Roxy Theater
2004 Main Street,
Northampton,
PA
18067
2004 Main Street,
Northampton,
PA
18067
13 people
favorited this theater
Built in 1921, as the Lyric Theatre, the theatre was created by Northampton’s Harry Hartman (an owner of several area nickelodeons) to provide more seating and stage area for local vaudeville performances. It was designed by architect E. Biting.
Hit hard by the Depression, Hartman sold the theater in 1933 to Clark and Greenberg Theatres of Philadelphia. They closed the theater and completely renovated it in the popular Art Deco style. Prominent Philadelphia theater architect David Supowitz was hired to design the new look, which included reducing the seating capacity to 650. The theater reopened on August 31st, completely transformed, with a new name…the Roxy Theatre.
In the early-1960’s, after a decade of fierce competition with television, Clark and Greenberg gave up their lease to new management. By June 1, 1970 when the theater was acquired by Angstadt and Wolfe Theatres, it was only a shadow of its former glory. A&W began a slow and long drawn-out restoration of the theater that still continues to this day.
In 1988, A&W partner Richard C Wolfe acquired complete control and ownership of the theater. Wolfe renovated the lobby, restored the exterior to its original appearance, and added new seating and carpeting.
In addition to live entertainment, the theater continues to operate as Northampton’s only commercial movie theater.
Contributed by
Richard C. Wolfe
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Recent comments (view all 60 comments)
What a tremendous asset this must be to the city of Northampton. The video of the marquee in operation is truly stunning.
We have just completed restoration of our auditorium this past December, and have had it professionally photographed. We here at the Roxy are quite pleased with how the restoration has turned out.
Here are links to the photographs:
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This is really a wonderful theater, and all credit must go to Mr. Wolfe for his loving care of this gem of a house. Despite the loss of most of the region’s movie palaces, we’re fortunate here in s.e. PA to have a handful of survivors showing movies and/or stage shows and concerts. In addition to the Roxy (Northampton), there are the Boyd (Bethlehem, movies; many original details covered/altered but essentially intact), State (restored, Easton, mainly touring live stage acts), and Nineteenth St. (Allentown, film series, organ concerts, and stage shows by the local dramatic group, which owns the house). Also the Emmaus (neighborhood movie house). Symphony Hall, owned by the Allentown Symphony Association and home of the orchestra, as the former Lyric featured movies and touring burlesque; projection equipment removed in recent renovation/restoration.
An interesting photo of the Roxy Northampton when it was originally called The Lyric can be found here:
[url]http://cgi.ebay.com/MC-Call-Photo-Northampton-Borough-PA-Lyric-Theater-/250792224789?pt=Art_Photo_Images&hash=item3a6461a815[/url]
Also note that the Roxy’s marquee was feature in the opening title credit sequence of the 1992 “School Ties” which featured Brendon Frazier and Matt Damon. As the car drives by you can see the title “Rebel Without A Cause” listed on the marquee.
Here are some recent pictures of the Roxy lobbies taken on Sat. April 16th.
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Very cool! The Roxy is the best place to see movies in the Lehigh Valley, by far! Thank you, Rick Wolfe, for keeping the tradition alive!
Went to see Cars2 last night with 4-yr. old grandson and his parents. Reviews are right: movie stinks. Preceded by totally inappropriate (for the very young audience that Cars2 draws) preview of “Transformers,” which looks like another stinker. If only they still made good movies!
Theater looks terrific! Mr. Wolfe, in tuxedo, greets patrons as they enter. Young staff is dressed in black trousers, white s/s shirts, black bowties. This is class! Tickets are $3 (all ages); big bucket of popcorn also $3. This is the best movie bargain in the Lehigh Valley (or anywhere, AFAIK), and a real treat for those who missed the golden Age of the American cinema, or for those who, like me, remember it from our youth (see my favorite childhood theater at http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/8237 ). Thanks again, Richard Wolfe!
Interesting to note that the Roxy provided the great artwork for the great record “Matinee” by Weston, a Lehigh-valley punk band from the 90’s. It was actually how I discovered this place, originally.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufg2Swcjsr0&feature=related
A recent video of the Roxy Theatre in Northampton may be found here:
[url]http://www.lehighvalleystyle.com/archives/oh-the-drama-behind-the-scenes-photo-shoot[/url]
Anyone hear that the Roxy is hiring a new organist?