Garden Theatre

Construction has begun on the renovation of this theatre.

Applications are currently being solicited for general manager of the Garden Theatre. See www.wghf.org for details.

Nice to read that this historical theatre is being restored as it is in the same town as the world famous, Cypress Gardens.

Thanks for your nice comment, Patsy. However, Cypress Gardens is in Winter Haven--about 50 miles or so south of us. Winter Garden is 14 miles west of Orlando, and is an up and coming city, growing rapidly. We still need to raise approximately $600,000 to complete the Garden Theatre's renovation. I'm sure we will.

Thanks for the location correction. Good luck with your efforts to raise the money to complete your theatre as it is important to restore these old theatres especially those with atmospheric interiors as that was a special design of that era. My favorite architect is John Eberson. He designed many atmospheric theatres one of which is the Palace in Canton Ohio.

I just viewed the computer realization by Phil Baker of the completed facade with ticket kios. Congratulations.

Glad to hear a theater organ has been donated!!! Love to know what it is!! Fellow theater lover Jim Fles

The organ donated is a large Conn electronic theatre organ. While we do love pipe organs, we really don't have room for the installation of one, and the upkeep on a genuine piper would be more than we could possibly afford. So, having an electronic organ is an excellent alternative.

Anyone have a photo of what it looked like before they began?

The Garden Theatre's facade and marquee are now completed, and were revealed in a ceremony on March 1, 2007. A soft opening is planned during early 2008, with the grand opening to follow on March 1, 2008. The theatre's management can be contacted at 407-401-8660.

Would love to see my current and past photos! Can you help Lost Memory?

How do I send the photos you requested to Lost Memory, Patsy?

Irv....You can eliminate the middleman and save time by emailing the photos directly to Patsy. Click on her name and you will find her email address.

Irv: When you send me the photos please title the email GARDEN Theatre. Thanks.

Projected "soft" opening of the Garden is in mid January, 2008. Grand opening has been scheduled for March 1, 2008. Two professional theatre companies have already opted to make this theatre their home.

Irv: As we near the month of March, 2008 please post on CT the exact date of the grand opening as I will probably be in FL that month and would like to plan my trip around this date! Thanks so much.

Can anyone provide current restoration photos?

Irv: Sorry...I didn't realize that you posted the first day of March for the grand opening. If there is any change in this date, please advise.

Here is an interior photo dated 1958.

The Garden will open again on February 1, 2008, as a performing arts center. Classic movies will also be run twice a week. The gala grand opening is set for February 29. See www.wgtheatre.org or call 407-877-GRDN for information.

Irv: Congratulations! I only wish I were going to be in WG then! I do have a friend who lives in the Winter Garden area in the winter months so I will certainly inform her of this upcoming and exciting Feb. 1 grand opening event! And if you have any photos you would still like to send to me the address is still wrlenzo@aol.com

This is a nice recent photo. The theater looks great.

Lost: Yes, a fine looking theatre! Congrats to Irv and to all of those who worked on this theatre in central Florida. I do hope to visit this theatre and meet Irv next winter.

I would have loved to met Lost Memory when he/she was here. Also, I will look forward to meeting Patsy.

Irv: Lost is a HE and I'll let you know when I find myself in central FL next winter!

Irv: I enjoyed our theatre phone chat and look forward to seeing the beautifully restored Garden Theatre in March.

Click here for some nice photos of the Garden Theatre courtesy of Irv Lipscomb. Click on each photo to expand it.

Lost and Irv: These are wonderful paintings and thanks for bringing them to everyone's attention! I still hope to see this theatre,in person, someday as plans were changed to see the Garden this past March.

1988 photo of the Winter Garden Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c9%2c3%2c-1&catpagesize=25&ProductID=25662
Looks like it was some sort of game room according to the window.

After looking at Irv's photos I don't think this is the same Winter Garden Theatre. It might photo of the other Winter Garden Theatre in the next block.

Looks like a neat thatre, both inside and out.

Oddly enough there is a theatre in western NY in Jamestown NY called the Winter Garden Theatre. It is still standing, but has been closed for a very long time and nobody knows what its future is though I would like to see it retored. Thought I had a buyer from Chicago, but it fell through. It's listed on CT, too.

Chuck1231: The 1988 photo you posted is of the Gem Theatre, 31 S. Main Street in Winter Garden.

Thanks Lipscomb, I reposted it to the Gem page.

Isn't it funny that most of this summer's Classic Film Series are more for kids?

Hmmmm, MPol: I'm looking at the schedule and reading WEST SIDE STORY, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, MY FAIR LADY, ANYTHING GOES, GREASE, DREAMGIRLS, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, JAWS, ANIMAL HOUSE, MONTY PYTHON & THE HOLY GRAIL, BLAZING SADDLES, 2001, BRAVEHEART, NORTH BY NW, CASABLANCA, BEN HUR, LAWRENCE OF ARABIA DEVIL WEARS PRADA, MAMMA MIA, MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE, CORPSE BRIDE, TOOTSIE, THE GRADUATE, WAG THE DOG, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF A SPOTLESS MIND, and THE GODFATHER 1, 2 & 3. Hardly a children's schedule. There are selected children's films that will be matinee attractions.

The new website address for the Garden is www.gardentheatre.org