melissa Etheridge, who grew up in nearby Leavenworth, KS.
A photo of the Lincoln Theater can be found at the following link:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v727/FangKC/LincolnTheateron19thSt-2.jpg
I still feel sad about AMC leaving the Mainstreet because AMC/Durwood Theaters has had a presence in downtown Kansas City for decades. This company was born in Kansas City, Missouri with the purchase of the old Regent Theater downtown. When they move from their headquarters building to Leawood, they won’t have any presence there at all anymore. The Power and Light District was originally Stan Durwood’s (AMC) idea. I wish AMC had ended up with ownership of the Mainstreet after it was restored, and not Cordish. I had hoped at one time that AMC would build a new headquarters building west of the theater.
Wrong address above. The first Orpheum Theater was at West 9th and May Street.
15th Street was renamed Truman Road.
Here is a link to a photo of the New Center Theater.
http://kchistory.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/Montgomery&CISOPTR=7275&CISOBOX=1&REC=11
It’s true about there being pens for elephants in the basement and a seal pool. I don’t think the tunnel to the President Hotel remains. It has probably been sealed up on both sides, and the City might have removed it during regular infastructure rebuilding. I haven’t heard of anyone who has seen or been in it.
The Kansas City Star recently published an article stating that the University of Missouri-Kansas City is exploring moving the Conservatory of Music and Dance from the campus to downtown’s Lyric Theater, and use it as a student rehearsal and performance space.
Here is a link to a book describing the theater.
http://books.google.com/books?id=saMbAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA1641&lpg=PA1641&dq=Linwood+Theater+Kansas+City&source=bl&ots=Gbn6VexfVS&sig=ZqUMeezpCRo4H55K4F0FCHS-eXk&hl=en&ei=oTU6TvqvCMOEtged1_2YAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CEQQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=Linwood%20Theater%20Kansas%20City&f=false
Image of Esquire Theater front facade.
http://digital.library.umsystem.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?sid=738293e1c6fb79905fb58dcaf947adc1;med=1;q1=umkcredic;rgn1=umkcredic_all;size=20;c=umkcredic;lasttype=boolean;view=entry;lastview=thumbnail;subview=detail;cc=umkcredic;entryid=x-015.tif;viewid=015.TIF;start=1;resnum=15
The address of the Aladdin Theater changed when they renamed 15th Street as Truman Road.
Image of the Esquire Theater.
http://digital.library.umsystem.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?sid=738293e1c6fb79905fb58dcaf947adc1;med=1;q1=umkcredic;rgn1=umkcredic_all;size=20;c=umkcredic;lasttype=boolean;view=entry;lastview=thumbnail;subview=detail;cc=umkcredic;entryid=x-010.tif;viewid=010.TIF;start=1;resnum=10
Image of the exterior of the Apollo Theater before facade change.
http://digital.library.umsystem.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?sid=738293e1c6fb79905fb58dcaf947adc1;med=1;c=umkcredic;q1=umkcredic;rgn1=umkcredic_all;size=20;lasttype=boolean;view=entry;lastview=thumbnail;subview=detail;cc=umkcredic;entryid=x-001.tif;viewid=001.TIF;start=1;resnum=1
A postcard of the Empress Theater can be found here:
http://kchistory.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/Mrs&CISOPTR=1117&CISOBOX=1&REC=5
The Vista Theater building has been demolished.
An addition news link about the fire at the Vista Theater.
View link
The Vista Theater was destroyed by fire on May 12, 2011. Several businesses occupied the the 79-year-old building, and it appears to be a total loss. Firefighters have yet to discover the cause of the fire.
http://www.kmbc.com/news/27871002/detail.html
Missouri Theater complex experiences fire damage; theater saved by fast-acting firefighters.
A fire broke out in the Missouri Theater complex on Feb. 18, 2011. Fast-acting firefighters took drastic action to save the theater itself from fire damage. The theater only sustained smoke damage. Dressing and rehearsal rooms, and theater office space, in adjacent buildings were the only areas significantly damaged by fire.
View link
http://www.kmbc.com/news/26925078/detail.html
City looks into fire cause
View link
Construction is ongoing. The reopening date has been changed to summer of 2009.
The most recent word I’ve heard is that the AMC Mainstreet (formerly the Empire) is set to reopen for film screenings in December, 2008.
Here is an article published in today’s Business Journal of Kansas City describing the renovation and reopening of the Midland Theater. The theater has its' first performance tonight by Melissa Etheridge, who grew up in nearby Leavenworth, KS.
View link
Here is an article published in today’s Business Journal of Kansas City describing the renovation and reopening of the Midland Theater. The theater has its' first performance tonight by Melissa Etheridge, who grew up in nearby Leavenworth, KS.
View link
Here’s a story in the Kansas City Star on the renovation of the Midland Theater.
http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/733898.html
Story in the Kansas City Star on reopening of the Armour (formerly Paradise) Theater.
http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/627185.html
The marquee says the theater is slated to reopen in the summer of 2008. Melissa Etheridge has recently been scheduled to play in September.
The new marquee looks great. Can’t wait to see it lit up.
This photo would have probably been after the 1943 remodel.