F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts

71 Public Square,
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701

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Mike (saps)
Mike (saps) on August 31, 2016 at 9:05 pm

Saw a show here last night – Celtic Thunder – and the house is big and lovely, subdued and tasteful in the Art Deco style. Well worth a visit if you’re in the area.

rivest266
rivest266 on July 12, 2014 at 8:05 pm

September 4th, 1949 reopening as Paramount also uploaded in the photo section.

rivest266
rivest266 on June 28, 2014 at 8:00 pm

August 15th 1938 grand opening ad in photo section

caranfin
caranfin on November 7, 2009 at 7:52 pm

Thanks for the photos of the Kirby to those who posted them! I stumbled onto this site and started looking at local PA theatres (Pittsburgh), just for a lark. Then i saw this place and remembered that this was where i first met my boyfriend on that wonderful night in October 2004. Thanks for the memory!

atmos
atmos on January 22, 2007 at 2:27 am

According to the THSA annual of the Deco theatres John Eberson there is a drawing in the Wilkes-Barre Historical Society Archives for a Paramount Theatre dated 1 May 1931.Eberson designed this building for Comerford.It is quite possible that this theatre is an altered version of his original design.

RJS
RJS on July 26, 2005 at 11:18 am

Here is a photo of the Paramount theater from early 1970’s before it became the F.M. Kirby center and had the marquee replaced.

atmos
atmos on January 6, 2005 at 4:29 am

The architect was Charles Ryan.Became Paramount theatre in 1949.Closed in 1977.Later restored and reopened in 1986.Originally opened as Comerford on 18 August 1938.