Ohmann Theatre
65 William Street,
Lyons,
NY
14489
65 William Street,
Lyons,
NY
14489
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This was the Ohmann in 1981.
Here are some recent photos of the Ohmann Theater. Click each photo to expand it.
A Kohl theater organ was installed in the Ohmann Theater in 1927.
This is a recent photo of the Ohmann Theater.
Ohmann Theatre update:
New projection system – Film and DVD capabilities
New Sound – Special suround -stereo- digital
New stage sound with a special mixing board –
New Lighting Special stage and Spot lighting
New seating in lower auditorium – original Irwin seats decorative panels-same look today as 1915.
Balcony seating to be refurbished original seats
The following link has some info and a few photos of the Ohmann Theater:
http://ohmanntheatre.com/
I visited this theatre in the 1970’s when they had a special showing of “Tillie’s Punctured Romance” with live organ accompaniment. I believe the organ was an electronic model with a console built to resemble that of a real theatre organ, and it sounded good! You would have sworn it was an actual pipe organ. I remember the theatre still had it’s original marquee, and the oak doors going to the auditorium had oval glass panels in them. I glad to hear it will be opening again. I’ll have to visit when I go home for the summer.
I hear the Ohmann Theatre is being remodeled by the origial family. I also hear that the Re-Grand opening will be in 2005.
Is ithe oldest theatre in Western N.Y.?
I first saw the Ohmann theatre about two years after it had been shuttered. The for sale sign was still affixed to the building so naturally I called. The agent (I believe the listing term probably had expired) put me directly in touch with Dave Reynolds — one of two owners. Dave and I talked for maybe 15 minutes at which time I had decided it would have been very difficult for me to turn the Ohmann into a successful operation. The first red flag was, why didn’t they keep the Ohmann operating along with the new five-plex they just built. The second red flag was, why didn’t they build the new complex in Lyons which (I not positive of this, but appearances would indicate it to be fact) has a larger population base than Newark. Finally, Lyons, like many originally manufacturing based towns, looked like it was having difficult times. Memory tells me the asking price for the Ohman in 1994 or 1995, was $37,000.
It was a lot of theatre for a small price. If, however, crowds are small, the last thing you want is a lot of theatre.
To me, the Lyons of today looks better than it did ten years ago so let’s hope the new Ohmann theatre is a success.