Varsity Center for the Arts

Sadly , Rumor is that It will be closing down in mid to late 2003 as they are opening a new theater near the mall

The Varsity suffered from a fire in the mid-1980s, I believe when it was being turned into a triplex. Much of the interior was lost. The theater has a huge glass block tower above the marquee, on which Varsity is written in large letters. Haven't been inside since I was young, so I can't remeber much of the interior.

The fire at the Varsity occured in 1981, destroying what remained of the original decor. The main auditorium had already been divided in half, and they where addind a new auditorium. The people of the area are very upset, because Kerasotes promise that when the new theater opened, they would still keep the Varsity open. Then about a week before the new one opened, they annouced the Varsity would close.

Also, if you visit the Varsity today, you are not seeing the original exterior. The theater was originally covered in multicolored tiles. The tiles where removed around the time of the fire. The tilework extended beyond the theater itself, to the two buildings on either side of it. The round windows and the cornice detail are original, as are the marquee and tower.

Melders what are they ding with the Varsity now, I understood it closed when the mutiplex was opened.

I have heard nothing about it for about a year. The building is still there, but no one can make a decision over it.

That is a shame, there was a nice article in the St. Louis Post when it closed and a decent picture of it posted with the story.

Yeah it was a shame. They promised the city they would not close the Varsity, then announced the closure a week before it closed. Was the picture of the red brick exterior, or the colored tile exterior?

It was a night time picture with the Marquee lit up and the people milling around the theatre so it is hard to make out the front. Not the best picture but the neon if very colorful.

There is a commitee of local citizens that are going to hold a meeting soon on plans for the Varsity. They have several plans in the works, but can't do anything till they can make a deal with Kerasotes. Kerasotes does not traditionally let movies be shown in there old theaters, so there is no telling what the Varsity will be used for.

The "committee of local citizens" IS meeting and has been for more than a year. Unfortunately, in spite of this few big issues have been resolved. Kerasotes still owns the property and has expressed little interest in donating it to the community. The city and established local arts groups have taken a "hands-off" approach to the theater. Purchase and restoration of the property could be prohibitively expensive -- depending on which restoration model the community follows. On the bright side, the local citizen's group has found a number of local partners, some of whom will a) inhabit and produce content for the building after it is renovated and other who are b) assisting with technical expertise in producing a workable plan. There is still hope for the theater, but hope doesn't keep mold from growing or stop the current owners from selling off theater assets (like the projection equipment).

I remember going to the Varsity back in the sixties when I was a student at SIU. It was very convenient for students. We could walk there from campus. The theater was very old and had only a standard size screen of 1.85:1 .
Whenever a wide screen film was shown they lowered a black mask which draped across the top of the screen in order to create a 2.35:1 ratio screen - letterboxing in the sixties! So the wide screen films were actually smaller than the standard size images. I have a feeling a lot of minimal budget theaters of the era resorted to similar riggings in order to accommodate wide-screen movies.
There wasn't really a balcony, just the back fourth of the seating resembled "stadium" seating - a steep climb up to the seats. I remember hearing that in the days of the 1950s and earlier that back section was for "colored only", but that wasn't the case when I was there.

Paulench, you are correct. When the theater was built, it was segregated, with the "balcony" being for blacks, and the rest of the theater was resevered for whites.

I became an adult in that theater with midnight shows of "Erotic Adventures of Zorro", "Ribald Tales of Robin Hood", and "Flesh Gordon", all for $1.50 each.

So is there nothing going on in that small gem of a theatre?

Doesn't have anything to do with this theater, but thought you might find it interesting to know that the Rapp brothers where born and raise in Carbondale. There father was the main construction contractor in town, and actually built several of his sons' early designs in the city.

Our company, Grande Venues, Inc., has made inquiries to the city (and now looking to the community fvor assistance) about operating the Varsity Theatre. We are looking for concert promoters, children's theatre advocates and presenters, as well as theatre companies and individual performers. First run movies will probably not work as the current owner has a "deal" for any potential buyer but we will consider an Arts House or Film Festival format. Anyone interested, please contact us at info@grandevenues.com

Well, I hope they do their research first!!!

http://www.annoyanceproductions.com/lawsuit.html

Why is this article posted on this site? This is truly remarkable. So many "allegations and enemies." Perhaps my story should be made into a movie starring say, Richard Dreyfus or Danny DeVito. Why bring up all this stuff on this specific site? It has very little to do with this theatre's posting but what the heck. So much misinformation here. So many lies, but hey: this is America. Say what you like and don't check your facts! Assassinate someone's character while remaining anonymous but what the hell. It's America. OK. Here's a quick fact check for the people who really matter and proof you cannot always believe what you read in the newspapers or from what is written on these blogs. Mike Novelli is the President of GVI and had nothing to do with any of your allegations other than for the Wheaton, Zoe and Lawford Theatres. Leave him out of the rest or are you too ignorant to recognize that other corporations have come and gone without him. 1. GVI paid all workers at the Lawford Theatre in Havana except for two who are being investigated for theft. 2. We did NOT accept donation money at the Wheaton except for the outstanding fundraiser set up by Todd Plagman and many others for wounded veteran Sgt. Joel Gomez. This was a fundraiser that we all produced last January and audited then turned over ALL money to Community Bank. 3. I like smarter people than me because I learn from them. I don't see to many on this site however. 4. I am proud that we sold calendars from the lobby of the Portage Park Theatre. No one else was helping us. (See many other postings about the Portage Park Theatre.) We returned everyone's deposits, by the way, unlike the mess with the Annoyance Theatre company. I have accepted responsibility for the $4K debt personally as I have with the $5K debt for the Uptown Theatre, (Pales). 5. The Henslowe Group was not given the cease and desist order at the Portage. Our tenant, The Universal Church was issued the order for "building without a permit." I had three partners there. Why don't you hound them: Richard Pales, Kevin Miner and Jessica Deans. 6. I am a rather pleasant man who likes cigars, fun people, travel, the theatre and music, and lively discussions about politics and social issues with intelligent witty people.

Why is this on this site? It has nothing to do with this theater. Why doesn't "goaway" take his own advise and GO AWAY! I am glad someone has actually taken interest in this theater, since no one else has. And if Mr. Warshauer can convince Kerasotas to sell this theater before it falls to pieces, he will be my hero!

Melders: Thanks! We will try our best!

Paul, if you are looking for a theater company to help, try The Stage Company. They where recently kicked out of Carbondale's old opera house, because the bank that owns it didn't want to pay for repairs and decided to demolish it. I think they breifly considered the Varsity, but decided that it would be best if they built there own theater. Perhaps if they could find a partner to share the renovation costs, they would be interested in the Varsity.

Melders, I am a student journalist at SIU and reporter for the Daily Egyptian. I was wondering if you would be available to help me on a story I am writing about the Varsity, seeing as how you know so much about it. Please e-mail me at leahwill@siu.edu if you are able to help. Thanks, Leah

melders:

It is entirely possible that this theatre would be better off without Paul Warshauer. I understand your desire to have someone pay attention to the Varsity. But, serious issues have been raised about Paul. In fact the same unfortunate story seems to play out over and over again. Do some reading on your own:

http://cinematreasures.org/theater/5231/

http://cinematreasures.org/theater/69/

http://cinematreasures.org/theater/1712/

http://cinematreasures.org/theater/5744/

http://cinematreasures.org/theater/437/

Paul holds himself out to be a wizard of theatre restoration...operating old movie houses far and wide. But he refuses to share any of his claimed success stories with the rest of us. This is ridiculous. Why would you hide your successes? What's more, nobody in the preservation community can name a theatre that Paul has rescued.

If Paul can name one community that loves him for rescuing their theatre, I wouldn't have a problem with him. But all I see is a string of people who feel that he has done them wrong...people living in communities where the neighborhood movie house remains unrestored.

As usual, Life's Too Short is misinformed. We do not share our successes on line. Sad that this person in Wheaton pollutes all the sites where we try and do good things. The people of Carbondale will see results if we get involved. Not all of the information is on these silly postings. Intelligent people go elsewhere. Give it a rest.

I don't believe that I am misinformed. Why don't you share your successes online? What is the reason for that policy? You don't even have references posted on your official company web site...like Conrad Schmitt Studios does, for instance. I know a lot of people who have been involved in preservation for decades...who hold positions within highly respected preservation-related 501(c)(3) organizations. Why don't they know of your successes...only your failures? And finally, why did you tell a Quincy, Illinois newspaper that you ran the Wheaton Grand Theatre two months after it is documented that your contract was terminated and the locks were changed at the Wheaton Grand to keep you out? If you have successful references, why did you tell the newspapers about the Wheaton Grand?

Your responses are entirely predictable. These questions, and similar ones, have been posed to you over and over again. Instead of answering them, you avoid the questions, and defame the person asking them.

If you could list one successful project Paul, you would never have to hear from me again. But you can't do that, can you...because there aren't any.

We'd like to remind everyone to keep the conversation here productive.

When posting a comment, please make sure your comment is informative, friendly, and free of personal attacks. If you fail to follow these guidelines (and our terms of use), your comment will be removed.

Due to recent activity, we're also considering not allowing new comments on this theater. It would be a shame to take this step, but if people are unable to respect the rules of this open forum, we may be forced to take action.

Remember... we can only save theaters if we work together. ;)

Best,
Patrick Crowley
Co-founder, Cinema Treasures

Please do not prevent comments on this theater. I hope that Mr. Warshauer or someone does get involved. This theater despritely needs someone to step up and save it. I don't care if Mr. Warshauer has had problems in the past, everyone makes mistakes. Hopefully he will step up and prove Life's too short wrong!

Thank you. We will do our best. Our staff will be down in Carbondale with a crew within the month! If you would like to join our "tour" call the office. (630) 480-3345.

I'm sorry you feel that way melders. I wish you the best in any dealings with Paul Warshauer. Don't come back later and say you were not given warning.

Why are you sorry? Because I hope someone steps in to save this theater? What is your deal with Paul anyway? Did he hurt you in any way? If not, please leave this message board alone, I would hate to lose it. Also, if Paul can manage to purchase or lease this theater from Kerasotas, I don't really how much he screws it up. Just getting the theater would be a miracle.

melders:

Based on everything I have seen, this theatre (any theatre) would be better off without Paul. I, and many others, think that Paul is a dangerous presence in American preservation. I think the comments above describe my reasoning well enough. I haven't been hurt by Paul personally. But others have been. I fear that your desperation with regard to the Varsity may be clouding your logic. Paul is a good salesman. So he will probably have some confidence-inspiring comeback to post. But this is the last I will say on the subject here. The moderators of this web site have made their wishes clear. And actually, I think my point has been made. Good luck.

Lifes too short, as usual you go to far. Do not speak for all those who have worked with Mike Novelli and me on restoration. I am glad tdhat you will finally be quiet and let us do our work. Melders is an adult and so are the people of Carbondale. Let THEM decide on what they want and not you! Goodbye!

I feel that anyone that is willing to take on a project such as this deserves my respect. Life, you have no idea what has gone on with this theater. The former operator promised that it would not close, then closed it with only a weeks notice. That is better than they did with the other old theater in town, they announced it was closing the same day it closed. Then the city talked about wanting to save it, but did nothing. They purchased an abandoned bar in the area from a convicted child molester at a price much higher than its real value. They bought it with the intention of demolishing the structure. Many people in town where furious that they purchased that structure, while ignoring the beatiful Varsity just down the street.

Paul, can you give me an example of a theater you had success with? I hope Life is correct in saying he has said all he needs too and will stay off this board.

The Southern Illinoisan recently ran an article on the theater(which I could not find on there online version). It said that little interest has been shown in the theater and the city's attempts to talk to Kerasotas have accomplished nothing. The city is still inforcing building codes and conducting inspections to make sure Kerasotas is performing maintaince of the structure. The article also mentioned that Kerasotas has been using the theater, as storage space.

Melders,

I am doing a documentary on the Varsity. If you or anyone you know has info on it or pictures of the interior, let me know. Thanks.

Melders,
Is the University 8 at 1370 Main St. still open? I know that this was an AMC and Kerasotes took over operations in 2000 but it's not listed on CT. Was wondering if Kerasotes kept it open when they opened their new Show Place 8.

Yes they kept the University 8 open.

I didn't remember that C'dale had so many theaters until I found this site. As a student you really depend upon these venues to while away the time. If Paul Enchelmayer ever stops by again, Hi from George Thompson. R/TV '67-'74.

In a 1969 phone book, the Varsity is listed as CARBONDALE'S TOP ENTERTAINMENT CENTER. The phone number was 457-6100.

Here is a recent photo of the former Varsity theater.

the amc/univesity 8 (by wal-mart) has simply been changed to Kerasotes University 8.

to add to melders statement of "yes they kept it open", this is true, however, it seems as if they have done little to upgrade/improve the existing state of the facilites. yes, they finally got new seating, however, i do not think the company respects the people of southern illinois, b/c in no way have they "wowed" anyone with their facilities. Examples: chairs that mold to your body, arm rest that move so couples can snuggle, etc).

also, karesotes seemingly does little to improve the variety of movies one can see. between the three theatres they have (2 in c'dale, 1 in marion) if there's something that's missing from carbondale, the nearest place you could go to watch it would be st. louis, b/c there's a 99% chance that it won't be featured in marion.

it's all about the bottom dollar, not about the quality of service.

the amc/univesity 8 (by wal-mart) has simply been changed to Kerasotes University 8.

to add to melders statement of "yes they kept it open", this is true, however, it seems as if they have done little to upgrade/improve the existing state of the facilites. yes, they finally got new seating, however, i do not think the company respects the people of southern illinois, b/c in no way have they "wowed" anyone with their facilities. Examples: chairs that mold to your body, arm rest that move so couples can snuggle, etc).

also, karesotes seemingly does little to improve the variety of movies one can see. between the three theatres they have (2 in c'dale, 1 in marion) if there's something that's missing from carbondale, the nearest place you could go to watch it would be st. louis, b/c there's a 99% chance that it won't be featured in marion.

it's all about the bottom dollar, not about the quality of service.

Keresotes Theatres has always been a "penny-pincher" type of company. Upkeep and maintenance is NOT part of their language.

I remember the Varsity well... Saw Animal House there in the late 1970s, my friends and I loved it (we also had been drinking at the American Pub, PKs, and Merlins prior).

Great news! Kerasotas has donated the theater to the city, and the city plans to renovate it and use it as a performance center for local theater groups.

Here is a small photo of the Varsity:
http://tinyurl.com/2r5uk5

small? That photo shows so much more detail than the photo I posted on Sep 5, 2006.

I'm not sure the statement above regarding maintenance is fair. Kerasotes is investing a lot of money to update the twenty year-old Webster Place on Clybourn Ave. in Chicago. Maybe it is a property by property attitude. If I am a business owner, and I see a particular asset as less important, I am not going to throw a lot of money at it.

There are two Kerasotes circuit (or were). There was a family argument and some theatres became GKC Theatres (for George Kerasotes), and the other, Kerasotes Theatres. Bloomington and Champaign/Urbana, Illinois were GKC Theatres out of the original Springfield home base, while Galesburg theatres were operated by Kerasotes out of Chicago. The GKC Theatres have now been sold to another circuit (Cinemark?)in the last couple of years.

I should add, that while GKC was operated out of Springfield, the North/South split wasn't entirely geographical. GKC ran theatres into upstate Illinois and I think, Indianna and Michigan, while also running theatres to the south. They shied away from Chicago, at least in part because of the strength of Local #110 at the time. Carbondale was probably as far south at they went.

The Varsity theater in Carbondale, Illinois is mentioned by a character in the 1980's television series "Fame", as the place where the school principal served as an usher while in college in the early 1950's. From the conviction with which the line was delivered one gets the feeling that either the actor in question or the writer of that scene actually had that particular life experience.

The theater offically was given to the city this week, who then turned it over to the Stage Company. The local news showed the interior, and to my suprise, it appeared to be in great condition. Looked almost like it had been empty a couple weeks, not almost 5 years. Of course I wasn't there so can't really say for sure.

The Company claims to already have over $100,000 dollars ready to use, which is probably true considering they have been fundraising for a new home for 3 or so years.

I'd link to the article in the local paper, but they are unreliable as to how long they keep articles on their website so I'll just review what they plans are right now. The Stage Company plans to build a stage in one of the theaters and move in this fall. It will sit about 140-150. They then plan to work on the bigger theater, seating about 300, and have it ready sometime in the future. They plan to spruce up the small theater in the balconey and show movies in it, possibly foreign films. They plan to work on restoring the lobby, which does appear to need some work as it is painting in what appears to be plan white house paint. They also would like to work on the exterior.

When exactly did the Varsity catch fire? i know it happened while they were twinning it, but exactly whe? This info would be appreciated.

I'm looking for some info about the Varsity.

Could tlogan, melders, chris bodkin or anyone else that went to the theater or knows something about it email me.

my address is stewart_brent@yahoo.com

Thanks.

The Varsity burned on February 16, 1981. The third theater was already constructed at the time. The fire was caused by a worker's cutting torch, he was cutting a piece of conduit that went thru the wall between the back of the main theater and the new one. Sparks from the torch went thru the pipe and ignited some seats stacked against the wall behind the main theater. the fire then spread to a curtain on the screen and went up into the attic. The main theater was completely destroyed. The second and third theaters suffered major smoke damage. The Varsity was closed for the next three and a half months. It finally reopened for business as a triplex on June 12, 1981. The following movies shown that night were Raiders of the Lost Ark, Breaker Morant, and Clash of the Titans. A newspaper ad for June 11 proclaimed the Varsity had new seats, new decor, new sound and projection equipment, and new transitional heating and air conditioning.

The last two movies shown the day before it burned were Altered States and Charlie Chan and the Curse of The Dragon Queen.

I also forgot to add that in either April or May they had one screen running films, more than likely it was the new third screen they had just opened. The other two theatres were still being renovated at the time.

The Varsity is set to reopen tonight. The stage company has renovated one of the theaters and will present their first production there this weekend. They also clean-up the lobby and restored the marquee. The Southern Illinoisanhas an article and video up on their website today about the reopening.

According to the article, there is still a lot of work to be done - the nlobby, intermission room and the "east" auditorium (the addition) have been refurbished; future stages call for renovating the main auditorium and balcony; total cost would be about 4.5 mil, to be completed by 2012.

This is a 2009 photo.

Picture from February 1982:
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c13%2c3%2c489&catpagesize=25&ProductID=25965

The February 22, 1941, issue of Boxoffice published a photo of the Varsity Theatre in Carbondale. The caption attributed the design to St. Louis architect Oliver W. Stiegemeyer.

Additional photographs of the Varsity illustrate an article about the recently-opened house in Boxoffice of August 17, 1940.