Forum Theatre
236 Washington Street,
Binghamton,
NY
13901
236 Washington Street,
Binghamton,
NY
13901
4 people
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Originally opened for vaudeville and movies as the Binghamton Theatre (retaining that name into the 1950’s) it had a seating capacity of 1,804 given in the Film Daily Yearbook, 1941 edition. It later became the Capri Theatre.
In summer 1975 it was announced that the Capri was being considered as the future home for the Broome County Performing Arts Center. Also announced at the same time was that a large Robert-Morton theatre pipe organ was being installed in the theatre by local organ enthusiasts.
Now known as the Forum Theatre, it is home to the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra’s Pops Series, Tri-Cities Opera, Broadway Theatre League and various dance groups.
Contributed by
KenRoe
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Recent comments (view all 19 comments)
Joe Masher: Interesting to read your 2005 post concerning the Strand and the Riviera….“both have been converted to other uses, but their auditoriums remain sealed off and abandoned”. Is this still the case?
Bingham theatre was one of the biggest theatres in New York, the seating capacity of this theatre was 1,804 as per the film daily year book and later it was named as Capri. In 1975 it was considered to be the home for Broome county performing center. Robert-Morton theatre pipe organ was also being installed in the theatre.
Fletcher123
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Patsy, it’s good you are relaying to the Forum people that you are interested in the Forum’s history. Also, regarding the Strand and Riviera: the front part of the Strand (formerly the lobby which was torn out to be converted into restaurant space) is currently for sale. The front part of the Riviera is also for sale. Both of these theaters auditoriums have not been in use for close to 30 years and are really in need of a restoration.
Here are two auditorium images taken by a cellphone camera during a recent performance.
The second shows the dome in the ceiling. My thanks to Jack Robinson and his son, Warren, for providing them:
View link
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Warren: Nice photos…thanks!
Here are some 1987 photos:
Photo1
Photo2
Photo3
Photo4
Here is a photo:
http://tinyurl.com/m6ezdm
The Binghamton Theatre was renamed the Capri Theatre in 1960. Boxoffice of June 20 reported that Comerford Theatres had held an invitational premier on June 8, and the remodeled house had opened to the public the following night. The renovation had included reseating the auditorium, reducing its capacity from about 1,800 to about 1,200.
As I recall, the Capri was also the only theater in the Binghamton area that was outfitted for Cinerama. It was a wonderful theater.
I had the opportunity to work on stage crew for the Tri-Cities Opera. Prior to the Capri being remodeled and turned into a performing arts center, the Technical Director of the Opera took several of us on a tour of the old Capri, including the old dressing rooms and a rehearsal room that was below the stage from vaudeville and live performance days. I wish I had pictures to share, it was pretty amazing stuff to see.
Very nice marquee on The Forum.