Garde Arts Center

The Garde Theatre is located at 325 State Street.

I like the marquee, the roundness of it makes it unique.

That is the new marquee that was put up when the theatre was restored in the last few years. The previous one was the typical triangular marquee.

I came down from Providence to visit the Garde last night for a performance of the Verdi Requiem by the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, with chorus and soloists. I had never seen the inside of this marvelous theatre, and it is a joy. A north African desert motif inspires the lavish murals and decorations. The balcony lobby area is an especially pleasant space. The theatre is a complete delight, and anyone visiting New London should make a point of checking out this terrific place. Now if the nearby long-dormant Capitol can be reborn!

Does the Garde still do the classic movies during the summer? When I lived in the New London area from 2000-2003, they used to do a summer Classic movies night. The interior of this theatre is absolutely beautiful. Is anything being done to the Capitol?

The website is worth a visit for the photos of the lovely auditorium, which is not atmospheric even though the theatre's site describes it as such.

I watched the director's cut of Blade Runner there several years back. The sound system is commendable.

I understand that this theater is home to the largest remaining movie theater screen in Connecticut. Prior to the renovation, I saw restored prints of Ben Hur, Lawrence of Arabia, and Bridge on the River Kwai there. These widescreen epics deserve to be seen on the big screen... a REALLY big screen. Unfortunately, the Garde doesn't run a classic film schedule. Bummer!

The marquee reminds me of the one that was on the late, great Coliseum Theatre in Seattle.

I've been past this place a few times, next time, I'm going in to see a show.

Listed in the New Haven Advocate's Annual Manual. "A bonafide 1930s movie palace restored in the 1990s to its former magnificence and now serving as a multi-media performing arts center, with a Broadway subscription series...not to mention skads of children's shows and a summertime film series. A major venue in an out-of-the-way seaside city, you never know if a show will be sold out or desolate; just go with the flow.

Here is the Garde Arts Center at night.

I second that, SNWEB.ORG.

This was the Garde Theater in 1986.

The Garde Theatre opened on Sept. 22, 1926 with seating listed at 1.545.