The Studio 54 reference still holds. The developer specifically indicated to me that there would be cabaret seating on the main floor with theatre seating in the balcony. If that’s not Studio 54 what is?
The Meadows wasn’t “traditional”. As you were heading west there was a narrow strip that just said “Century’s Meadows”. Then you got to the massive part which had the signboard and the MEADOWS. I don’t recall what the portion was that faced the actualy Fresh Meadows complex.
There is a picture, and a sad sight it is, in the Newsday article. But that’s probably copyrighted material. Also, I wouldn’t even know how to go about linking it. But it’s still better than the aerial photo in the link a couple of comments back showing the hole in the roof after a 2007 fire.
Don’t even remember what the marquee on the Park East looked like. The Queens, Floral and Community were boxes. The Meadows was an irregular shape. Only the Bellerose had a wedge like the latter Park. Park, if we had true seating capacity and not the 800 above, was probably the smallest older Century. The Glen Oaks was probably the smallest, period.
The oversized marquee was bigger than those on more impressive Century properties. It was really too big for the building. Remember the pathetic one it replaced?
I was only here once for the Silver Screen classic after I moved east and Farmingdale was too much of a haul. The theatre was obviously outdated since it was obvious that they had just added onto the building from the original core. The auditorium was narrow and uninviting. The free goodies which come with a classic presentation were not up to the standards, or quantity, available at Farmingdale.
According to an article in the September 20, 2011 Newsday plans are moving forward to demolish the theatre and redevelop the site for housing and commercial use. An optomist target date of 2012 was set.
Speaking of the last show at Commack, that, according to comments on the site, it history after next week. Comments also indicate the Green Acres closed.
Short life for a theatre is not unusual when you figure all the advances made and the fact that nobody builds their own anymore. Brookhaven Multiplex had 18 years.
All that now remains of the Century Circuit are the Meadows (now Fresh Meadows), Roosevelt Field, Franklin Square (formerly Franklin), Lynbrook (which was a leased property), Fantasy and retention of the name Shore on the theatre replacing the one built by Century.
In some circles the original seats are a plus. The Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center reupolstered the seats originating from the time the theatre originally opened in the 1930s. The place is such a jewel box that anything else would be out of place.
In addition to the renovations mentioned in the opening the Broadway “suffered” a major modification when Candide played there. Basically it was converted to an arena with a large portion of the orchestra seating replaced by the stage.
The demolition of the Lynbrook is not a new idea. UA had planned on doing it but had a problem getting the tenants out. Apparently they are still there after all these years. Maybe that’s why they let the place go, ha, ha.
The Brookhaven Multiplex had blue lights. I don’t recall Commack being green. Neither are the norm. The only other theatre I remember with blue was the Salisbury.
I’m surprised the closing didn’t come sooner. First the new multiplex opened at Tanger Arches and then there was announcement that the lease wasn’t being renewed, that was nearly a year ago.
But my point is that two sides of the street can’t be odd numbered. The Suffolk and Riverhead have odd number addresses on CT. If a more reasonable address could be established we might have a better chance at a better Google image. I thought the Riverhead was closer to Roanoke Avenue. Then the location would be the open space next to the bank.
This address is problematic. The Riverhead theatre was on the opposite side of Main Street and across an intersection. The Google image is in the direction of the Suffolk theatre and is the same one appearing on the Suffolk site.
I don’t think they monitor the comments. You actually have to go to “about” in the heading and then “contact” on the next prompt. Then you choose whether it’s an update or site problem.
The Studio 54 reference still holds. The developer specifically indicated to me that there would be cabaret seating on the main floor with theatre seating in the balcony. If that’s not Studio 54 what is?
Miss the chicken croquettes at Howard Johnson’s. They were conical shape and had some sort of white sauce on them.
The Meadows wasn’t “traditional”. As you were heading west there was a narrow strip that just said “Century’s Meadows”. Then you got to the massive part which had the signboard and the MEADOWS. I don’t recall what the portion was that faced the actualy Fresh Meadows complex.
There is a picture, and a sad sight it is, in the Newsday article. But that’s probably copyrighted material. Also, I wouldn’t even know how to go about linking it. But it’s still better than the aerial photo in the link a couple of comments back showing the hole in the roof after a 2007 fire.
Don’t even remember what the marquee on the Park East looked like. The Queens, Floral and Community were boxes. The Meadows was an irregular shape. Only the Bellerose had a wedge like the latter Park. Park, if we had true seating capacity and not the 800 above, was probably the smallest older Century. The Glen Oaks was probably the smallest, period.
The oversized marquee was bigger than those on more impressive Century properties. It was really too big for the building. Remember the pathetic one it replaced?
I was only here once for the Silver Screen classic after I moved east and Farmingdale was too much of a haul. The theatre was obviously outdated since it was obvious that they had just added onto the building from the original core. The auditorium was narrow and uninviting. The free goodies which come with a classic presentation were not up to the standards, or quantity, available at Farmingdale.
Tonight parking lot was empty. Pylon was empty and dark. Facade of the theatre was lit like it was business as usual.
According to an article in the September 20, 2011 Newsday plans are moving forward to demolish the theatre and redevelop the site for housing and commercial use. An optomist target date of 2012 was set.
Where more than two auditoriums exist I won’t be there
A drive-by confirmed what I suspected from looking at the aerial shot; the theatres were at the left side of the shopping center.
A bit of trivia. 31st Street was also known as Grand Avenue, the El station still carries both names. Hence, Grand.
Speaking of the last show at Commack, that, according to comments on the site, it history after next week. Comments also indicate the Green Acres closed.
Short life for a theatre is not unusual when you figure all the advances made and the fact that nobody builds their own anymore. Brookhaven Multiplex had 18 years.
All that now remains of the Century Circuit are the Meadows (now Fresh Meadows), Roosevelt Field, Franklin Square (formerly Franklin), Lynbrook (which was a leased property), Fantasy and retention of the name Shore on the theatre replacing the one built by Century.
I’ve seen shortened names on ads but never before on a marquee, St. being excepted.
In some circles the original seats are a plus. The Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center reupolstered the seats originating from the time the theatre originally opened in the 1930s. The place is such a jewel box that anything else would be out of place.
In addition to the renovations mentioned in the opening the Broadway “suffered” a major modification when Candide played there. Basically it was converted to an arena with a large portion of the orchestra seating replaced by the stage.
The demolition of the Lynbrook is not a new idea. UA had planned on doing it but had a problem getting the tenants out. Apparently they are still there after all these years. Maybe that’s why they let the place go, ha, ha.
The Brookhaven Multiplex had blue lights. I don’t recall Commack being green. Neither are the norm. The only other theatre I remember with blue was the Salisbury.
I’m surprised the closing didn’t come sooner. First the new multiplex opened at Tanger Arches and then there was announcement that the lease wasn’t being renewed, that was nearly a year ago.
Same in Farmingdale. Signage just says Multiplex Cinemas.
But my point is that two sides of the street can’t be odd numbered. The Suffolk and Riverhead have odd number addresses on CT. If a more reasonable address could be established we might have a better chance at a better Google image. I thought the Riverhead was closer to Roanoke Avenue. Then the location would be the open space next to the bank.
This address is problematic. The Riverhead theatre was on the opposite side of Main Street and across an intersection. The Google image is in the direction of the Suffolk theatre and is the same one appearing on the Suffolk site.
I don’t think they monitor the comments. You actually have to go to “about” in the heading and then “contact” on the next prompt. Then you choose whether it’s an update or site problem.