Benedum Center for the Performing Arts
207 Seventh Street,
Pittsburgh,
PA
15222
207 Seventh Street,
Pittsburgh,
PA
15222
21 people
favorited this theater
The former Stanley Theater, opened in 1928 and designed by the firm of Hoffman & Henon, was restored and renovated as the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts in the late-1980’s.
In converting the theater into a full performing arts center, a new stagehouse and supporting building at the rear of the theater was erected. The interior of the theater was maintained and restored to its original beauty.
Contributed by
Cinema Treasures
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Recent comments (view all 47 comments)
The Michel Legrand concert of February 7, 1976, mentioned by KingBiscuits in a comment above, was a benefit event, and marked the reopening of the house following a $500,000 renovation by operator Cinemette. The company planned to use the Stanley both for first run films and for live events, and already had seven concerts scheduled through spring of that year.
Boxoffice of March 1 that year said that the project included new seating, new carpeting, interior repainting and exterior cleaning, rewiring, and new lounges, as well as backstage improvements including new dressing rooms, a refurbished elevator, and reactivation of the hydraulic system that lifted the orchestra pit to become part of the stage apron. The stage featured 500 yards of new red velvet curtains. The creation of new aisles in the auditorium had reduced the seating capacity from 3,704 to 3,491.
The article gave the original opening date of the Stanley Theatre as February 27, 1928. Among other bits of information about the theater’s history was the fact that Dick Powell had served as its master of ceremonies for three years, doing four shows a day, until J.P. Harris arranged a screen test for him with Warner Brothers in 1932 and he departed for fame in Hollywood.
Is this theatre or some other old theatre in the Pittsburgh area used to film the Doo Wop concerts?
Yes I’m watching the same show on PBS… :)
It’s a great theatre with $43 million going into the restoration!
Great list of movies that played at the Stanley posted by Ron3853.
Just saw the Decemberists here. Great concert!
To me it will always be The Stanley. I used to do the bargain matinees when I was a student at Point Park. I remember A Star Is Born with Barbra Streisand,and the huge billboard of her and Kris Kristofferson embracing high above the marquee.
I think I saw Goodbye Norma Jean with Misty Rowe as Marilyn here as well- I am not sure.
If I recall the theatre switched back and forth from film to live concerts. I saw An Evening with Diana Ross, great show,even though Miss Ross took a spill into the empty orchestra pit,(the band was onstage behind her). She wasnt hurt too badly, and after about 45 min returned to the stage and the show continued
Benny Goodman at the Stanley Theatre in 1937: riverwalkjazz
Tinseltoes: Love the vintage theatre photos! Thanks!
I heard when “The Exorcist” came out in 1973, Cinemette was orignally going to book it at The Stanley. The decision was later made to hold it at the Warner instead. Since the Warner auditorium could not hold as many people as The Stanley, waiting crowds would form outside and would draw attention from people passing by. The Stanley would have been able to accommodate the crowds better, but would have not created the “blockbuster” effect that The Warner did with this feature.