Broadway Theatre
43 S. Broadway,
Pitman,
NJ
08071
43 S. Broadway,
Pitman,
NJ
08071
20 people
favorited this theater
Showing 51 - 75 of 86 comments
Hi everyone,
I am currently working on a documentary film about the re-opening of the Broadway Theater. If anyone has any artifacts from the theater or stories you’d like to share, I would really like to hear from you.
Thanks,
Jason –
The Broadway Theatre will be re-opening in Sept. 2006. The theatre’s season productions will begin January 2007 with Gypsy. Movies and other special events begin as soon as the theatre opens.
Anyone have news on the re-opening? thanks!
Latest Theatre News
Listed as a Milgrim Theatre in the 1991 International Motion Picture Almanac.
New owner here: Peter Slack, described as a lifelong Pitman resident, bought the theater for $303,000 at a sheriff’s sale this month. Philadelphia Inquirer story (registration may be required):
View link
The end is worth posting here by itself:
Slack said he wanted to bring back matinees so that the current generation, including his two young children, can experience the fun he had as a lad.
He recalled one Broadway matinee many years ago when a boy of 10 threw a rubber football through the silver screen.
“I can still see it now,” Slack said.
The manager stopped the movie and refused to resume it until the culprit came forward. When no one did, the kids chanted: “We want our money back!” The show, absent a small chunk at the bottom of the screen, flickered back on.
The greatest way to ensure classic theaters such as these don’t encounter the wrecking ball is to make sure the movies they present are in alignment with what the community surrounding them is feeling in general and most would like to see. Too often recently the type of movies Hollywood has been turning out are not particularly attuned to what the current mood of the people happens to be, with rare few exceptions — such as James Cameron’s “Titanic” several years back, and Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11” released just last year. But at the same time it’s not only all up to Hollywood to determine what is best, but it’s also important that community theaters themselves establish a strong rapport with those in the community and base what they present on that rather than indifferently show whatever Hollywood sends their way. Just as filmmaking is an art form that requires getting a deeper understanding of what audiences want to see so as to be successful, so, too, is this true of running successful movie theaters.
I visited Pitman NJ last week (9-9-05) and noticied two signs on the building. One was the “Save the Broadway” and the other was a For sale sign. Does anyone have the latest scoop on the fate of the Broadway Theater
2004 article about the last owner:
View link
Pitman theater sale is cleared
Thursday, July 21, 2005
By Matthew Ralph
Gloucester Times
CAMDEN — U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Judith H. Wizmur signed an order Wednesday authorizing the sale of the Broadway Theatre in Pitman to a Camden County talent agent for $450,000.
According to the order filed in the Camden court, Veronica Goodman-DeAngelis, owner of Veronica Goodman Agency in Runnemede, is “a good-faith purchaser” of the 79-year-old theater, which has been closed since March 29.
It was unclear Wednesday whether Goodman had secured the funding needed to make the purchase. Several phone calls to the talent agency were not returned. Realtors for the property, Cherry Hill-based Feinberg and McBurney, have declined comment.
Dan Munyon purchased the 1,060-seat theater in 1999 for $325,000, but in 2001 ran into financial difficulties he attributes to a downtown streetscape project that made it difficult for patrons to park and walk to the theater, and the economic downswing caused by 9-11. Munyon filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September 2003 to free himself from the threat of unpaid creditors' lawsuits.
Wizmur converted Munyon’s case to Chapter 7 liquidation in March and appointed Voorhees attorney Andrew Sklar as trustee of the theater. Sklar was given a 90-day reprieve from foreclosure proceedings in April to market the property. The deadline for the sale set by the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office is July 27.
Munyon owes The Bank $271,421.54 on his mortgage.
Phone calls to Sklar’s Voorhees office were not returned Wednesday.
Mayor Alice Polocz, a local business owner, said the theater closing has had an impact on nearby businesses.
“Just having the theater closed has been a loss,” Polocz said. “It was another reason to come into town. It was one more thing we had to offer and hopefully it will be again.”
Polocz recently issued a letter to the Gloucester County Economic Development Office expressing council’s interest in creating a redevelopment area that would include the theater. A redevelopment area, she said, would help ensure that the theater would not be converted into a non-theater use in the future.
Goodman also leases the Harwan Theater on the Black Horse Pike in Mount Ephraim, which remains closed despite original plans to reopen the theater in June 2004. A concert and film event known as “Ghoulstock” has been scheduled for the 500-seat theater on July 30.
Goodman plans to bring off-Broadway and other live theater productions to the Broadway stage, according to published reports.
The stage in the former vaudeville house would need to be expanded to accommodate full theater productions, according to Munyon, who always favored film to live theater.
“You really couldn’t do anything more than community theater in there now with the stage that’s there,” Munyon said. “I still think the best use is as a movie theater.”
Munyon, who recently took a job working security for Electric Factory Concerts, said he is optimistic the theater will again be operational. Though he no longer has an interest in ownership, he said he would still like to be involved in some way.
“As far as the theater not being a theater, I don’t worry about that,” said Munyon, who estimated that it will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to fully renovate the theater. “I do worry about someone doing the correct restoration on the building. It does deserve that. Only a solid nonprofit is going to be able to do that.”
Thanks Rick. Here is the entire text, since the links disappear after 14 days.
Bows for Broadway?
Friday, July 22, 2005
Gloucester Times
It is heartening to read that Pitman’s shuttered Broadway Theater has a clearer future, now that a bankruptcy judge has OK’d the sale to a new owner for $450,000.
Veronica Goodman-DeAngelis, a Runnemede talent agency owner, wants to bring live theater productions to the Broadway’s stage. Goodman-DeAngelis also leased the vacant Harwan Theater in Mount Ephraim in 2004, but it has yet to reopen,
Both theaters are long past their prime as first-run movie houses. The 79-year-old Broadway closed in March, and it would be a particular shame to see it lie fallow for so long that it falls into complete disrepair.
Goodman-DeAngelis has a plan to get the Broadway open again, and borough and county officials should be supportive. If the sale goes through, they should also be proactive.
We see the Broadway as an asset in search of a good business model. If live theater is not it, we hope that Pitman and Gloucester County will be prepared to offer some alternatives, and that Goodman-DeAngelis will be prepared to consider them.
There were news stories on Friday that the woman involved with the Harwan has been approved by the Bankruptcy Court to buy the Broadway. On courierpostonline.com and nj.com; will post links later if I get time.
I wish the woman who is looking into buying the Broadway will fix of the Harwan, also. I live in Mt. Ephraim and it’s so convenient to just walk across the street to catch a quick flick.
The latest news from the Pitman newspapers is that the woman who owns the HARWAN (Mt Ephraim, NJ) is buying the Broadway. Let’s see how it goes! If she does buy it, all of us who sent money to keep the Broadway open will have the money returned )in case anyone was wondering.)
The latest news from the Pitman newspapers is that the woman who owns the HARWAN (Mt Ephraim, NJ) is buying the Broadway. Let’s see how it goes! If she does buy it, all of us who sent money to keep the Broadway open will have the money returned )in case anyone was wondering.)
nice photo album:
http://www.robbender.com/gallery/broadway
I don’t know if anyone has heard the bad news, but the Broadway Theatre has been shut down by The Bank, formerly The Bank of Gloucester County, last Wednesday. The owner had been fighting through a Chapter 11 banckruptcy, but last Tuesday, the judge overturned the chapter 11 to a chapter 7 giving The Bank control of the building. The owner and his family are currently fighting this decision.
For any information regarding the Theatre closing please call Joan at The Snooty Fox 856-589-2214. If you would like to help to save the Broadway Theatre, please read the following information:
The Greater Pitman Chamber of Commerce has established a “Save the Theatre Fund” at the Gloucester County Federal Savings Bank.
All donations (checks only please) should be made out to “Save the Theatre Fund” and mailed to
The Greater Pitman Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 45
Pitman, NJ 08071
Please be sure to include your address and phone number on the check. If we are unable to raise the money needed to reopen the Theatre, your donation will be returned to you.
There is also a PAY-PAL option available at the Pitman Chamber website:
www.pitmanchamber.com
As always your thoughts and prayers are appreciated.
The Broadway Theatre will be showing “The General” starring Buster Keaton tomorrow, Sunday, January 30th at 3:00 PM. I will be there!
Today is the 125th anniversary of the birth of W.C. Fields!
Ted Wioncek, President
W.C. Fields Fan Club
www.webtrec.com/wcfields
Just to clarify and to avoid confusion, the Galaxy Theatre Corp. of Guttenberg, NJ, is not associated with this theatre.
It has been a long time since I
ve been to the Broadway Theater.The last movie I saw there was Kellys Heros with my Grandfather.I am living in Ky now so It is pretty hard to make it on time for the shows.I remember as a Kid riding my Bike to Pitman from Barnsboro,Having Lunch at Woolworths or one of the other Counter Diners,then going to Bobs Hobby Shop to buy the Latest Matchbox Car.I would read all the Car and Comic books at Pernells as well.Then I would ride to Betty Park to relax before the trip back.Fond memories.My Bike used to get a workout.I also remember Woolworths Counter had Ballons up on the wall and you could pick one to see if you could get a Banana Split for a penny.Thanks JoeExcuse me, but I go to that theatre almost every week, so how can you tell me that I don’t contribute? You can’t go by my back responses because I stated them before the Broadway provided a better atmosphere by teaming up with Galaxy theatre (i.e. phones are now connected; new releases seen earlier) The Theatre has made a drastic change in the last few months (which, by the way, was how long it has been since I posted my recall on the “GREASE” production). And since you’ve managed to read all the comments, you must have come to the conclusion that I’m not the only complainer. Everyone on this site it concerned about the theatre, and like you, WANT IT TO REMAIN OPEN. I’m truly sorry if you misunderstood my comments, but I don’t want to argue with you about me trying to “hinder” the progress of the Broadway— suggestions don’t hider production after all.
I’m writing in response to Happy-Go-Lucky’s complaints…this theater was built in 1926..it is still amazing that this opulent theater is still standing for us to enjoy a piece of history. It is still being renovated and updated (have you ever contributed finacially?) The heating system will be horrendous to update…if you get cold, take a blanket next time! As for the day Grease, a transformer had blown and in no way was the theater responsible…and listen to Annette (hey, I remember RHPS) audiences trashed the theaters…could u imagine water on the velvet seats? I think not…Personally I am thrilled to have PBT…Let’s try to help it, not hinder it!!!!
Even so. The Rocky Horror Picture show would rack up a lot of money for the financial struggling theatre.. ..
Well, you KNOW what RHPS does to a theater….those of you old enough (like me) to remember the seventies! Rice everywhere, water, candles, toilet paper, etc! (lol)
This Friday I’m seeing John Carpenter’s “The Crazies” with some of my other horror movie buff friends. They can spare time for munchkins and horror flicks, but they don’t want to mess the theatre up by showing “Rocky Horror”??