State Theatre
1519 Euclid Avenue,
Playhouse Square,
Cleveland,
OH
44115
1519 Euclid Avenue,
Playhouse Square,
Cleveland,
OH
44115
10 people
favorited this theater
One of a set of theaters occupying the Loew’s Building on Euclid Avenue (the other being the Ohio Theatre), the State Theatre obviously, was built for the Loew’s circuit, opening on February 7, 1921, and, like the Ohio Theatre, was designed by Thomas W. Lamb. The State Theatre operated as a vaudeville and movie house, turning primarily to movies only after the 1930’s. The State Theatre closed the same week as the Ohio Theatre, in early-1969.
Like the Ohio Theatre, while it was closed, the State Theatre fell into serious disrepair, with holes in the auditorium’s roof opening the theater to the elements, destroying a great deal of its original decor. Furthermore, in the early-1970’s, the seats from both theaters were removed and sold in an auction.
The Playhouse Square Association, which was formed in 1970, when plans were announced that both the State Theatre and Ohio Theatre would be razed to make way for parking (which fortunately never came to fruition), brought the State Theatre back into the public awareness by hosting the Playhouse Square Cabaret in the State’s main lobby for several years, beginning in 1973, which was a huge success.
In 1977, the Loew’s Building was acquired by Cuyahoga County, and the next year, added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Since its restoration, bringing much of the 1920’s appearance back to this moderate-sized theater, the State Theatre is now used for cabaret-style performances, concerts and comedy acts.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 45 comments)
SAD. But not surprising considering how inconsiderate people are in public anymore……..
Great 1969 photo of the 2 Loews marquees.
10-page grand opening ad from February 5th, 1921 is at
http://www.calameo.com/books/0002479289bb200e6c10f
Just wondering as Loews had these two theatres in the same building if they shared the same Manager or did both theatres have seperate Manager and staff. When I worked for Loews I got moved around a lot but the theatres were not right next door to each other.
As I recall during the 50s when I was in Cleveland, 1 person managed both theaters as well as the Loews Stillman which was down the street a few blocks. I would assume that maybe each theater had an assistant manager. Anyone know for sure?
At one time Cleveland had a City Manager with each theatre having its own manager and assistants, the Regional manager also had his office at the State Theatre in Cleveland (during the early 1960’s the Reg. Mgr. was Rein Rabakuk). It was pretty much the same way in St. Louis where the City Managers office was at the State theatre but the theatre also had a manager along with there being a manager and assistants at the Orpheum and the Mid City.
Thanks Chas and Chuck, In Nashville our City Manager had his office upstairs in the Crescent building but he was also the Manager of that theatre and had an Asst,Me most of the time,the others 2 theatres had their own Manager and Asst.Rein Rabakuk was our District Manager based out of Dallas he would visit our theatres about once a month with or City Manager Robert “BoB” Sokol.t was funny he would only stay about 15 minutes at each theatre and be gone.
Sorry that sould be, with our City Manager, not with or City Manager.Also when I was the Manager at the Loews Melrose I was in the lobby of the theatre one afternoon when I heard the pay phone ringing so I picked up the phone and it was Rein Rabakuk calling from Dallas to tell me to fire my Asst. Manager. I thought this was strange as the theatre was not open in the afternoon then,and how did he know I was even there.Anyway when my Asst.came in that night and saw me there in my suit that night,I was off most Friday Nights but had to go to the bank and do the checks and send out the weekly reports, I would wear my street clothes, and he would run the theatre that night,he knew something was up,and I had to give him the bad news.Sorry I am of topic,now back to the State Theatre.
Does anyone know what theatre in Cleveland hosted the 1940 roadshow engagement of Disney’s “Fantasia”? thanks.
It was the Hanna Theatre. For a nine week run.