Greenberg Theatre
4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW,
Washington,
DC
20016
4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW,
Washington,
DC
20016
1 person
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On April 12, 1978, Circle theaters opened the Tenley Circle Theatre as a twin theater with "Coming Home" and "A Little Night Music" The large house sat around 500. The smaller house sat around 200. A third auditorium was added in 1980.
In the late-1980’s, Circle was bought by Cineplex Odeon, which, though also opening the Wisconsin Avenue 6, continued to operate this very popular theater. The Tenley Circle closed in 1999. The theater was often used by film festivals, even after closing.
In March 2003 the state-of-the-art, 300-seat, Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theatre opened in the former Tenley Circle space, funded by a $2 million gift by the theatre’s namesakes to American University. The theater is used by American University and the DC community for plays, performances, film screenings, meetings, and private functions.
Contributed by
Howard B Haas, Hoiles
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
The Tenley theatre had a 70mm system when LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Frank Oz remake) opened in December of 1986. Question: was the theatre always set up with three auditoriums? or was it just one theatre initially?
sorry, correction, I had forgotten that it was two initially and a third screen was added. In it’s current configuration, the space is now just one auditorium with raked seating. Too bad, no films are being presented for this year’s Filmfest at the Greenberg.
May 2008 photos of the Greenberg/Tenley Circle Theatre: 1, 2, 3, 4
Here are some photos of the Tenley Circle.
Regarding the original Tenley Circle Theatre: the small auditorium held 198, the middle one 270, and the large auditorium 454. I worked at the Tenley from 1983 to 1985. Some of our visitors during that time included Siskel and Ebert, Lynda Carter, and Ted Koppel. It was a magical place.
I can’t recall was ‘Blue Thunder’ when it played at the Tenley presented in 70mm?