Palace Performing Arts Center
246 College Street,
New Haven,
CT
06510
246 College Street,
New Haven,
CT
06510
2 people
favorited this theater
The Palace Performing Arts Center was formerly known as the Roger Sherman Theater and before that, the Palace Theater. It is currently closed.
Contributed by
Roger Katz
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Recent comments (view all 24 comments)
Well, it looks like it will reopen as it’s being remodeled now but only for a stint until late summer because
nearby Toad’s Place needs a venue because of repeated liquor violations. Read the article: View link
Live at Toad’s Palace?
A new pad for Toads, DeStefano’s consolation prize, R.I.P. Art Buchwald, Molly Ivins and WAVZ.
February 8, 2007
Toad’s Place employees and hard-hatâ€"wearing construction workers have been seen entering and leaving the shuttered Palace Theater on College Street.
A construction outfit confirms it is “beautifying the building:†painting, doing the floors andâ€"get thisâ€"replacing the seats.
So you could understand the rumors that Toad’s plans to hold concerts in the theater during the summer months, when the club must shut down for getting caught selling alcohol to minors.
And if the landmark theater is not being refurbished as a concert venue, why was everyone so cagey when asked if that’s what’s happening?
Toad’s Place owner Brian Phelps and club employees would not comment for this story. A spokesperson for College Street LLC, which owns the Palace, wouldn’t either, saying only that the theater was being renovated because it is “the right thing to do.†That same person hinted that shows are returning to the theater, but said someone else would be running them.
Anthony Chella, who does construction for College Street LLC said they are “beautifying the building,†but stopped there.
Are they making the place pretty for Toad’s Place?
“That’s not been confirmed,†says Chella.
The last building permit issued for the Palace building was in 2002, for the falafel restaurant next door. The state liquor board hasn’t had any applications to serve booze there, an official says.
Joel Schiavone, who used to own the Palace, recently strolled into the building. “The doors were open and I just walked in. It was a terrible mess,†he says.
Schiavone too heard, from a parking lot attendant, that Toad’s is taking over the operation. A Crown Street parking attendant told the Advocate he’s seen men hauling trash bags out the theater’s back door.
Marc McCallister, a cook at Diner 21 who hangs out at Ultra Radio next door to the Palace, says he’s seen the guy who runs lights for Toad’s going in and out of the theater.
“He told me he was over here trying to figure out what kind of equipment he’d need because they’ll be doing shows,†says McCallister.
So the word is out, though unconfirmed. If Toad’s is in fact fixing the place up, it could take a lot of work to get it into concert shape. Schiavone says the theater has been without heating or air condition for five or six years and the seats were torn out when he walked in.
Starting May 6, Toad’s Place will close its doors for 90 days to comply with a 2005 order by the Connecticut Commission on Liquor Control. That was the second time Toad’s had been cited for allowing minors to drink on site. The club was ordered to pay a $90,000 fine, and stands to lose a lot of revenue during the summer months. The venue may be trying to skirt those losses by hosting concerts at the Palace.
Saw King Crimson here…the version that had two bass players and two drummers. Early 90’s? Had a nice view from the right upper balcony.
Excellent article on the fate/future of the Palace. View link
According to the article the Palace was built as the Roger Sherman in 1925, on the site of the Rialto which burned in 1921.
The developer, David Nyberg, has been maintaining the building (it’s been kept heated since pipes burst 2 years ago, flooding it.)
They’ve put on a new roof and done complete asbestos removal and plumbing work, but right now a lot more needs to be done with regard to HVAC, electrical, adequate dressing rooms, concession area, administrative offices, bigger lobby, etc. Ceiling has been repainted midnight blue, and a lot of the ornamental details are well preserved.
The main problem is finding an entertainment group to run the theatre – they said once one is found, the building could be ready to open in 6 months.
While we want to see all old theaters preserved, the reality is that New Haven already has the Shubert. There is no need for a second theater. Even a city as large as New Haven can only support one arts center, and in these tough economic times, that is truer than ever. Look at Stamford, where the bankrupt SCA has to bring in Jerry Springer and his ilk to fill their second theater, the Rich Forum.
Well, never say never. I was just on the “Live Nation” Chevy (Oakdale) Theater site, and in the lower corner they link to other CT. theaters that are part of the Live Nation network. And one of them is the Palace Theater. THIS PALACE THEATER! Same address and all. You go to the page, and it says no listings at this time. Regardless, is something going on with this theater that we don’t know about? Hey, Live Nation has big pockets. If they want their own theater in New Haven, all the better.
1983 Photo
The Roger Sherman Theatre reopened on December 23, 1961, following a major remodeling designed by architect Drew Eberson. The house was then the Stanley Warner circuit’s zone flagship, according to the item in Boxoffice of January 1, 1962, which also said: “The interior was completely stripped for the extensive wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling renovation program.” The opening movie was Disney’s “Babes In Toyland.”
A rendering of the new front of the Roger Sherman was published in Boxoffice of December 18, 1961. This item said that the remodeled house would feature continental seating, and that total capacity would be reduced by 350 seats.
I was an usher at the Roger Sherman Theater 1966/67.
In 1966 The Roger Sherman theater held the Premier of the remake of the movie “Stagecoach” Winchester Corp was the sponsor and sponsored this gala event because it was their 100th anniversary.
IThe ushers were lined up and ushered the stars that were there to their seats. I ushered Anne Francis next to Bob Cummings.
The Director Martin Ratkin wanted to kill the projectionist, because the film broke twice, with the packed house.
Other dignitaries were Michael Connors (who I told he could not smoke) and Slim Pickins. email me for more info
art.fil
This theatre is also listed in the John and Drew Eberson archives at the Wolfsonian in Florida as having alterations around 1944.