The Friends of the Historic Variety Theatre have a new website: www.varietytheatrecleveland.com You can find photos and information about the “Buy a Bulb” campaign to raise money to restore the marquee.
In an effort to retrieve photos from the theatre, we are offering $20 per picture to anyone who can bring photos of the theatre from 1949 or before. We will return original photos to you. We would very much appreciate any photos that include the original marquee (with vertical blade).
For more information, contact Gretchen Moore at 216-941-9262 x 12 or at
The Friends of the Historic Variety Theatre have a new website: www.varietytheatrecleveland.com You can find photos and information about the “Buy a Bulb” campaign to raise money to restore the marquee.
In an effort to retrieve photos from the theatre, we are offering $20 per picture to anyone who can bring photos of the theatre from 1949 or before. We will return original photos to you. We would very much appreciate any photos that include the original marquee (with vertical blade).
For more information, contact Gretchen Moore at 216-941-9262 x 12 or at
We are in the process of restoring the Variety Theatre. The marquee is scheduled to be repaired and re-lit late summer 2007. The theatre originally had 1900 seats but most of the original seats on the floor have been removed (balcony seats are intact). The Friends of the Historic Variety Theatre is a new 501 ©(3) organization dedicated to the renovation and successful operation of the Variety Theatre. Plans are to bring it back as a multi-use theatre with films (second run) and live performances (childrens theatre, dinner theatre, plays & musicals, and private parties/receptions). Estimated cost of the renovation is $5 million. From what I’ve heard, it was the Motorhead concert (2/12/84) that cracked the plaster. The theatre is currently vacant and the Friends have already started work to address the parking problems. We’re trying to collect stories and memorabilia from the days when the theatre was operational. Please feel free to contact Gretchen Moore at Westown CDC at 216-941-9262 x 12 or for more information or to share what you have/know.