Forum Theatre
236 Washington Street,
Binghamton,
NY
13901
236 Washington Street,
Binghamton,
NY
13901
4 people
favorited this theater
Showing all 19 comments
Very nice marquee on The Forum.
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.
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.
Here is a photo:
http://tinyurl.com/m6ezdm
Here are some 1987 photos:
Photo1
Photo2
Photo3
Photo4
Warren: Nice photos…thanks!
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
View link
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.
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
social media marketing
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?
MikeR: I just wrote the Forum to obtain an entertainment schedule as the town has a philharmonic orchestra which performs at the Forum. I also listed all of the Cinema Treasures theatres (closed and demolished) so it should be interesting to read their theatre response!
I believe that the Forum was once a part of the Comerford chain, like many of the other old theaters in the Triple Cities. The Morton organ is now being maintained by the Binghamton Chapter of the American Theater Organ Society.
See photos at http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=23648
Correction….CT has 5 theatres listed.
According to CT, Binghamton had 4 theatres over the years.
The Riviera (Stone Opera House) is still standing, next to the Strand Theatre, on Chenango St. in Downtown Binghamton.
Both have been converted to other uses, but their auditoriums remain sealed off and abandoned.
Patsy;
I will add it to the site.
I believe the Riviera is just closed and not demolished?
KenRoe: Can you find out anything concerning a theatre in Binghamton by the name of the Riviera at 33 Chenango Street?