Astor Theatre

730-42 Penn Street,
Reading, PA 19602

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Announcing the New Astor Theatre in Reading PA

Viewing: Photo | Street View

The Astor Theatre opened in 1928, designed by William H. Lee, and seating 2,478. The Art Deco style theater, located on Pennsylvania Street, operated until 1975. Unfortunately, the Astor Theatre was razed in 1998 to clear the way for the Sovereign Center arena. Some architectural details were salvaged from the Astor Theatre and recycled in the Sovereign Center.

Contributed by Bryan

Recent comments (view all 34 comments)

Steerforth
Steerforth on September 15, 2010 at 5:51 pm

I managed to narrow the time-frame down. Red Skelton was in Reading in early 1978 to support the restortion.

It’s a shame, because it was a beautiful theatre in its day.

Many years later (2008) – and purely by chance – I met Red’s widow in Riverside, California, where he had lived.

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on September 15, 2010 at 6:39 pm

Thats a great story Steerforth, Red Skelton was one of my favorites.Welcome to Cinema Treaures.

Steerforth
Steerforth on September 15, 2010 at 6:51 pm

Thanks. I always remember the magnificent Radio City Music Hall back in the 1950s and early ‘60s. What a glorious theatre.

I was a youngster, and I was mortified that my parents would pack sandwiches and would eat them in the lobby when we visited NYC and the Music Hall.

I recall folks could smoke while watching the film, too. I guess that was true in many if not most theatres.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on January 3, 2011 at 4:51 am

The street name in the header needs to be changed from Pennsylvania Street to Penn Street.

JimmiB
JimmiB on January 3, 2011 at 11:58 pm

Here’s a picture I just came across in my files. The Astor in it’s glory.
After it was taken over by William Goldman it recieved the rounded marquee.
View link

jtylka
jtylka on January 4, 2011 at 6:00 pm

Hi JimmiB since you worked at the Astor I am looking for someone to verify something in a photo that I have. If you can contact me through email or call me 484 769 8766 I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks Jim

jtylka
jtylka on August 27, 2011 at 4:00 pm

two glass doors from the Astor are for sale on Reading craigslist

masterJemstar
masterJemstar on September 6, 2011 at 3:12 pm

Hey I was hoping you could tell me what Year the Greatful Dead played the the Astor I think 1968 and how could I find any photo’s of the Band….not sure if the played as The Warlock’s or the Greatful Dead any info would be nice..would love to know the setlist and how many shows Jerry or the band played. Reading PA

Steerforth
Steerforth on September 6, 2011 at 5:48 pm

Maybe September 20, 1976, but the information is scant.

http://tinyurl.com/3p2caup

Steerforth
Steerforth on September 6, 2011 at 5:53 pm

Don’t think so. This has all their shows as far as I know.

http://www.dead.net/shows/

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