Twilight Theatre

Sorry Chuck1231. I see you had already set the record straight and thanks for clarifying the reason for “the renovation.”

Here’s a color photo of the old Twilight Theatre on the City of Greensburg’s web site. This photo shows it from another angle. The cable channel Planet Green has posted this rendering of the proposed replacement for the Twilight Theatre. Plans call for 458 seats, and the building will be of neo-moderne design.

On a recent episode of Planet Green’s series about Greensburg, it was revealed that the local school district is planning to have a partnership with the operators of the theater so that when it is built it can be used for school functions during the week. The rebuilt school will not have an auditorium, and apparently the old Twilight Theatre only operated on weekends in any case. Kiowa County only had a population of a little over 3000 even before the tornado, so a full-time movie theater wouldn’t be economically viable there, especially as it will have to be located in costly new construction.

The Twilight is mentioned surprisingly often in Boxoffice Magazine, as the long-time operators Charles and Ben Spainhour frequently wrote pieces for the magazine’s “The Exhibitor Has His Say” feature. A thumbnail biography of Charles Spainhour appeared in the March 3, 1945, issue of Boxoffice, which revealed that he bought his first theater (for $375, fully equipped) in 1916. He bought the Twilight the next year. His first theater was also in Greensburg, but Boxoffice didn’t give its name.

One more odd thing… In Street View, if you are dead smack in the intersection that the above map puts you in, there are no street lights in any direction. Just one click in either direction, the street lights reappear.

The theater website shows “account suspended for non-payment”.

The destruction that you see in pictures was caused by a tornado that went through on May 4, 2007. I don’t think that was part of the intended renovations.

If a makeover includes bulldozing the theater, I would agree with them. What is going to be left?

The CBS TV Morning is broadcasting from Greensburg, Kansas all this week (April 28-May 2, 2008). They are showing all the reconstruction going on in town and how they are putting things back together again. So far no mention about the theater. Hope someone can get them to show the theater now or at least give everyone an update on what’s happening with it.

The Twilight Theatre is a wonderful historic Art Deco theatre that is loved and enjoyed by it’s community. It is soon to be undergoing renovations. Project plans include… New Heating and AC system, Renovate and expand restrooms, Renovate Theatre Seating, Retractable Screen to better utilize the stage for live performances, Improve Sound System, and Electrical system. See their website www.twilight-theatre.com to keep updated.

Another photo of the Twilight Theatre.
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