North Theatre

The Historic North Theatre Performing Arts Center is a beautifully restored facility presenting all types of theatrical productions. The North Theatre originally opened on August 25, 1947 with Dick Haymes in “Carnival in Costa Rica”. It was Danville, Virginia’s finest movie and vaudeville house, with a seating capacity of 608. Unfortunately for the owner, Mr. Leonard Lea, TV hit about the time of opening and he never had a vaudeville performance. The theatre limped along screening exploitation movies toward the end and closed on June 10, 1976 with Fred Williamson and Roddy McDowall in “Mean Johnny Barrows”. After that time, it was an auction house, a number of different churches, and, finally from 1990 to 2003, Carolyn’s House of Flowers.

Because of the visionary efforts to reopen the North Theatre by local leaders, in 2003 a group was formed who purchased the theatre, a former restaurant next door with residence on the second floor and a third building next to the restaurant, which had been a two-story residence. The president of the group was local philanthropist Roy Gignac who was also a major donor. All told, over 3.5 million dollars was spent on the purchase and restoration of the complex which opened on February 25, 2005. The stage, originally 42 feet wide by 18 feet deep was enlarged to 42 feet wide by 38 feet deep. They had many wonderful productions, but because of a limited marketing budget and such high restoration costs they closed in 2010.

In September of 2011, celebrity magician Wayne Alan, America’s Only World Champion Illusionist discovered the North Theatre on the web (on Cinema Treasures) and found it was closed. Despite being five hours from his home in Annapolis, MD, something told him to look into the situation. He researched ownership of the building and found it was ‘For Sale’. After a series of phone conversations and e-mails he would be spurred on to visit the theatre in person. On November 8, 2011 he called Mr Gignac and was told that an offer had been made for the property. He later found that the offer had been made just five minutes before his call. He knew he had to make a move. The next morning, he drove the 5 hours to Danville from his home in Annapolis. He immediately fell in love with the facility and the town of Danville.

That night the 100 year old brick façade above the restaurant part of the complex, which had been leaning away from the building when he saw it earlier in the day, collapsed. The next morning, he was told by the lady at the front desk of his hotel “The North Theatre exploded and collapsed last night”. Most prospective buyers would have walked away, but not Wayne Alan. When he drove over to the theatre, he discovered what he had expected. The wall did fall, but there was no other damage to the building. He also knew that the wall would have to be replaced, so gravity actually saved him thousands of dollars for demolition.

The new owner will be booking top celebrity touring concerts and shows to perform in this 500-seat theatre, which has 384 seats in the orchestra level and 116 in the balcony. In addition, Mr. Alan’s theatre touring show “Magic of the Masters-the World’s Most Famous Illusions” - a modern look at Magic’s Golden Oldies will appear there once a month. It is a family friendly show with a touch of Broadway, Las Vegas and Branson combined. This big stage magic show will be the North Theatre’s resident show (like Shear Madness at the Kennedy Center, which has been there for over 20 years), and will be presented on the second Saturday of each month. The theatre will also host a number of other productions, festivals and special events.

We will strive to live up to the North Theatre’s first advertisement in the 1947 newspaper “Visit Danville’s new and finest theatre for the best in entertainment”.

Recent comments (view all 13 comments)

elviszappa on March 2, 2005 at 8:24 pm

It is not often that I am even close to speechless. Remember I said, “close to speechless”…

There was electricity in the air. Just ask anyone who was there. The moment I walked into the theatre I had goose bumps cover my arms. I knew that something big was happening. You could see it – you could feel it. This magnificent and stately theatre was about to get the respect it so long deserved. Anticipation flowed freely through the aisles and into every nook and cranny. While there was conversation in the seats prior to the performance it was more subdued than typical for a crowd that large – More respect given to this now living breathing work of art.

The Heath Brothers fit like a glove. They, like the theatre have been around for many years. While getting on in age themselves they brought life into the theatre. They brought depth and experience and life giving sounds. The theatre in turned shared this with all of us.

While I know it has taken many folks to bring the North back from the dead I must acknowledge the one who laid hands on it and said “rise up”.

Jerry Meadors had a vision – he had determination – he loves Danville and he made it happen.

Jerry… my children and their children and the generations of other families in this region will feel the impact of your commitment. Your work is truly appreciated. Sometimes it comes down to just to simple words.

Thank you!

jthack132 on March 9, 2005 at 12:55 am

I had the pleasure of attending the opening night of the North Theatre. All of my family was in attendance. I have heard tells of the old theatres of Danville, like the North, Lea, Dan, Rialto, Virginia, Bijou, Capitol, Schoolfield, Gaiety, Ritz, but you never really understand what it was like until you have the chance to experience it for yourself. My best wishes to Jerry Meadors and the Board of the North. I hope to attend many more shows. It is nice to see what someone can do when they are truely focused on a vision and the ideals behind historic preservation and restoration. It changes an entire community.

jthack132 on April 17, 2005 at 11:56 pm

Great job on Sam Shepard’s “True West.” Congrats to Jerry Meadors, Denny & Bryan Kirkwood, and Nathan Bexton. I hope others will come and see the performance. As well, I hope that others from Hollywood will become interested in participating in events and productions at the North Theatre. Again great job guys.

elviszappa on April 18, 2005 at 2:13 am

Opening night for True West was almost everything I had hoped for. The play was a great choice for the first professional production at the theatre. The actors were superb. The lightening was extraorinary. The theatre itself seemed to welcome the dialogue between the actors. A breath of stale air could be felt rushing toward the exit-the last of the old making a bit more space for the new. The gala that followed was as promised, a faboulous evening of wonderful food, beverage and dancing.

What, you might ask was the one thing that was missing that I had hoped for. A sold out house. The crowd was not small, but each seat was longing to be filled for this exceptional production. Maybe next time. It will not take long for the word of what’s happening at the North Theatre to spread far and wide. Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

AndyCallahanMajorMajor on January 4, 2011 at 5:56 pm

Here is my picture from December 2010.

countryboy43 on January 29, 2018 at 4:21 am

I worked at the North Theatre from 1960 to 1963, it was a lst run theatre showing the finest Hollywood could produce. Mr. L W Lea was a great manager and boss, he also ran the Lea Theatre downtown, and the Schoolfield Theatre located in the Schoolfield area, where I also worked when need.

Trolleyguy on September 7, 2019 at 5:12 pm

The marquee of this theatre showed up prominently in a crime documentary aired yesterday on the ID cable channel. Very brightly lit at night.

50sSNIPES on February 28, 2022 at 2:54 am

The actual opening date is August 25, 1947 with Dick Haymes in “Carnival Of Costa Rica” with no extra subjects.

rivest266 on June 23, 2023 at 12:57 am

Grand opening ad posted.

50sSNIPES on August 15, 2024 at 6:35 pm

During its final few years as a movie theater, it screened exploitation films. The North closed as a movie theater on June 10, 1976 with “Mean Johnny Barrows” and an unknown second feature.