Embassy Theatre

Would like to know of any auditions for upcoming musicals. Is there a list, or a number I can call? Thanks!

I would like to know the ticket price for seating, center stage, first row in the balcony for Grease on 10-23-02. Or, give me an e-mail address or phone number so I can check on purchasing tickets for this show. I would like the info ASAP. Thank you.

On May 14, 1928, the doors of the magnificent Emboyd Theatre opened in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Built as a movie/vaudeville palace, the Emboyd provided a majestic backdrop for the entertainment of the day. For the admission price of 60 cents, guests to the Emboyd's Opening Night festivities were treated to vaudeville acts on the stage, musical performances by the symphonic orchestra and the Grande Page Organ, and the silent film Easy Come, Easy Go starring Richard Dix.
Wrapped around the north and west sides of the theatre was the seven-story Indiana Hotel, which catered to business clientele generated from the nearby train station. The hotel billed itself as "Fort Wayne's Newest and Finest Year 'Round Air Conditioned" hotel and the "Home of the World's Best Beds." The 250 rooms had a combination tub and shower bath. The hotel had the Café, Cocktail Lounge and Circular Bar, famous for its 'food, beverages, music and entertainment.' Later business tenants of the Indiana Hotel included Sam's Barbershop (in the hotel basement next to the breakfast kitchen), the Indiana Drug Store and Dr. C.B. Parker (along Harrison Street on the first floor). The hotel operated until 1966, closing due to a decline in train traffic and changes in the hotel industry.

In 1952, the theatre was leased to an amusement company and the name changed to the Embassy Theatre. The Embassy operated primarily as a movie theatre until 1972 when the owners decided that it would be more profitable to demolish the theatre and create a parking lot. Through the efforts of a handful of volunteers and with support from a caring community, the Embassy Theatre and Indiana Hotel were saved from the wrecking ball just two days before scheduled demolition. The resulting commitment of corporate and personal financial support led to the formation of the Embassy Theatre Foundation, the not-for-profit organization that to this day restores, maintains and operates Indiana's largest historical theatre.

In 1995, a major renovation of the Embassy Stage brought the theatre up to the modern standards required by large scale touring companies. The original seating capacity of the Embassy Theatre was 3,100, but through renovation it has been reduced to the current 2,477. The main floor seats 1,395 and the Balcony seats 1,070 people. Two wheelchair areas behind sections B & C can accommodate up to 12 wheelchairs.

Restoration of the Indiana Hotel Lobby and Mezzanine was also completed at this time, contributing to the Embassy's reincarnation as a multi-use Centre for entertainment, social and educational functions. Designed in the Mediterranean tradition, the Indiana Hotel Lobby and Mezzanine have also been restored to their former grandeur with great attention to historical relevance and detail. The original mezzanine railing and main tile flooring remain. The carpeting on the mezzanine level is a duplication of a piece taken from one of the original hotel rooms. The remaining hotel rooms are currently unused.

Through all renovations and improvements, the Embassy Centre has maintained the historic integrity of the building that is on the National Registry of Historic Places.

In 2003, the Embassy celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a year of spectacular events and unforgettable celebrations, including a re-creation of the 1928 Opening Night celebration on May 14, 2003, a complimentary concert celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Grande Page Organ, and the dedication of the Honorary Marquee Entryway and Walk of Recognition. The 75th Anniversary celebrations will conclude with the lighting of the new Embassy Marquee in May 2004.

A little more information on my hometown theatre...Architect was the famous John Eberson, associated with local archtect A.M. Strauss....originally designed as the Fox Theatre and hotel complex, the theatre was taken over by Quimby Amusements (Quimby Theatres)and named the Emboyd by W. Clyde Quimby after his mother, Emma Boyd...Spanish Revival architecture...And Michael, it also houses the Fort Wayne Philharmonic for several events.....

I would like an audition. I do mostly musicals but I also want to do theatrical plays. Is there a number that I could call or an adress that i could send a letter to with info about myself. Please let me know as soon as possible. Thank-you!

Amber--

Note: Cinema Treasures is not affiliated with this theater. If you have a question about a recent ticket purchase or need to contact theater management, please contact the theater directly.

This being an Eberson theatre I had to include it on my favorites list! Can anyone give me background information on the 2 Eberson names....Drew and John? Were they related?

Patsy, Drew Eberson was John Eberson's son. Here is a little more info on John at least. http://www.design.upenn.edu/archives/majorcollections/eberson.html

Information on the organ:
http://theatreorgans.com/ftwayne/

"In 1972, the Embassy Theater Foundation purchased the theater to save it from demolition and conversion into a parking lot." This is what we like to read. May the Embassy Theater continue to prosper and be enjoyed!

Some information on the Organ in the Embassy Theatre from the Indiana Organ Society.
The Grande Page Organ, with its 1,110 pipes, is truly one of the Embassy's most beautiful assets. Installed in 1928, it is one of only three instruments of this magnitude built by the Page Organ Company of Lima, Ohio. It is one of two of those three instruments that has remained in its original location. This Grande Page Organ has been completely restored and is played at concerts, film series interludes and during the theatre's Yuletide Festival of Trees.

Added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1975

Embassy Theater and Indiana Hotel ** (added 1975 - Building - #75000041)
121 W. Jefferson St., Fort Wayne
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Eberson, John
Architectural Style: No Style Listed
Area of Significance: Performing Arts, Architecture
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Domestic, Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Hotel, Theater
Current Function: Commerce/Trade, Recreation And Culture, Work In Progress
Current Sub-function: Theater

This is apparently not an atmospheric theatre. David Naylor's "Great American Movie Theaters" credits the architecture to "A.M. Strauss, with John Eberson." Naylor writes that "The walls of this theater feature an unceasing array of bas-relief plasterwork. The influence of Eberson is most noticeable in the lobby spaces, particularly the tile-floored outer lobby." On his own, A.M. Strauss also designed Fort Wayne's Paramount Theatre, which opened two years later (1930).

Fire at the Embassy in 1976:
http://tinyurl.com/32lb3s

I will be hearing the Embassy Theatre organist, Mark Herman at the Riviera Theatre in N. Tonawanda NY (Buffalo area) for their July organ recital.

ken mc: Other than the photo you recently posted are there any other exterior (or even interior photos) to be viewed?

The May 13, 2005 post by TC about the organ gives some photos.

"A.M. Strauss also designed Fort Wayne's Paramount Theatre, which opened two years later (1930)." I can't seem to find any CT information on the Paramount that was in Fort Wayne.

I met Mark Herman and purchased his CD...what a talented young man and special evening at the Riviera in N. Tonawanda NY...former headquarters to the Mighty Wurlitzer!

The Indiana Hotel is the same address as the Embassy Theatre so they are part of the same complex and worth seeing when in Ft. Wayne IN so I hope to venture that way in the near future.

I'm looking for any information about W Clyde Quimby. If anyone has any please post. Thank you.

This 1932 ad lists five RKO theatres in Fort Wayne-- the Emboyd, Paramount, Jefferson, Palace, and Strand: www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/rkousa.jpg

Ordering information for organist Mark Herman's Embassy Theatre CD, "Premiere," can be found here: www.MarkHermanProductions.com.

A few photos are at this link.

Here are some 1982 photos:

Photo1

Photo2

Photo3

A wonderful history of the Embassy has been published and can be ordered online at the Embassy Foundation website: http://www.fwembassytheatre.org/home.htm
This is a comprehensive history of the Embassy. You will not be disappointed!

My great-grandfather, Paul F. Nachtigall, was the sculptor who created and carved the molds for the bas-relief plasterwork in the Emboyd (Embassy Theatre) and the Paramount Theater in Fort Wayne. I am looking for additional information about him or pictures of the construction...

Patsy - If you're still looking for information about the Paramount: I have an old article that says the Fort Wayne News Sentinel published a special section about the Paramount when it opened on October 3, 1930. If they maintain an archive, you may be able to find the article which should have plenty of information about the Paramount. Good luck!