New Theatre
210 W. Lexington Street,
Baltimore,
MD
21201
210 W. Lexington Street,
Baltimore,
MD
21201
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A $10,000 Moller pipe organ was in installed in 1917. The property is still vacant, and is in the hands of the mega corp Superblock LLC a public private business venture, being held hostage for unknown reasons.
December 17th, 1910 grand opening ad in the photo section.
It was 50 years ago today that “The Sound of Music” premiered at the New Theatre. With a reserved-seat run of 91 weeks, it’s almost certainly the long-run record holder for this venue. (Anyone know of something that ran longer?)
“The Sound of Music” also was, I believe, the first of two consecutive Julie Andrews movies to play this venue between 1965-67. That 26-month period would’ve been bliss or hell depending on whether or not local moviegoers were a fan of Julie!
Also, on a related note, I would like to mention my new 50th anniversary retrospective for “The Sound of Music” can be read here. It includes a film historian Q&A and a list of the film’s roadshow engagements. I hope fans of the movie and/or theater buffs enjoy the article.
The first James Bond film (“Dr. No”) opened at The New, sometime in the spring of 1963. While I was watching the film (it was a matinee showing) there was a problem, either with the projector or film, and the theater had to refund our money as it couldn’t be immediately fixed. I had to return, another day, to see the complete film.
I worked there as an usher during the Sound of Music run. I just loved it there. All kinds of nooks and crannies to explore. It was always so difficult for people to navigate up the balcony stairs in the poor lighting. I wish it had been preserved.
It’s gone.
The New, 1910-2010. May its memory live on.
I hope this works…I took some pics today of the New’s destruction, then resurrected my rarely-used MySpace page to create this album:
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There’s also one picture of the Howard in its current state.
Another corner – this one in the rear left – was opened this past week, as the several buildings to the west of the New were leveled. The original Lexington St. lobby is gone. Only things standing on that end of the block is the corner building and what’s left of the New’s auditorium.
From Clay St. you can see that the projection room holes were recessed into the ceiling. Was that ceiling lowered during one of the New’s several remodels?
DEMOLITION IS UNDERWAY at the New!! One corner of the building – to the left of where the screen was – has been removed; from the rear (Clay St.) you can see part of the balcony, the upper surround speakers, and the booth apertures. Sad sight to see, folks…
You all forgot the fire that extensively damaged the original Lexington St. lobby, circa 1967. That’s what caused the entrance to be moved to Park Ave., while the old lobby was sealed off and converted to retail.. The auditorium was given a bland, mostly white color scheme.
In the 1990s, the building was occupied by New York Fashions, which reconnected the the old lobby area to the former auditorium. Part of the upstairs concourse was still visible in the store.
in 65, i remember going to see the Sound of Music here- on the Lex ave side. we arrived very late, and i remember going up a substantial flight of steps to get to the seating area.
my cousin was an usher here and she was allowed to let us sit in the last row of the theatre and get free popcorn. this was during the roadshow days so we were able to see- as follows
Funny Girl
Hello Dolly
Sweet Charity
Gone with the Wind
War and Peace
Ben Hur
Ten Commandments
then, much later,
i remember seeing a double bill of
The Man with 2 Heads/Shaft’s big Score
Any historians out there who are attached to The New Theatre? I have a small handful of ticket stubs 1966, 1967 and 1970. They are yours for the asking.
Email me at
Stephen
Does anyone know if the New Theatre in Baltimore was ever used as a concert venue?
Michael, Thanks for the help! Sincerely, Tom McDade
“Does anyone know what date The Sound of Music opened at the New Theatre in Baltimore?”
Mar. 24, 1965
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Does anyone know what date The Sound of Music opened at the New Theatre in Baltimore?
The New was the “Sound of Music” theatre in downtown Baltimore. SOM remained for over a year in its original reserved seat format. The New may have continued for longer with SOM but it had to make room for “Hawaii” – also starring Julie Andrews.