F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts

71 Public Square,
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701

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Related Websites

F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Comerford Theaters Inc., Paramount Pictures Inc.

Architects: Charles A. Ryan

Functions: Movies, Performing Arts

Styles: Art Deco

Previous Names: New Comerford Theatre, Paramount Theatre

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 570.832.4599
Manager: 570.832.4599

Nearby Theaters

theatre balcony, from side

A perfect example of an Art Deco style theatre, it opened as the New Comerford Theatre on August 18, 1938, with a seating capacity of 2,047. Built as the flagship theatre for the Michael Comerford chain.

By 1943, it was operated by Paramount Pictures Inc, through their subsidiary Frank Walker. Later renamed the Paramount Theatre after the 1949 anti-trust suits, it continued showing movies until 1977. Suffered a major flood with 14 feet of water in 1972. Susequent renovations stripped out the ornate lobby and many fixtures were sold.

It closed in the early-1980’s and was facing demolition, when in 1986 S.T.O,P. was able to get the building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building was subsequently restored and reopened as the Kirby Center for the Performing Arts.

Contributed by Drew Taylor, David A. Litterer

Recent comments (view all 9 comments)

atmos
atmos on January 6, 2005 at 4:29 am

The architect was Charles Ryan.Became Paramount theatre in 1949.Closed in 1977.Later restored and reopened in 1986.Originally opened as Comerford on 18 August 1938.

RJS
RJS on July 26, 2005 at 11:18 am

Here is a photo of the Paramount theater from early 1970’s before it became the F.M. Kirby center and had the marquee replaced.

atmos
atmos on January 22, 2007 at 2:27 am

According to the THSA annual of the Deco theatres John Eberson there is a drawing in the Wilkes-Barre Historical Society Archives for a Paramount Theatre dated 1 May 1931.Eberson designed this building for Comerford.It is quite possible that this theatre is an altered version of his original design.

caranfin
caranfin on November 7, 2009 at 7:52 pm

Thanks for the photos of the Kirby to those who posted them! I stumbled onto this site and started looking at local PA theatres (Pittsburgh), just for a lark. Then i saw this place and remembered that this was where i first met my boyfriend on that wonderful night in October 2004. Thanks for the memory!

rivest266
rivest266 on June 28, 2014 at 8:00 pm

August 15th 1938 grand opening ad in photo section

rivest266
rivest266 on July 12, 2014 at 8:05 pm

September 4th, 1949 reopening as Paramount also uploaded in the photo section.

Mike (saps)
Mike (saps) on August 31, 2016 at 9:05 pm

Saw a show here last night – Celtic Thunder – and the house is big and lovely, subdued and tasteful in the Art Deco style. Well worth a visit if you’re in the area.

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