Wheaton Grand Theater

Any news on the Wheaton Grand? I went by this weekend and it looks like someone has been working inside the building.

Let everybody understand, I like the Wheaton Grand. I would grimace at seeing this movie palace wrecked. However, being a preservationist, I would truly appreciate the return of the remaining Wonder Morton components to the Kings, if the parties found a way to accomplish this. In the event the Wheaton Grand is saved, there ARE other theater organs out there, awaiting a new home. In fact, I know of a virtually complete 3m Wurlitzer right in my home town, that is available!

Send the Wonder Morton back home to the Kings where it belongs

Very sad:(

Interesting photo
View link

Im hearing the theatre may be demolished

Man after all the dedate and name calling on this site now another set back thats too bad looks like a nice theatre.

The marquee was being painted white when i went by it yesterday. When i looked in the lobby there was a fair amount of water damage.

Here is a video of the organ to be installed in the wheaton
1 of 5 Wonder theatre organs from the Loew’s Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, New York.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SetFfovLkVQ

MarkG I had worked at the Glen and the Wheaton theatres and was wondering when you serviced the equipment? Those two theatres hold a fond place in my heart and any info you have I would be interested in. The only thing that makes the Wheaton theatre “Grand” is tiles on the front of the building that spell it out. I would argue the Wheaton was nicer than the Glen, but the Dupage was the gem of the three back in the day.

In reference to Life’s too short posting on 4/15. In the early 80’s the marquee was covered over because it was in terrible shape. I spoke with the man that did the work and he said the inside of the marquee was a mess back then (supports rusting away, exposed wires, not well supported) and can’t imagine what’s holding the sign on the building. I know when I worked there anytime the snow melted it all leaked though the underside of the sign. It was recovered every spring when I was there. If you have any other question I’d be glad to help.

Jwballer, the renovation hasn’t even started yet. Right now they’re projecting for this thing to be done by 2011. At this rate, who knows when it will ever open. But it’s practically open right now. A church currently rents out the theater, because as we all know Wheaton needs more churches. Of course this place is perfect for rock concerts. I don’t know why the powers that be have decided that rock concerts are not ok. Apparently actually making money is not high on the list of things to do at the theater.

Perhaps someone can tell me if rock concerts will ever be welcome in the newly restored wheaton grand, if that ever happens. Because rock and roll has been banned from there for the past 3 years. Is this a scene from footloose? Are they taking a page from wheaton college and rather than banning dancing they ban rock music? I’m glad Mr Shepardson and the board have taken something that was great for the community and especially great for the teens in wheaton and surrounding areas, and replaced it with yet another church. Sure a church will serve some people, but I think wheaton has every possible denomination covered.

when is the renovation going to be over?