Saenger Theatre

Work began on restorig the Saenger in January. Since the renovation was announced, the budget has increased to over $50 million. The 1950’s marquee and other exteriotr signs have been removed. The stagehouse is currently being dismantled to make way for a new, state of the art, enlarged stage.

Saenger grand opening ad from July 23rd, 1964 has been uploaded to the photo page.

Their official website is back up at http://thesaengertheatre.com/

Mostly it’s a place holder saying more details on the renovation will come soon and has links to their productions at Mahalia jackson theatre.

This article http://www.wdsu.com/r/27209846/detail.html

points out that the repairs still hasn’t started yet, as the legislature is working out an extension to the developer’s tax credits. They’re still hoping to have it reopened for the 2012-2013 season.

interesting stories,the media makes you think New Orleans is forgotten.Great pictures again guys.

From the 1940s a postcard view of Canal Street along with the Saenger and Loew’s Theatres in New Orleans.

From the early 1930s a postcard view of the Saenger and Loewe’s State Theatres on Canal Street in New Orleans.

Don, that post card must be a hand drawn one. the Loew’s State was down some from the Saenger on the opposite side of the street, the post card makes it look like it was directly across the street. But it is a good sketch.

Announcing a book about New Orleans Movie Theaters

THEREâ€\S ONE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
The History of the Neighborhood Theaters in New Orleans
is being written by 89-year-old Rene Brunet, the dean of the motion picture industry in Louisiana, and New Orleans historian and preservationist Jack Stewart. The 160-page,coffee table book will be released in November and is being published by Arthur Hardy Enterprises, Inc. Attention will be focused on 50 major neighborhood and downtown theaters, culled from a list of nearly 250 that have dotted the cityâ€\s landscape since the first “nickelodeon” opened in 1896 at 626 Canal Street. The book will be divided by neighborhoods and will open with a map and a narrative about each area. Each major theater will feature “then and now” photographs, historic information, and a short series of quotes from famous New Orleanians and from regular citizens who will share their recollections.
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED
We are trying to acquire memorabilia and additional photos of this theater for this publication. (deadline July 1.) You will be credited in the book and receive a free autographed copy if we publish the picture that you supply. Please contact Arthur Hardy at or call 504-913-1563 if you can help.

2010 photo of the Saenger Theatre.
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Bway, both great photos.

Here’s a photo I took of two streetcars in New Orleans last week, but I noticed I got the marquee of the old Saenger in the background.
The marquee says:

WE DAT!!
WORLD CHAMPION SAINTS!

The theater itself looked horrible though. The right side of the building had all the windows boarded up, and plywood covered all the entrance doors. The place looked awful….Hopefully the place gets renovated, as it used to look so good.

Click here for photo

Here are more photos from 1982:

Photo1

Photo2

Photo3

More good news about the Saenger and a color interior photo at this website.

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