Kings Theatre

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOROTHY!! I have seen pictures of you in BOXOFFICE magazine and I saw you in the movie that was made about the Loew’s Kings Theater in 1979. Loew’s was lucky to have a person of your calibre as one of their Managers!! AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BIRTHDAY!!!

It is my great pleasure to pass the word that Dorothy Panzica (nee Solomon) is about to turn 100 years old! She was the manager of the Kings when it closed and for some time before that as well. She is also my great aunt. I have many great memories of the theater and the person I’ve always referred to as the “Queen of the Kings”.

I know that many others who visit here remember her and I’d like to invite anyone who would like to wish her a Happy Birthday to post a comment here or send an email to queenofthekings at stuartistry dot com. I’ll be sure to pass all the comments on to her.

Thanks.
-Stu

Put the word you wish to highlight,such as “Here” or another word directing the reader, in brackets [ ] and then right next to it (no spaces) put the link in parenthesis ( ) and when you post your comment the word in brackets should be blue and when clicked on it will lead to the link provided in the parenthesis.

It’s hard to remember which comes first, so I remember it alphabetically, that is, the Bracket comes before the Parenthesis (B before P, see?)

Here’s the direct link to the NY1 report, but it seems you must be a Time Warner subscriber to play the video. (And they spelled marquee as marquis and I don’t see a way to submit a correction!)

I had the opportunity to be inside the theater several months ago. The renovations are really going strong, but much to do. The grand staircase, as well as the side one brought back many memories. Although the candy counter is gone, some of the old red velvet curtains still hang. The theater itself is under major demolition and construction. It’s amazing!

It’s time to change the status of this theater to RENOVATING! WooHoo! For all the naysayers that said this would never happen and that it wasn’t happening, here is bonafide proof that it IS happening and there is a lot of work underway! The photo Gallery in the link below is very impressive indeed. Grand Opening of the Loew’s Kings will be towards the end on 2014! :–)

Looks like quite a bit has been done already.

Inside The Loews Kings Theater Restoration Project

Oh there’s a lot being done. You just have to walk around the outside of the building to see that. As of late July the back of the building looks completely different from the photo’s Ken Roe posted.

David – My aunt Dorothy remarried. Her name was Solomon at the time.

I thought her name was DOROTHY SOLOMON!! Dorothy Panzica must be her married name right?? I remember seeing her in a movie filmed years ago about LOEW’S KINGS!!

The good news is that it is slated to reopen as a performance venue next year, it’s been a long time since I’ve been on this site

In 1970 my high school graduation was held at the Loew’s King’s theater. I have vivid memories of that graduation. I played in the orchestra on the front part of the stage that could lower into a pit. The organ console also went up and down and the organ sounded wonderful.

The restoration of the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans is costing $52 Million.The area will benefit greatly with the theatre open.