Palace Theatre
100 East Main Street,
Waterbury,
CT
6702
100 East Main Street,
Waterbury,
CT
6702
15 people
favorited this theater
Showing 51 - 75 of 95 comments
Strange. The simple marquee pictured on this page looks much better than that fast-food style thing on other cinema websites.
Oh yes, the marquee is plastic — a piece of tattered plastic that still reads “Entertaining New Possibilities 2004-2005”. They are well into their second season, and still missing one of the most important features of a theater of this type: a bright, flashing marquee that announces the shows, and draws the eye to the building itself — calls out to patrons. It seems that the Warner in Torrington got this right, and should offer some council to the inept Mr. Frank Tavera, who is running that place like it’s a community teen theater.
Is the marquee really plastic? I saw a photo, and it looked really cheesy
I think I read it being the flagship in the Cinema Treasures book?
Joe Mulhall, now known as Ken Griffin, was a teen-aged disk jockey on WWCO, WATR, and WBRY in Waterbury in the 1950s. He recalled the last days of vaudeville and live performances at the Loew’s Poli Palace in the early 1950s in his 2002 autobiography “A Great Face For Radioâ€:
“Downtown Waterbury had the Loew’s Poli Palace Theater which ran live stage shows on weekends following the movies. Eight Acts Daily: usually a musician, juggler, ventriloquist, comedian, singer, tap dancer, animal act, and magician. Sometimes even a band, like Horace Heidt and his Musical Knights. He actually had his own TV show, so I had to get his autograph at the stage entrance. After that it became an obsession.â€
It does have the best acoustics in the state from the soundmen i talk to who run the soundboards at shows. It was also the flagship Palace of the country and the largest in CT. I saw Huey Lewis and the News there last nite, my third show there this summer. It really grows on you. Even if you’ve seen every square inch and don’t think you need to look like a “tourist” when you go in, you still ogle like crazy.
According to a November 2004 article in the Waterbury Republican newspaper, when the Lowe’s Poli Theater, later the Palace Theater, opened Jan. 28, 1922, a song was written just for the occasion. Initially known as S.Z. Poli’s “Million-Dollar Theater” the Palace was the city’s largest with 3,419 seats. It now has 2,640. In its history it has hosted everything, from opera to Frank Zappa. Many believed the Palace had the best acoustics in the state.
Where can I find information on Sylvester Z. Poli’s life and history?
I’ve done some research on the net, but what I found was very little.
Thank you
Does anyone know any good stories about the Palace Theatre? Has there been any huge event there? Any stories about the Palace being haunted? I’m currently writing a screenplay that has the Palace as its setting, and I would like to know about any interesting story regarding the theatre.
Thank you
It was a pleasure to work on the renovation of the Palace. Stage Decoration & Supplies manufactured the decorative and stage curtains. I have included one of the photos on our website at www.stagedec.com and would welcome photos from others who would be willing to share them. Thank you.
Jaedenct,
Thanks for the info on the free tours! It’s been a long, long time since I’ve been there and since I’m out of town now, I’d love a tour. Hoping to see a show too, before long.
I saw Bill Cosby there on Sunday night and will be seeing the Doobies and Huey Lewis there later this summer. I had tears welling up in my eyes when i saw the ceiling. I had box/proscenium seats. when you walk in, above the door are strips of mirrors so it looks bigger. The lobby is beautiful as are the bathrooms. The stage is 5,000 sq ft and they have a rising pit for the orchestra. great sound. the ceiling is just amazing. Worth the trip even for the architecture.
The real address for the Palace Theater is 100 East Main Street, Waterbury CT 06702. As far as I understand it, the city of Waterbury now owns the Palace. I give many thanks to Mr. Temporale for seeing the potential for the old girl, and coaxing international acts to come and play (Frank Zappa, Yes, Bob Dylan, Tony Bennett, Pink Floyd, amongst SO many others). Let’s not also forget a more recent dedication to it’s salvation: John Rowland…although I’m sure many have allowed scandal to overshadow the good.
Anyhow, free tours are available on Thursdays, which have to be scheduled in advance by calling 203-755-8483 x 132. Tickets can be obtained at the box office 203-755-4700, following the prompts for ticket sales.
And does anyone know who owns the Palace Theatre?
The former Strand in Key West is listed under FLORIDA with photos if you dare to look.
edwardduff77: In need, you did see a theatre in Key West on Duval that is now a Walgreens. Such a shame in such an historically minded city! :–(
I hope that plans are made to have a brass plaque made in memory of this Mr. Temporale as he should be honored for saving the theatre when others wanted it torn down!
I am new to this site – very interested in the history of the Palace – thank you all for the info and links – went to the Palace for 2 shows so far – absolutely wonderful – we need to spread the word to all to keep it alive!
I too, remeber Domenic Temporale, who was our host when the Theatre Historical Society visited the Palace during our 1990 Conclave. He was very hospitable.
The newly-restored Palace is STUNNING! Wow!!
Sorry, but the other cinema website is www.cinematour.com
If you go to www.cinematours.com you can read additional information on the Palace Theatre in Waterbury CT and others. KenRoe told me about this site.
I too remember Mr. Temporale and I remember his efforts to make a civic center out of it. I believe it would have been a wonderful addition to the Waterbury community. His plans called for its being used by local schools, arts groups, such as music, theater and dance. In fact, I remember that the Waterbury Oratorio Society was considering starting an opera group to perform Operas locally. I didn’t realize Mr Temporale died this past year, although I moved away over ten years ago and have not stayed totally up on the news up north, since I now live in Florida. We have very few grand old theaters like up north, although there are a few. Too many of these fine old edifices have been torn down all over the country. When I visited Key West this past spring I saw a beautiful old theater being made into a drug store. Tsk, Tsk, Tsk.
I feel very sad that with all the accolades that people write about the Palace that no one mentions Domenic Temporale, who owned the theater for 30 years and attempted to refurbish several times after dashed promises from the state and the ungrateful attitude of the City of Waterbury. I remember a conversation I had with Domnic right after he bought the theater in 1971. He was offered $1 million the same year he bought it and the purchaser wouldtear it down and build something else. But he lovedthat theater and loved Waterbury. I also remember a conversation I had with him about the same time when people wanted to buy the chandeliers and destroy the theater by buying bits and pieces of it. But he refused to sell it in pieces and wanted to restore it. The performing arts center was his idea. He was a lifelong Waterbury resident who died earlier this year. And no one pays tribute to him or gives him credit for his contribution to saving the Palace. What a shame.
We are trying to learn the name of the contrators or builders of the Palace Theater in Waterbury, CT. We know that it was owned by S. Poli and the architect was Thomas Lam when it originally opened in 1922. However, does anyone know who the actual builders were???
I attended the November 12, 2004 Re-opening Gala. It is so wonderful to have the Palace opened again. The restoration is absolutely beautiful and Tony Bennett was great.