Comments from FaithBarlow

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FaithBarlow
FaithBarlow commented about Historical significance of Cape May's endangered Beach Theater on Dec 10, 2006 at 11:03 am

I was very sad to see your post. I lived in Cape May for a time and was recently back to visit. I was pleasantly surprised that the theater was still there and the many upgrades that the city has undergone. Here are my suggestions. Do you know who is behind this proposal? Ar they selling the theater? Who has requested the demolition permit? What is it they want to build in its place…Find out. find good sound arguments for why whatever they want to build in its place…should not be built. depending on what it is, you may have alot of other people against it. Gather everyone and anyone that you can who does not want the theater to be demolished. Make some noise. Have good sound reasons why this theater should not be torn down. There are a few that I can think of. Though Frank management has taken many of its historical details away, luckily not everything is gone…It is still historically significant and is in fact the only movie theater in the heart of Cape May. Considering how the Congress Hall has thrived since its renovation (with creativity and effort) the same could be done with this theater. I don’t think that Cape May wants another Christian Admiral situation (and it does not have to be). Try to get your community involved. Important officials the Mayor, the media, friends, family, strangers, council members, friends of the theater, the Cape May film Festival. The more people who rally for this theater (the better your chances). Call your local B&B owners, restaurant owners, live theaters. This theater could be renovated beautifully to a shining example of 1950’s Americana. The last thing that town needs is another ugly modern condo. They need to preserve what has made Cape May a beloved town throughout the years while improving the town. Improving is not tearing down the very buildings that make that city quaint and unique, but rather building up and preserving those dusty gems that exist. I wish you the best of luck, boy I wish I could be there. Hopefully the demolition permit will be denied or at the least delayed. If delayed, this bides you time to gather an army of signatures and people who do not want to see it go. Start a web site to save the beach theater. Lastly, maybe someone who worked on saving the Boyd Theater here in Philadelphia could help you out with ideas, that group did a great job. Good luck.

FaithBarlow
FaithBarlow commented about Boyd Theatre on Jul 13, 2002 at 2:39 pm

It is a crime that we in America have massacred our architectural history. Bravo to everyone fighting to save these treasures! To all of you theater people, or more specifically “Movie stars” or “star athletes”…Who are being paid millions of dollars per picture, per season…I dare you to for once do something constructive with your fat wallet. Help to save this theater, and others like it…and for all of you every day folks…You have a voice…Use it! Where there is a will there’s a way. Don’t give up!