As Chair of Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre & Queens VP of the Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance, I learned the news of the Ridgewood Theatre’s slated supermarket transformation earlier in the week, prior to the publishing of the Daily News article. The truth is that the owners knew of a potential investor and performing arts party that have been in touch with me, but the owners wanted to proceed with a quick sale, against the wishes of the immediate and widespread community. You may recall articles in 2008 and 2009, where co-owners Tony Montalbano and Mario Saggese vowed to maintain the theater’s architecture, regardless of its intended use. Tony Montalbano said “We wouldn’t do anything to hurt the community.” They seem to have given up, and walked away from the community.
We plan on calling a meeting with the new owner(s) and encouraging preservation of the interior, where a great percentage of early Adamesque features by Thomas Lamb remains, despite being multiplexed until recently. We have seen cases where stores preserved interiors of theaters. The owner(s) may be eligible for various grants and tax credits if they proceeded in historically-sensitive restoration and renovation plans.
Also, AprilY’s comment calls for a clarification. As Chair of Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre in conjunction with other organizational affiliations, I was first to submit a Request For Evaluation for and extensive research to the Landmarks Preservation Commission in March 2008, right afteer the theater’s closure, to preserve the theater’s architecture and culture conveyed for posterity. The Daily News wrote an article, on the basis of my organization press release. The Daily News never submitted written research or led the advocacy cause. There is a difference between a historic preservation campaign and journalism.
The Ridgewood Theatre is a great architectural example of the Adamesque style. It was one of Thomas Lamb’s earliest designs, and yet proved successful. In sum, it is rare. It does not have to be a very elaborate example to be deemed historic, although there are intricate features within. Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre is seeking investors. Let’s remain hopeful and do all we can before it is too late.
Talk about nothing? I founded Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre when the theater shuttered suddenly in March 2008, and I am spearheading the cause to preserve and creatively reuse this early and great work by Thomas W. Lamb, America’s foremost theater architect. The facade’s landmarking has been achieved after 2 years, and now we are doing all we can to help the owners either find a new party to sell it to, find tenants, or partners. Hopefully, performing arts with community spaces. Please forward this appeal to all your friends who may be able to help this noble cause. It takes a few minutes. Thank you!
Item 1: This is a major theater designed by Thomas Lamb, being that it is one of his earliest, where he experimented with a number of styles, and it proved successful.
Item 2: Very true
Item 3: I am aware that in April 2010, a tour was given of the theater’s auditorium, which was formerly multiplexed. One would think that in order to accommodate the multiplexing, the authentic and rare Adamesque features would have been destroyed, but many features remain to the public’s astonishment, although not in the best condition. I have seen photos in the Times NewsWeekly. Any restoration is a labor of love, and volunteers should be recruited, as in the case of Loews Jersey and the Beacon Theatre. Banks can serve as benefactors too. A treasure was unearthed, so we feel strongly that it shouldn’t be compromised now after awaiting rediscovery for decades. We have a greater chance of preservation if we urge parties to respect and restore the rare surviving auditorium. The last thing we want is a banal box.
TLSLOEWS, please visit the Facebook Group for Friends of he Ridgewood Theatre, which I created in 2008. Also, visit us on flickr, which links to it via Facebook. We won landmarking the facade as a start. It became a reality on Jan 12, 2010, after 2 years worth of advocacy, due to the Landmarks Preservation Commission’s routine for this case. The owners or future parties would need to file for State and National Register of Historic Places status to help acquire grants and tax credits for restoration and upgrades. NYS Council of The Arts (Queens Council) and the National Endowment of The Arts can provide funding for programming in many cases. Let’s have faith. Please feel free to ask questions. My e-mail is
Michael Perlman
Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre, Chair
Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance, Queens VP
Has everyone seen photos of the extent of architectural detail that was revealed after the multiplexing was removed in the auditorium? It was “unearthing a treasure,” and now we can ask “Was it done only to be destroyed?” Thankfully, one of the earliest Thomas Lamb theater interiors extant citywide exists, although not in the best of state. Nothing is impossible to restore with some dedication and a visionary mind. There are uses for just about everything too. Volunteers can be recruited and there are grants available for acquisition costs and restoration through various programs. banks can serve as benefactors. If you know of performing arts organizations and film operators, as well as related art and cultural groups, please do YOUR part by reaching out, and putting us in touch. May “word of mouth” pay off.
URGENT UPDATE!!!! PLEASE HELP IN ANY WAY YOU CAN! This entails the greater picture of our boroughs. Friends of the Ridgewood Theatre is seeking a historically-minded performing arts group &/or film operator ASAP, or the rare Adamesque interior by Thomas Lamb will be GONE FOREVER, & Queens and Brooklyn will be robbed of a true theater of great potential for emerging artists and NYC patrons. The outside is landmarked, but that is not enough. Please spread the word, and e-mail
Also join the Facebook Group for Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre, & encourage your friends to by clicking on “invite people to join.” Its future is up to US!
Michael Perlman,
Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre, Chair
Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance, Queens VP
A theater does not have to be the greatest theater in the world to be regarded as an official NYC landmark and a “cinema treasure.” Also, there are different ways of defining great. In our democratic society, the majority wins, and the Ridgewood Theatre is indeed a testament to vaudeville and film history, and was designed by one of the greatest theater architects that ever lived, Thomas W. Lamb. This is a case study, and with a creative vision, it could be granted a new lease on life to benefit the local and greater community.
Larry 2 sounds somewhat pessimistic, which makes one a defeatist. Let’s have some creativity and originality here, so it can fuel our efforts as preservationists and theater buffs.
That is a great idea! I will get in touch with the Committee To Save The Loews Kings, and will then consider reaching out to the Economic Development Corporation and any other appropriate parties.
Considering the style of the Daily News article, who can guarantee that the journalist has been inside the theater?
Thomas Lamb’s Adamesque architectural features were awaiting discovery, and the treasure was unveiled upon the removal of sheet rock and multi-plexing. Now, all of a sudden, it is in shambles. Ironic how it wasn’t that way in 2008 when the theater closed, for that sake. I smell a rat here.
Sounds cliche, but when there’s a will, there’s a way. Supporters of the Ridgewood Theatre’s preservation and reuse consists of a broad coalition, which I spearhead as Chair of Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre since the theater’s closure in 2008. We are still working with a few potential buyers and tenants. There are numerous historic theaters, where the multi-plexing has been removed, and the theaters were perhaps vacant for years, and then restored after substantial weathering. Staten Island’s Paramount Theatre is currently being restored, and they are doing a commendable job. Loew’s Paradise has been completely restored and was landmarked in 2006, and now reused for boxing, occasional performances, and a restaurant. Also consider the complete restoration and reuse of the Beekman Theatre in NYC as a performing arts center. A performing arts center could thrive in Ridgewood, considering the growing arts community locally and in Bushwick and Williamsburg. You mustn’t be a defeatist, but a proactive creative visionary.
Something is very unkosher in the Daily News interview. It is bizarre how usual preservationists such as Paul Kerzner and Ted Renz of Ridgewood, have even agreed that the theater auditorium is inn shambles. It was a fully operational theater in 2008, and since some multi-plexing was removed, to reveal plentiful early Thomas Lamb Adamesque features, so now it’s suddenly in shambles??? It was a treasure awaiting rediscovery after decades, and it would be a CRIME destroying it for any business that can open someplace else.
Check out these photos in the Times NewsWeekly from April 2010, and tell me what you think: View link
Perhaps the owners are placing it on the market again, in order to evaluate their options. When it was listed by Massey Knakal in 2008, it was believed to be at $14 million and then $11.75 million. Now it’s believed to be at $3.4 million. It has decreased, but I can see how even that asking price can be a strain in a tough economy. On the plus side, prospective buyers can acquire a landmark theater with great architectural and cultural history, superb location bordering 2 boroughs, proximity to art communities, great square footage, and eligibility for grants. It could launch several careers. A revitalized theater could improve property values. This could be the Radio City of Queens & Brooklyn, if it was restored and redeveloped creatively as a performing arts center with community spaces. Any bids? Feel free to circulate my take, and feel free to e-mail me at My inbox is always in business.
Thankfully, Lost Memory is not ill. No worries. I received an e-mail reply from him. He sent regards to his Cinema Treasures companions. However, he said he decided to retire from Cinema Treasures, and that maybe one day, he will come out of retirement and return.
I add my name to those who miss LostMemory’s postings on Cinema Treasures, and I hope he is in good health. Maybe someone has his phone number or e-mail? If you know his name, and would like to e-mail me in private at then please do.
Mikezz, AprilY and others:
As Chair of Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre & Queens VP of the Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance, I learned the news of the Ridgewood Theatre’s slated supermarket transformation earlier in the week, prior to the publishing of the Daily News article. The truth is that the owners knew of a potential investor and performing arts party that have been in touch with me, but the owners wanted to proceed with a quick sale, against the wishes of the immediate and widespread community. You may recall articles in 2008 and 2009, where co-owners Tony Montalbano and Mario Saggese vowed to maintain the theater’s architecture, regardless of its intended use. Tony Montalbano said “We wouldn’t do anything to hurt the community.” They seem to have given up, and walked away from the community.
We plan on calling a meeting with the new owner(s) and encouraging preservation of the interior, where a great percentage of early Adamesque features by Thomas Lamb remains, despite being multiplexed until recently. We have seen cases where stores preserved interiors of theaters. The owner(s) may be eligible for various grants and tax credits if they proceeded in historically-sensitive restoration and renovation plans.
Also, AprilY’s comment calls for a clarification. As Chair of Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre in conjunction with other organizational affiliations, I was first to submit a Request For Evaluation for and extensive research to the Landmarks Preservation Commission in March 2008, right afteer the theater’s closure, to preserve the theater’s architecture and culture conveyed for posterity. The Daily News wrote an article, on the basis of my organization press release. The Daily News never submitted written research or led the advocacy cause. There is a difference between a historic preservation campaign and journalism.
The Ridgewood Theatre is a great architectural example of the Adamesque style. It was one of Thomas Lamb’s earliest designs, and yet proved successful. In sum, it is rare. It does not have to be a very elaborate example to be deemed historic, although there are intricate features within. Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre is seeking investors. Let’s remain hopeful and do all we can before it is too late.
Talk about nothing? I founded Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre when the theater shuttered suddenly in March 2008, and I am spearheading the cause to preserve and creatively reuse this early and great work by Thomas W. Lamb, America’s foremost theater architect. The facade’s landmarking has been achieved after 2 years, and now we are doing all we can to help the owners either find a new party to sell it to, find tenants, or partners. Hopefully, performing arts with community spaces. Please forward this appeal to all your friends who may be able to help this noble cause. It takes a few minutes. Thank you!
John, here is my feedback:
Item 1: This is a major theater designed by Thomas Lamb, being that it is one of his earliest, where he experimented with a number of styles, and it proved successful.
Item 2: Very true
Item 3: I am aware that in April 2010, a tour was given of the theater’s auditorium, which was formerly multiplexed. One would think that in order to accommodate the multiplexing, the authentic and rare Adamesque features would have been destroyed, but many features remain to the public’s astonishment, although not in the best condition. I have seen photos in the Times NewsWeekly. Any restoration is a labor of love, and volunteers should be recruited, as in the case of Loews Jersey and the Beacon Theatre. Banks can serve as benefactors too. A treasure was unearthed, so we feel strongly that it shouldn’t be compromised now after awaiting rediscovery for decades. We have a greater chance of preservation if we urge parties to respect and restore the rare surviving auditorium. The last thing we want is a banal box.
TLSLOEWS, please visit the Facebook Group for Friends of he Ridgewood Theatre, which I created in 2008. Also, visit us on flickr, which links to it via Facebook. We won landmarking the facade as a start. It became a reality on Jan 12, 2010, after 2 years worth of advocacy, due to the Landmarks Preservation Commission’s routine for this case. The owners or future parties would need to file for State and National Register of Historic Places status to help acquire grants and tax credits for restoration and upgrades. NYS Council of The Arts (Queens Council) and the National Endowment of The Arts can provide funding for programming in many cases. Let’s have faith. Please feel free to ask questions. My e-mail is
Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre, Chair
Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance, Queens VP
Has everyone seen photos of the extent of architectural detail that was revealed after the multiplexing was removed in the auditorium? It was “unearthing a treasure,” and now we can ask “Was it done only to be destroyed?” Thankfully, one of the earliest Thomas Lamb theater interiors extant citywide exists, although not in the best of state. Nothing is impossible to restore with some dedication and a visionary mind. There are uses for just about everything too. Volunteers can be recruited and there are grants available for acquisition costs and restoration through various programs. banks can serve as benefactors. If you know of performing arts organizations and film operators, as well as related art and cultural groups, please do YOUR part by reaching out, and putting us in touch. May “word of mouth” pay off.
Thank you! If you are friendly with any nearby arts, culture, or film organizations, please feel free to forward the appeal to them.
URGENT UPDATE!!!! PLEASE HELP IN ANY WAY YOU CAN! This entails the greater picture of our boroughs. Friends of the Ridgewood Theatre is seeking a historically-minded performing arts group &/or film operator ASAP, or the rare Adamesque interior by Thomas Lamb will be GONE FOREVER, & Queens and Brooklyn will be robbed of a true theater of great potential for emerging artists and NYC patrons. The outside is landmarked, but that is not enough. Please spread the word, and e-mail
These are some photos:
View link
Also join the Facebook Group for Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre, & encourage your friends to by clicking on “invite people to join.” Its future is up to US!
Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre, Chair
Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance, Queens VP
Thank you for a very descriptive update. What you saw would be perplexing to just about anyone, except the owners.
A theater does not have to be the greatest theater in the world to be regarded as an official NYC landmark and a “cinema treasure.” Also, there are different ways of defining great. In our democratic society, the majority wins, and the Ridgewood Theatre is indeed a testament to vaudeville and film history, and was designed by one of the greatest theater architects that ever lived, Thomas W. Lamb. This is a case study, and with a creative vision, it could be granted a new lease on life to benefit the local and greater community.
I look forward to your assessment. Thank you, Peter!
Larry 2 sounds somewhat pessimistic, which makes one a defeatist. Let’s have some creativity and originality here, so it can fuel our efforts as preservationists and theater buffs.
P.S. Excuse the typo above.
This is the press September 14, 2010 press release from the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission:
View link
That is a great idea! I will get in touch with the Committee To Save The Loews Kings, and will then consider reaching out to the Economic Development Corporation and any other appropriate parties.
Mike: Read its landmark designation report, and try to acknowledge and understand the larger picture…
View link
Hope this helps!
Michael Perlman
Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre, Chair
Four Borough Preservation Alliance, Queens VP
Considering the style of the Daily News article, who can guarantee that the journalist has been inside the theater?
Thomas Lamb’s Adamesque architectural features were awaiting discovery, and the treasure was unveiled upon the removal of sheet rock and multi-plexing. Now, all of a sudden, it is in shambles. Ironic how it wasn’t that way in 2008 when the theater closed, for that sake. I smell a rat here.
Sounds cliche, but when there’s a will, there’s a way. Supporters of the Ridgewood Theatre’s preservation and reuse consists of a broad coalition, which I spearhead as Chair of Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre since the theater’s closure in 2008. We are still working with a few potential buyers and tenants. There are numerous historic theaters, where the multi-plexing has been removed, and the theaters were perhaps vacant for years, and then restored after substantial weathering. Staten Island’s Paramount Theatre is currently being restored, and they are doing a commendable job. Loew’s Paradise has been completely restored and was landmarked in 2006, and now reused for boxing, occasional performances, and a restaurant. Also consider the complete restoration and reuse of the Beekman Theatre in NYC as a performing arts center. A performing arts center could thrive in Ridgewood, considering the growing arts community locally and in Bushwick and Williamsburg. You mustn’t be a defeatist, but a proactive creative visionary.
Indeed!
Something is very unkosher in the Daily News interview. It is bizarre how usual preservationists such as Paul Kerzner and Ted Renz of Ridgewood, have even agreed that the theater auditorium is inn shambles. It was a fully operational theater in 2008, and since some multi-plexing was removed, to reveal plentiful early Thomas Lamb Adamesque features, so now it’s suddenly in shambles??? It was a treasure awaiting rediscovery after decades, and it would be a CRIME destroying it for any business that can open someplace else.
Check out these photos in the Times NewsWeekly from April 2010, and tell me what you think: View link
Can you please post a link to the article that makes this claim? Thanks!
Perhaps the owners are placing it on the market again, in order to evaluate their options. When it was listed by Massey Knakal in 2008, it was believed to be at $14 million and then $11.75 million. Now it’s believed to be at $3.4 million. It has decreased, but I can see how even that asking price can be a strain in a tough economy. On the plus side, prospective buyers can acquire a landmark theater with great architectural and cultural history, superb location bordering 2 boroughs, proximity to art communities, great square footage, and eligibility for grants. It could launch several careers. A revitalized theater could improve property values. This could be the Radio City of Queens & Brooklyn, if it was restored and redeveloped creatively as a performing arts center with community spaces. Any bids? Feel free to circulate my take, and feel free to e-mail me at My inbox is always in business.
Thankfully, Lost Memory is not ill. No worries. I received an e-mail reply from him. He sent regards to his Cinema Treasures companions. However, he said he decided to retire from Cinema Treasures, and that maybe one day, he will come out of retirement and return.
ok, thank you, Peter!
I add my name to those who miss LostMemory’s postings on Cinema Treasures, and I hope he is in good health. Maybe someone has his phone number or e-mail? If you know his name, and would like to e-mail me in private at then please do.