Local Small Theatres

[Foofoogal]

Traveling this weekend I came across a playhouse in a small town.
Made me realize I have never mentioned about the local theatre that has been refurbished for all sort of events but especially plays and music.
Here is the one in Conroe Texas.
http://www.crightontheatre.org/
http://www.crightontheatre.org/History.htm
The site needs better pictures. The downtown is where it is at and it is experiencing a renewal. A short hop from Houston will give you a nice place to go for entertainment.
Anyone else know of some local historical theatres in your area?
http://www.lakeconroecvb.org/
The area is growing by leaps and bounds. The small town atmosphere may be gone soon so you may want to visit before that happens. lol

 

[Micawber]

The Theatre Royal is my local and it too has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment / restoration.

The building dates from 1819, is Grade 1 listed and they believe is the sole surviving Regency playhouse in England.


We both really enjoy this venue as do our children, taking them to the Pantomime here at Christmas has become one of our family traditions. Productions here are invariably of a high quality, the building is not large and has wonderfully intimate feel about it.

A couple of photos (from my phone so the quality is not great) taken during the re-opening event last year. The stage now has the ability to cover the orchestra pit so it is not visible here.

Prior to closing for the restoration they held an auction and my wife and I bought one or two things.

 

[Foofoogal]

That is just gorgeous. The Conroe one is also beautiful inside. Cannot believe I cannot find better photos online. Maybe I will contact them.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Well, of course, I can never resist an opportunity to plug my workplace, the Strand in Rockland, Maine. Here's some recent pics --

Hosting the Oscar party with a fellow member of the local film society.

Nosferatu welcomes you to our annual Halloween event.

View from the balcony, waiting for the show to begin.

We also do a wide variety of live events along with films, including the HD simulcasts of the Metropolitan Opera (a HUGE success!), concerts by top-ranking blues, jazz, and classical artists, and lectures and seminars on topics of local, national, and global interest. Always something doing!

 

[Miss 1929]

Lizzie Maine

in a PURPLE dress! Love it!

 

[nobodyspecial]

The Heights Theater is my favorite. http://www.heightstheater.com/

Planet of the Apes is coming soon as is 2001 Space Odyssey; I can't wait!

 

[Tomasso]

The Colony (1934) on Lincoln Road in South Miami Beach

 

[Foofoogal]

:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

Oh, I love to see these. Keep it up. I still remember wrapping up in the red velvet curtains of the movie theatre I lived in as a child. We could stay and watch all day over and over. Can you believe? We would be almost blinded coming out into the sun. Chik o Stics. Yummy.
----------------
Edna Theatre
Edna, TX
Business 59, Edna, TX 77957 United States(map)
Status: Closed
Screens: Single Screen
Style: Unknown
Function: Unknown
Seats: 333
Chain: Unknown
Architect: Unknown
Firm: Unknown

The Edna is an imposing structure located in downtown Edna, Texas. The large outdoor neon sign soars to the sky, and its spire can be seen from Highway 59. The exterior sidewalk is terrazzo and old mirrors adorn the doors. The ticket booth is decorated with porcelain tiles in various colors. The lobby has a wide staircase leading to a second floor balcony. The Edna may have once been a part of Frels Theaters, a movie chain that operated in and around Victoria, Texas.
Contributed by Bob Machann
------------------------------

I took this photo recently when we went thru. So sad it is empty. It was beautiful. Saw I think every Elvis movie there.

Found this info above on this very cool site.
http://cinematreasures.org/

 

[jayem]

http://www.classiccinemas.com

We go to the York and the Lake constantly.

York Theatre History
Lake Theatre History

I remember from my childhood, the York theatre used to have an organist play between shows during matinee hours. It was the best.

 

[Tomasso]

Local but not so small.

fftopic: The Century was one of my local neighborhood theaters growing up. It was one of Chicago's few movie palaces located outside of the Loop. It was so massive that in my time (60's) they rarely opened the balcony. It's now a vertical mall AND a cineplex.

 

[zaika]

I grew up in Bend, OR (shame on the city for what it's become... ), and it was ALWAYS such a treat to be able to go see a movie in the Tower Theater.

They were going to tear it down, but the entire town got together to raise money to renovate it and keep it going and alive. Now they use it for concerts and the like. That's the sanest thing that's ever happened in that town.

I remember that the last movie I saw there was "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" with my dad. lol

In Portland there are so many old theatres, that it's easy to take them for granted. I live very close to the Clinton Street Theater that boasts the longest running showing of "Rocky Horror Picture Show" I think in the US??

It's not very cute or shiney...but it's ours!

 

[jayem]

fftopic: The Century was one of my local neighborhood theaters growing up. It was one of Chicago's few movie palaces located outside of the Loop. It was so massive that in my time (60's) they rarely opened the balcony. It's now a vertical mall AND a cineplex.

I love Century Mall. They always play the best movies there!

 

[Foofoogal]

Wow, I would love to see a suppressed vicious war cartoon.
How could it be more vicious than roadrunner? Beep, beep..........lol

 

[dhermann1]

The Crighton

FooFoo: The thing that's wonderful about your Crighton Theater is the fly space. This means you can do live theater the way it's meant to be done, with scenery flats that can be raised and lowered. Whenever I see an old theater, the first thing I do is look at the back of the building. If the back has a structure about twice as high as the rest of the building that means there's fly space. In New York, aside from Broadway (which is mostly crap) the best theater, the Off and Off Off Broadway plays, are all done in church basements, garages, and other miscellaneous odd caves and caverns. The luxury of doing theater in a real theater is somethiing many New York actors can only dream about. It's just great that there's a resident group there, and that they have an active season. You are so lucky!!!
As grand as many of those old movie palaces are, many, probably most, are built with a wall right behind the screen, limiting their usability for anything other than film.

 

[Foofoogal]

I will have to send your comment to them. Conroe is very proud of the theatre and the whole downtown is in revitalization. Thanks.