Barrymore Theatre

December 20th, 1967 opening ad as Cinema can be found at View link

Photo of the Organist and Console of the Kilgen Theater Pipe Organ Special, Opus 4420, 2/8, January 10, 1930. Anyone know the organist?

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The Barrymore Theatre is in the middle of a capital-raising campaign to finance a makeover of its interior this summer. The venue launched the public charity campaign last month to help pay for the renovations, which will encompass new flooring, a fresh coat of paint and new chairs in the 87-year-old theatre. The goal of the “Chair-ity Appeal” is to raise $200,000. Last week, house co-manager Ginny Jenkins said the public campaign had raised $10,000, enough to cover the replacement of about 50 chairs. Both Jenkins and the Barrymore’s other house manager Zach Richmond said the decision to renovate comes after years of hearing extensive community feedback particularly about the state of its 755 turquoise chairs, which are over 50 years old. “Some of the padding is definitely faded,” said Richmond. “Some of the integrity of the chairs, we’re constantly maintaining and fixing them.” Jenkins added “There’s been so much beer and who knows what else spilled on them.“ Jeff Kunkle, a bassist with a local bluegrass band, has performed in the theater for years as part of an annual United Way fundraiser. He said that the building is a gorgeous one. “You walk in, and it’s such a unique place … but it is feeling a little threadbare in places. It could use a facelift,” said Jeff Kunkle. The renovations are to some extent a move to stay competitive as a performance space, said Allen Arntsen, a board member of the Atwood Barrymore Corporation, the nonprofit that owns the theater. “People have (other) places where they’re going to put their shows,” Arntsen said. “We try to operate on a shoestring, but you’ve got to provide a good experience for your event-goers.” General manager Steve Sperling said “There’s a very strong feeling on the board about keeping the theater local and locally owned. We’re trying to do things that will further that.” The Barrymore is a beloved neighborhood institution that has served as an anchor of community development, those involved in the campaign say. “Talking to people who have lived in the area for a long time, this theater … it’s seen as a big turning point in the neighborhood,” said Richmond. The Barrymore will close down for a few months during the summer during the renovations. Summer performances are scheduled at the Barrymore through June 8. A show by Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues on Aug. 30 will be the grand reopening of the Barrymore, said Richmond.

Theater has been converted into a music venue fully… character from these early pics is still there at least. The area itself has been revitalized, and its probably the trendiest area of Madison at the moment

Yes, that’s correct– the Wisconsin film festival has shifted this as one of their main venues… they also occasionally do one off festivals and screenings (upcoming one i know of is Napoleon Dynamite, presented by the cast) but mainly does performance