Warner Lady: Also how is the Warner Theatre book that was to be published coming along? Recently I ordered a book by Arcadia Publishing about the theatres of Cleveland OH in Playhouse Square.
Warner Lady: So nice to hear from you! Go to the Erie Playhouse link and you’ll see the b/w sketch of the former Strand and the exterior looked in the mid 60’s. It was posted on Jan 14, 2008 by “ken mc”.
“In the early 1920s, five opulent theatersâ€"the Allen, the Ohio, the State, the Palace, and the Hannaâ€"opened on a stretch of Euclid Avenue in Cleveland. They offered legitimate theater, vaudeville, name bands and entertainers, and films for the affluent and hardworking citizens of this booming industrial city. Unfortunately, the introduction of television and the flight to the suburbs in the 1950s and 1960s turned the theaters into ghost palaces destined for the wrecking ball. In 1970, a bold group of planners led by Raymond K. Shepardson formed the Playhouse Square Association, a nonprofit group dedicated to saving the theaters. A 25-year restoration endeavor emerged that raised $53 million, culminating in the largest theater restoration project in the world. Today Playhouse Square Center ranks second only to New York’s Lincoln Center as North America’s largest performing arts complex.”
Irv: Congratulations! I only wish I were going to be in WG then! I do have a friend who lives in the Winter Garden area in the winter months so I will certainly inform her of this upcoming and exciting Feb. 1 grand opening event! And if you have any photos you would still like to send to me the address is still
ken mc: I just visited the THSA site and under PA they only had the Warner Theatre listed for Erie so how was the b/w sketch of the former Strand found on THSA?
JohnMessick: Well, that’s one way of putting though they certainly messed it up to say the least! Why was the name Strand not left in place along with the beautiful doors and the glass enclosures for the movie posters? And to change the seating from 980 to 433 certainly made the seating capacity less by many seats. I was in that theatre about 15 years ago and can’t recall if there was a balcony. Does anyone have memories of what it the interior looked like back then? I think the Playhouse is strictly used for live performances and not a movie theatre anymore.
Warner Lady: I’ve been visiting the Erie Playhouse link today and have been comparing photos posted on Oct 2, 2005 to a b/w sketch posted today, Jan 14, 2008. Could you give me any background information on why th theatre name was changed from the Strand to the Erie Playhouse and why the overall exterior was changed so drastically from the mid 60’s?
Lost Memory: I’m familiar with this playhouse having seen Sleeping Beauty and A Few Good Men on stage, but after seeing the “ken mc” Jan 14, 2008 photo I realize what it used to look like in the mid 80’s compared to the photos posted on Oct 2, 2005!
WDG: Would also like to communicate with you about the Grand via email. I’ve been in touch with the present town historian and she would like to feature the former town theatre in a future column.
LOUB: Thanks for the update on this wonderful theatre! I just sent the website to a Dr. Bill Snyder, resident organist Tennessee Theatre Knoxville Tennessee!
I know “beggers can’t be choosers”, but if there is any way you could somehow find some vintage interior photos that would be wonderful, too! We’ve seen the decaying interior so it would be nice to see what it once looked like on the inside!
I just now noticed your above post with all of the depressing East St. Louis photos and your “link heaven” comment concerning the 1947 vintage photo so I guess we won’t see it afterall…still hoping to see one of that era though.
Lost Memory: And if you can somehow post the photos you added on Oct 13, 2005 that would be wonderful! I’ve tried a few times to view them, but no luck!
It sounds like this theatre is in a decaying part of St. Louis and its fate is probably written in stone now due to the declining area. However, I do hope to see some vintage photos here of this once great theatre in the near future!
Lost Memory: Your Oct 13, 2005 post features a vintage photo though I couldn’t bring it up and would like to see what this theatre once looked like and to think it was added to the NRHP in just ‘85 which isn’t that long ago. What happened to this theatre and the interior as those photos are very hard to view?
After visiting downtown Knoxville over the holiday season I noticed the “regal” Regal next to Tennessee Theatre.
Irv and Workers: Congratulations on a well done job and to a very successful and fun gala opening night! Curtain Up!
Warner Lady: Also how is the Warner Theatre book that was to be published coming along? Recently I ordered a book by Arcadia Publishing about the theatres of Cleveland OH in Playhouse Square.
View link
Warner Lady: So nice to hear from you! Go to the Erie Playhouse link and you’ll see the b/w sketch of the former Strand and the exterior looked in the mid 60’s. It was posted on Jan 14, 2008 by “ken mc”.
Book Description:
“In the early 1920s, five opulent theatersâ€"the Allen, the Ohio, the State, the Palace, and the Hannaâ€"opened on a stretch of Euclid Avenue in Cleveland. They offered legitimate theater, vaudeville, name bands and entertainers, and films for the affluent and hardworking citizens of this booming industrial city. Unfortunately, the introduction of television and the flight to the suburbs in the 1950s and 1960s turned the theaters into ghost palaces destined for the wrecking ball. In 1970, a bold group of planners led by Raymond K. Shepardson formed the Playhouse Square Association, a nonprofit group dedicated to saving the theaters. A 25-year restoration endeavor emerged that raised $53 million, culminating in the largest theater restoration project in the world. Today Playhouse Square Center ranks second only to New York’s Lincoln Center as North America’s largest performing arts complex.”
dave-bronx: I have ordered the Patricia Mote book and can’t wait to receive it in the mail!
Lost Memory: Thanks for helping the “lost” find their way again! You are a theatre gem!
Irv: Congratulations! I only wish I were going to be in WG then! I do have a friend who lives in the Winter Garden area in the winter months so I will certainly inform her of this upcoming and exciting Feb. 1 grand opening event! And if you have any photos you would still like to send to me the address is still
ken mc: I just visited the THSA site and under PA they only had the Warner Theatre listed for Erie so how was the b/w sketch of the former Strand found on THSA?
JohnMessick: Well, that’s one way of putting though they certainly messed it up to say the least! Why was the name Strand not left in place along with the beautiful doors and the glass enclosures for the movie posters? And to change the seating from 980 to 433 certainly made the seating capacity less by many seats. I was in that theatre about 15 years ago and can’t recall if there was a balcony. Does anyone have memories of what it the interior looked like back then? I think the Playhouse is strictly used for live performances and not a movie theatre anymore.
Lost Memory: If you find any photos of this theatre when it was the Strand, please post!
Warner Lady: I’ve been visiting the Erie Playhouse link today and have been comparing photos posted on Oct 2, 2005 to a b/w sketch posted today, Jan 14, 2008. Could you give me any background information on why th theatre name was changed from the Strand to the Erie Playhouse and why the overall exterior was changed so drastically from the mid 60’s?
/theaters/2954/
Lost Memory: I’m familiar with this playhouse having seen Sleeping Beauty and A Few Good Men on stage, but after seeing the “ken mc” Jan 14, 2008 photo I realize what it used to look like in the mid 80’s compared to the photos posted on Oct 2, 2005!
WDG: Would also like to communicate with you about the Grand via email. I’ve been in touch with the present town historian and she would like to feature the former town theatre in a future column.
LOUB: Thanks for the update on this wonderful theatre! I just sent the website to a Dr. Bill Snyder, resident organist Tennessee Theatre Knoxville Tennessee!
“Regular St. Louis must appear to be Emerald City in comparison.” Interesting quote as I’m a Wizard of Oz fan!
I know “beggers can’t be choosers”, but if there is any way you could somehow find some vintage interior photos that would be wonderful, too! We’ve seen the decaying interior so it would be nice to see what it once looked like on the inside!
Thanks! I knew you’d come through for me….again! Happy New Year!
I just now noticed your above post with all of the depressing East St. Louis photos and your “link heaven” comment concerning the 1947 vintage photo so I guess we won’t see it afterall…still hoping to see one of that era though.
Lost Memory: And if you can somehow post the photos you added on Oct 13, 2005 that would be wonderful! I’ve tried a few times to view them, but no luck!
I guess the theatre’s heydays were from 1925 to 1949…24 years of glory. And I see that after the word, Owner it reads….Private. Who owns the building?
It sounds like this theatre is in a decaying part of St. Louis and its fate is probably written in stone now due to the declining area. However, I do hope to see some vintage photos here of this once great theatre in the near future!
Lost Memory: Your Oct 13, 2005 post features a vintage photo though I couldn’t bring it up and would like to see what this theatre once looked like and to think it was added to the NRHP in just ‘85 which isn’t that long ago. What happened to this theatre and the interior as those photos are very hard to view?
Lee: A real shame to lose (or soon lose) a theatre with the WARNER name!
Will Dunkin: Sorry I missed you while in Knoxville. Sure enjoyed the theatre tour by Dr. Snyder…such a nice man!