See you at the Paradise!

posted by CinemAFuchs on April 7, 2006 at 9:24 am

BRONX, NY — Tours of the Loew’s Paradise Theater will commence on Saturday, April 8th at 11 AM and at 1 PM. Additional tours this month are planned for April 15th and April 22nd, with a regular schedule following on Saturdays throughout the year. Admission is $6.00 for all, with a maximumn tour size of 30 people. Photography will not be a problem.

Those wishing to attend — And who wouldn’t?!!!! It’s magnificent. — should leave their names with the theatre at 1-800-353-8040. Please check the website www.theparadisetheater.com for future dates and updated information.

Orlando Lopes, New York Director of the Theatre Historical Society, has done an outstanding job. His support of the Paradise continues by coordinating volunteer efforts for events and by personally guiding these tours which will take about 50 minutes.

Please join me by leaving a note below expressing our gratitude to Orlando and the Paradise owner, management and team for making this possible.

Thank you.

Theaters in this post

Comments (19)

rsalters (Ron Salters)
rsalters (Ron Salters) on April 7, 2006 at 9:41 am

Bravo to the Paradise management for allowing these tours and bravo also to Orlando Lopes for his dedication and energy in conducting them.

rabbitlaz
rabbitlaz on April 7, 2006 at 4:39 pm

Tours are a fantastic idea! I recently saw a show there and it was wonderful. Keep up the great work!

atmos
atmos on April 8, 2006 at 3:16 am

Even though I live in Australia,a tour of the Paradise will be on the top of my list of things to do for my next visit to New York.Congratulations to all involved for organising the tours.

BruceIII
BruceIII on April 8, 2006 at 3:38 am

I had a self guided tour of the Paradise after most of the work had been done, but I also toured the house before any of the work was done. Therefore, I am in a good position to judge the extent of the work. The Loews Paradise was magnificently restored!

I also remember Orlando and his efforts toward saving Loew’s Jersey and the Loew’s Kings.
Bruce

Roger Katz
Roger Katz on April 8, 2006 at 6:43 am

I toured the Paradise during renovations about two years ago. i’d love to go back in now that it is completed!

GaryParks
GaryParks on April 8, 2006 at 1:54 pm

Resounding kudos to the Paradise restoration! Definitely a destination next time we’re in New York. My sincerest appreciation to fellow Theatre Historical Society member Orlando Lopes for his dedication. Just from the above photo, I can tell it’s a first class job. Now…to visit its website!

GaryParks
GaryParks on April 8, 2006 at 1:54 pm

Resounding kudos to the Paradise restoration! Definitely a destination next time we’re in New York. My sincerest appreciation to fellow Theatre Historical Society member Orlando Lopes for his dedication. Just from the above photo, I can tell it’s a first class job. Now…to visit its website!

dennis906
dennis906 on April 8, 2006 at 5:24 pm

I’m a fan of old theatres. On my next trip out to the east coast I’ll take a look at this magnificient theatre.

ArchStanton007
ArchStanton007 on April 10, 2006 at 11:56 am

Thank You so much to both Mr. Lopes and the Paradise owners for organizing these tours.

FYI: Feature film “We Own the Night” shot in the Pradise a few weeks back. Stars Jaquin Phoenix, Robert Duvall, Eva Mendes. Also filmed in the church nearby on Fordham @ University Avenue.

theatrefan
theatrefan on April 15, 2006 at 4:39 pm

I had the unique opportunity today to attend the 1:00 P.M. tour of the Loew’s Paradise today and let me tell you, words cannot express how astonishing this place is, you need to see it to believe it. I would encourage anyone who is the least bit curios about the Loew’s Paradise to try to attend these tours, they are quite remarkable! Mr. Lopes should be commended on his efforts for getting the tours of the Loew’s Paradise off the ground and running. Thank You Loew’s Paradise Management and Mr. Lopes for a splendid tour!

rabbitlaz
rabbitlaz on April 15, 2006 at 10:07 pm

I echo the previous sentiments. I attended the 11:00 tour this morning. Absolutely fantastic! The theatre never looked better. Kudos to Mr. Lopes and the Paradise for a job well done!

rabbitlaz
rabbitlaz on April 20, 2006 at 12:04 pm

There will be a tour this Saturday at 11:00 and again at 1:00. According to the theatre’s website, there will be no tours in May, but they do have dates listed for June. Orlando Lopes (the tour guide) informed us on the last tour that they will begin showing classic films this summer. They will begin with “West Side Story” on July 21st. There will be an afternoon matinee and an evening presentation as well. He said that depending on the response, films may become a regular thing.

PeterApruzzese
PeterApruzzese on April 21, 2006 at 9:17 am

Very interesting regarding the planned film showing. Did Orlando mention when the film projectors were being installed or are they just doing a temporary 35mm installation for the one day?

I just hope it’s not some DVD showing as we all know that would look pretty bad on the big screen.

rabbitlaz
rabbitlaz on May 13, 2006 at 8:48 pm

I don’t think he mentioned anything regarding projector installation, though I may have missed it. I would imagine it wouldn’t be a DVD though.

rabbitlaz
rabbitlaz on May 27, 2006 at 10:43 pm

I am pleased to report that the interior of this magnificent theatre has finally been designated a landmark by the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission. The exterior has been landmarked for about a decade, but until now it was a struggle to obtain the same status for the interior. Check out NYC/Gov website and go to Landmarks, then do a search for Loew’s Paradise to read the press release.

njmoviefan
njmoviefan on July 14, 2006 at 3:10 am

Still no word on the showing of West Side Story announced back in April at the tour? It was scheduled for July 21 and it would be great to know of it’s still on as I’d need to get there from South Jersey.

There’s nothing on the Paradise website about it.

rabbitlaz
rabbitlaz on July 14, 2006 at 11:43 am

There is nothing listed at the box office either regarding West Side Story. If I get a chance to drive by the theatre I will post any info that I obtain.

rabbitlaz
rabbitlaz on July 16, 2006 at 3:02 pm

I sent an e-mail tour Orlando, the tour guide. The following is his response regarding the movies…
The film series has been delayed until mid to late September. “West Side Story” is still the opening film and a “star appearance” and several “Jets” will be on hand. The theatre is being relamped by a Con Edison contractor and only up to now was 1/3 lit. They will be responsible for replacing the 2/3 bulb outages in the proscenium arch. The vestibule, foyers and grand lobby were done when I taped a BNET television special Thursday to air this October, and the new energysaving bulbs throw off a new glow to the building. Coves were only barely lit as were the chadeliers and wall fixtures. Orchestra blue backlighting is completely out as is the organ grills, the proscenium arch cove ( 1 bulb out of forty working ). The bridge and the center statue will also be lit as well as some overlooked places. I was glad to be there with the contractors who have done several other theatres.

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on November 5, 2009 at 6:18 pm

Another day in paradise, good to see all the Loews Wonder Theaters are still standing in one way or another.

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