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Theaters
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November 9, 2010
Champaign Orpheum Theatre enters Pepsi Refresh Project
CHAMPAIGN, IL — The Orpheum Theatre is in the running to be chosen as part of the Pepsi Refresh Project.
The Orpheum Theatre opened in 1914 as part of vaudeville’s legendary Orpheum Circuit, staging performances by the likes of Will Rogers and Harry Houdini. Its interior featured a breathtaking model of the Versailles Opera House. But by 1989 the theater had been abandoned, forgotten until it was purchased as a site for a parking deck. Then the community began a preservation effort.
Read more at Pepsi Refresh.
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November 8, 2010
Fire erupts at historic Majestic Theatre
CHILLICOTHE, OH — A curtain caught fire but things seem ok so far after the incident at the Majestic Theatre.
Crisler says Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband Jason Clark and daughter Amber Nelon Thompson credited members of the group Beyond the Ashes for helping them to escape. He says the three members of The Nelons, three singers from Beyond the Ashes and a member of their management team were treated at a hospital for smoke inhalation and released.
The Majestic Theater has hosted many legendary entertainers, including Laurel and Hardy, Milton Berle and Sophie Tucker.
Read the full story in the Chillicothe Gazette.
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November 4, 2010
Stock sale contemplated to save Columbia City Cinema in Seattle
SEATTLE, WA — Owner Paul Doyle has applied to the Department of Financial Institutions in a bid to issue nearly a half million shares of stock in the Columbia City Cinema. The independent cinema has been struggling financially of late, hit by the economic downturn and the need to make upgrades to comply with the city’s fire code that required the installation of sprinklers. If the stock sale is blocked, the theater may have to close.
The cinema, which opened upstairs in the building in 2004, has been facing the same economic challenges in recent years as its loyal patrons. “We have been playing catch-up and improvising from the beginning,” said owner Paul Doyle. “It’s been like the endgame in chess.”
Doyle said the troubles began in 2007, “when our downstairs tenant defaulted on the rent. When we got rid of him, we were paying double rent because we had a vacant downstairs.
The full story is in the Post-Intelligencer.
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November 3, 2010
‘Phantom of the Fox’ fights to remain in upstairs apartment
ATLANTA, GA — Some positive movement in the trial for Joe Patten to remain at the Fox Theatre, where he’s lived and led operations for 30 plus years.
The Fox Theatre released a statement saying the parties had agreed to keep Patten’s original lease in place “for the time being.”
“It has and it continues to be the intent of Atlanta Landmarks to allow Mr. Patten to live in the apartment as long as he is able,” the Fox said in a statement. “We hope that today’s proceedings will lead to a mutually beneficial resolution, which has always been our desire.”
Read more in the Washington Post.
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Hickman, NB contemplates new drive-in
HICKMAN, NB — This growing suburb of Lincoln is considering building a drive-in theater as part of the first phase of a new recreational complex. The new theater would include space for 350 cars and feature an inflatable screen and wireless sound. Both the mayor and the city council are backing the proposal.
During the past decade, new housing subdivisions have sprung up near the little town. Its population has grown from under 1,000 in 2000 to nearly 1,850 city utility customers in 2010, Baker said.
As a result, the city government is facing demands for increased services for residents, including new recreational opportunities, he said.
There is more at Omaha.com.
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Rival project’s withdrawal from city funds competiton may boost efforts to save the State Theater
WOODLAND, CA — A rival developer’s decision to build a proposed twelve-screen multiplex in Woodland, CA without the use of a loan from the city’s redevelopment agency may help citizen efforts to preserve the now-closed State Theater. The Friends of the State favor an alternative project that would include a multiplex that would include the now-closed State. Without competion for the redevelopment funds, the chances of the proposal’s success may have improved, but there is concern that the area may not be able to support two multiplexes.
The city should have plans for the theater by the end of the week, Corkill said. The finished product could include digital projectors, solar lights on the roof and “motion seating.”
“The theater really will be the nicest theater in the Woodland-Davis metro area,” he said.
The full story is in the Daily Democrat.
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November 2, 2010
Campus Theatre in Ripon celebrates 75 years
RIPON, WI — It was in 1935 that Ben Marcus opened the Campus Theatre and the company he founded still operates this single screen house as well as hundreds of other screens in seven states. The anniversary was marked by the installation of a new marquee, a replica of the original.
The theater has been “a very important feature for our historic downtown,” said Price, executive director of the Ripon Chamber of Commerce.
After almost eight decades — and surprisingly few changes — it’s still an asset for attracting tourists, shoppers and diners.
The story can be read here.
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November 1, 2010
First peformance at the Lebowsky Center after the fire held at the Mayor’s Gala
OWOSSO, MI — The Mayor’s Gala Friday night at the Lebowsky Center to celebrate the enclosing of the fire gutted theater with new walls and roofs was well attended as attendees saw the progress of rebuilding. The theater was gutted by fire on February 13, 2007 and has been exposed to the weather until now. The lobby suffered extensive damage from the elements, but I found one section of mural under the balcony which survived both the fire and the weather. Chairs were brought over from the Owosso Community Players' adjacent Studio Theatre. The evening saw the debut of the OCP’s latest fundraiser to help pay for the theater’s restoration: “Take A Seat.” Plans call for the restored theater to have a larger lobby which means seating capacity would be reduced. They plan on installing 550 seats. The new fundraiser is for a donation of $1,000 to adopt a seat. Adopted seats would have a copper plate on the seat with the name of the donor or who the seat is dedicated to. After the speeches on stage, the first performance was held since the fire by the University of Michigan’s a capella vocal group The Friars.
Details from WLNS as well as postings from the Lebowsky’s Facebook Page.
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October 29, 2010
By-Jo Theatre updates
GERMANTOWN, OH — The By-Jo Theatre recently got new seats (with cupholders!), a newly refinished floor, and a fresh coat of paint in the lobby and theatre.
We’ve heard many positive comments over the last 2 weeks and look forward to seeing old friends and invite new friends to visit.As always, tickets are $4 for any movie. We’re open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Please visit our website for movies and times.Thank you.
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October 27, 2010
New theaters slated for Wasilla, AK and Matamoras, PA
ANCHORAGE, AK — The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority has approved the issuance of $11.5 million in tax-exempt bonds that will provide the financing to enable Coming Attractions Theatres of Ashland, OR to build a twelve-screen multiplex in Wasilla. The announcement is here.
In Pike County, PA, Majestic Star Entertainment of Teaneck, NJ will soon begin work to convert a former Grand Union supermarket in Matamoras into a seven-screen multiplex. The new theater is expected to open in May of 2011. The story can be read in the Pocono Record.