D & R Theatre
205 South I Street,
Aberdeen,
WA
98520
205 South I Street,
Aberdeen,
WA
98520
4 people
favorited this theater
Originally opened in 1924 with a seating capacity of 1,500 and closed in 1985. This large theater has been recently the subject of exterior renovations.
The D & R Theatre had planned to reopen, restored, in May 2008 for live events. However that deadline past, and renovation work continued. It finally reopened on October 17, 2009.
Contributed by
Ken Layton
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Recent comments (view all 145 comments)
My father, E.P. Evans, managed the D & R (stands for Dolan and Reynolds) from 1955-1965 when it was managed by National General Corp. I started working behhind the concession counter when I was 14; my salary was a bag of Hershey’s kisses each month.
I recall the lowering all of the chandeliers twice a year to wash each crystal by hand. I also remember trips with my dad downstairs to check on the theatre’s boiler system. There was a series of “canals” cut into the middle of the basement floor which my dad dubbed the “Aberdeen River”.
Well they’ve run into another snag. Seems they have a problem with “Admissions tax”:
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Many cities and towns levy an “admissions tax” on movie theaters and legitimate theaters on tickets sold. The 5 percent figure quoted in the newspaper story is the average rate in Washinton state. Naturally you also must pay sales tax. Taxes have been a normal part of the theater industry for decades.
Returning to Aberdeen in July for AHS reunion; am bringing my son with me and want him to see the D & R and 7th Street theatres. My father managed both theatres from October, 1955 to June, 1965. I remember dancing on the stage at the 7th Street each year at my dance recitals. Both theatres represent the era of the ornate theatres that were prevalent in the early 20’s.
Definitely a far cry from the black boxes we have now; we need to cherish these structures.
Well it looks like they will have to pay the admissions tax:
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History and photos of the D&R organ from PSTOS.
http://pstos.org/instruments/wa/aberdeen/d-r.htm
More 2005 photos pre-renovation.
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Great Pictures,Chuck 1231.
Great new marquee,lots of neon.
They are doing well. Big name talent has been booked. Bill Cosby is coming in July.
Here is the theater’s official website:
http://dandrtheatre.com/
Nice web site. Good to see that they are doing well and bringing in good shows. Was amused that on their web page the “History” of the D&R is a cut and paste of my original blog here on Cinema Treasures.