It started as a live in-the-round theater in the 1970s (I don’t know when it officially opened). I saw shows there in 1982 & 1983. Then it was converted into a 3-screen cinema. In 2005, it was converted back into a theater but had, and still has, a proscenium. When it reopened in 2005 it was a subscription house like the Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace, Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, and Paramount Theatre in Aurora. The shows they produced (and that I saw) were: The Full Monty (2005); Morning’s at Seven (2005); and Grand Hotel (2005). After that there were sit-down runs of smaller Broadway show tours like: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (2006); Shout! (2008); and Xanadu (2009). Then the name was changed to the Broadway Playhouse and reopened with Traces (2010). There were changes made to the lobby and auditorium to go with the name change. I don’t remember if Broadway in Chicago took over the theater with the longer runs of Broadway tours (in 2006) but the name change and remodel were by Broadway in Chicago. Broadway in Chicago has programmed the theater ever since.
Yes, it is listed as a “previous name” but above it says, “In April 1984 Screens 5 to 7 were erected by Plitt Theatres on street level on E. Chestnut Street.” The building was converted from a live in-the-round theater to a three screen cinema.
I’m surprised no one mentioned that the Broadway Playhouse (on Chestnut Street) was originally (in the 1970s/early 1980s) the Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place. It was an in-the-round theater with seating on two levels. I saw a transfer of LITTLE ME (1982) from the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire and a musical about the Kennedy family called ONE SHINING MOMENT (1983 by Allan Jay Friedman and Leslie Bricusse). The cast of young adult performers included Kevin Anderson, Gene Weygandt, and Megan Mullally. It was shortly after this production that the building was converted into a three screen cinema. In 2005 the building was converted back into a live theater as mentioned above.
The building was still standing in 2016 when I visited (see my photo in the Photos tab). The Google street view from September 2023 shows a pile of rubbish where the building once stood.
I recently found this website for the Apollo Theater Peoria. It says, “COMING SPRING OF 2024… The Apollo Theater Sessions offers an intimate and unforgettable musical experience far from the mainstream scene. These are raw, stripped-down performances from real musicians, right here in Peoria; bringing you up-close and personal with our local hidden talent, as well as touring artists/musicians/bands, in hopes of bringing the theater back to life with live music, comedy, and many more events to come!” There are several really nice interior photos of the theater along with a brief history of the theater.
The Grandview Theater & Drafthouse website is https://www.grandviewtheater.com. The “About” tab on their website says they now “offer two movie screens”.
The “About” tab on the Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse website says they have two screening rooms. The Photo Gallery shows images of the new intimate screening room.
The Oriental has named each of their three auditoriums: the main auditorium is the Abele Cinema and the two smaller auditoriums are the Lubar and Herzfeld Cinemas.
This theater is now called Geneva Stage. Here’s some information taken from their website, “… return to the theater’s original roots, renamed Geneva Stage. Another round of renovations included converting the two side auditoriums to Geneva Tap House, and returning the second floor auditorium to a balcony. The original stage in the main auditorium was restored, including new sound, lighting and video equipment. A large retractable movie screen still allows the showing of movies. And, a fully-refurbished 1920s Wurlitzer is being installed for organ recitals and silent movies.”
The Globe Theatre’s website has not been updated in quite a while. There have been no social media posts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) in years either. Here is their last Facebook post from March 14, 2020:
“Globe Theatre closes doors to mitigate COVID- 19 spread
Effective immediately, the Globe Theatre will stop exhibiting movies until further notice. In order to protect our patrons and employees the Globe Theatre projectors will go dark. All movie show times will be cancelled beginning Monday, March 16, 2020. We are very sorry for this inconvenience. We are one of very few local entertainment options. The decision to close has been difficult but we feel that community and employee health concerns are more important. It is critical that we all do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19 virus.
Movie theatre seating and public areas do not meet the CDC guidelines for social and physical distancing. Other theatres remaining open are encouraging public gatherings which put all of us at risk for spreading this disease more rapidly. The Globe wants to do its part to “flatten the curve”.
The timing of reopening will be determined by future circumstances. Any private parties currently booked at the Globe will be contacted for rebooking. All questions should be directed to Dave Willey via email, , or by telephone at (618) 267-1643.”
This theater is open and now has six screens. Saw a movie here (on Screen #6) a couple weeks ago and was amazed at how great the building looks. Even the small auditoriums have large screens with great sound systems.
It started as a live in-the-round theater in the 1970s (I don’t know when it officially opened). I saw shows there in 1982 & 1983. Then it was converted into a 3-screen cinema. In 2005, it was converted back into a theater but had, and still has, a proscenium. When it reopened in 2005 it was a subscription house like the Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace, Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, and Paramount Theatre in Aurora. The shows they produced (and that I saw) were: The Full Monty (2005); Morning’s at Seven (2005); and Grand Hotel (2005). After that there were sit-down runs of smaller Broadway show tours like: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (2006); Shout! (2008); and Xanadu (2009). Then the name was changed to the Broadway Playhouse and reopened with Traces (2010). There were changes made to the lobby and auditorium to go with the name change. I don’t remember if Broadway in Chicago took over the theater with the longer runs of Broadway tours (in 2006) but the name change and remodel were by Broadway in Chicago. Broadway in Chicago has programmed the theater ever since.
Yes, it is listed as a “previous name” but above it says, “In April 1984 Screens 5 to 7 were erected by Plitt Theatres on street level on E. Chestnut Street.” The building was converted from a live in-the-round theater to a three screen cinema.
I’m surprised no one mentioned that the Broadway Playhouse (on Chestnut Street) was originally (in the 1970s/early 1980s) the Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place. It was an in-the-round theater with seating on two levels. I saw a transfer of LITTLE ME (1982) from the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire and a musical about the Kennedy family called ONE SHINING MOMENT (1983 by Allan Jay Friedman and Leslie Bricusse). The cast of young adult performers included Kevin Anderson, Gene Weygandt, and Megan Mullally. It was shortly after this production that the building was converted into a three screen cinema. In 2005 the building was converted back into a live theater as mentioned above.
The building was still standing in 2016 when I visited (see my photo in the Photos tab). The Google street view from September 2023 shows a pile of rubbish where the building once stood.
I recently found this website for the Apollo Theater Peoria. It says, “COMING SPRING OF 2024… The Apollo Theater Sessions offers an intimate and unforgettable musical experience far from the mainstream scene. These are raw, stripped-down performances from real musicians, right here in Peoria; bringing you up-close and personal with our local hidden talent, as well as touring artists/musicians/bands, in hopes of bringing the theater back to life with live music, comedy, and many more events to come!” There are several really nice interior photos of the theater along with a brief history of the theater.
The website link above does not work. Here is the correct URL https://www.springfieldstatetheater.com.
The Grandview Theater & Drafthouse website is https://www.grandviewtheater.com. The “About” tab on their website says they now “offer two movie screens”.
The “About” tab on the Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse website says they have two screening rooms. The Photo Gallery shows images of the new intimate screening room.
The Oriental has named each of their three auditoriums: the main auditorium is the Abele Cinema and the two smaller auditoriums are the Lubar and Herzfeld Cinemas.
The Annex Theater is now Stemm’s Cafe & Coffee Shoppe. Here are their Facebook and website links.
The Hi-Way 50 Drive-In is open for the 2023 season. Check out their Facebook page or their website for more information.
Here’s a February 22, 2023 article from The Southern Illinoisan about the Sesser Opera House: Phantom of the Small Town Opera | A Southern Illinois opera house is fighting to avoid extinction.
This theater is now called Geneva Stage. Here’s some information taken from their website, “… return to the theater’s original roots, renamed Geneva Stage. Another round of renovations included converting the two side auditoriums to Geneva Tap House, and returning the second floor auditorium to a balcony. The original stage in the main auditorium was restored, including new sound, lighting and video equipment. A large retractable movie screen still allows the showing of movies. And, a fully-refurbished 1920s Wurlitzer is being installed for organ recitals and silent movies.”
Here’s an article about the reopening of the Town (now Nostalgia) Theatre… Group revamps old Flora theater.
Here is the Nostalgia Theatre’s Facebook page.
Here’s a Fall 2021 article about the possible reopening of the Arcadia Cinema as an event space and concert venue… Local group looks to reopen historic theater
The Stadium Theatre has been a 3 screen cinema since around 2016.
The Globe Theatre’s website has not been updated in quite a while. There have been no social media posts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) in years either. Here is their last Facebook post from March 14, 2020:
“Globe Theatre closes doors to mitigate COVID- 19 spread Effective immediately, the Globe Theatre will stop exhibiting movies until further notice. In order to protect our patrons and employees the Globe Theatre projectors will go dark. All movie show times will be cancelled beginning Monday, March 16, 2020. We are very sorry for this inconvenience. We are one of very few local entertainment options. The decision to close has been difficult but we feel that community and employee health concerns are more important. It is critical that we all do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19 virus.
Movie theatre seating and public areas do not meet the CDC guidelines for social and physical distancing. Other theatres remaining open are encouraging public gatherings which put all of us at risk for spreading this disease more rapidly. The Globe wants to do its part to “flatten the curve”.
The timing of reopening will be determined by future circumstances. Any private parties currently booked at the Globe will be contacted for rebooking. All questions should be directed to Dave Willey via email, , or by telephone at (618) 267-1643.”
The Lake Theatre is getting new seats. Read about it here.
Here’s the new website for The Heart Theatre in Effinghma. The Gallery includes recent photos of the interior.
The Morris Theater will reopened as a music venue. The grand reopening will be March 15, 2023. Here’s an article with all the details.
Here’s a February 2022 article on the Canna Theatre: Gillespie City Council rejects Canna Theater offer.
This theater is open and now has six screens. Saw a movie here (on Screen #6) a couple weeks ago and was amazed at how great the building looks. Even the small auditoriums have large screens with great sound systems.
Here’s their new website: https://www.lyrictheater.com
The Galva Theatre was actually in the building on the right.