was this theater once known as the Atlantic?
See attached postcard – your description of the columns and the street address give me a strong suspicion: View link
The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ), June 11, 2006 p033
Curtain rises on $8M project to expand theater; Fundraising campaign to begin in Morristown. (COUNTY NEWS)
The Community Theatre in Morristown is kicking off an $8 million capital campaign tomorrow to fund its transformation into a venue big enough to host operas, Broadway-style shows, music festivals and large symphonies, in addition to its current lineup of concerts, entertainers and dancers.
Workers have already begun dismantling the back section of the theater, whose stage and three tiny dressing rooms are now a pile of rubble open to the elements.
In its place will rise an expanded performance space complete with off-stage wings, a “fly rail” system for set changes, a loading bay, a removable orchestra shell and an orchestra pit that can be raised and lowered.
The renovation – which is expected to be complete by the start of the next season on Nov. 3 – will make room for bigger productions, a year-round schedule, more education programs and a separate “black box” theater, said Allison Larena, the theater’s executive director.
Better air-conditioning will permit shows in the summer, Larena said.
And larger dressing rooms and a “green room” area will let the theater accommodate large troupes and celebrities more comfortably, instead of asking ballerinas to use the offices next door as a makeshift dressing room, and requiring symphony players to stand in the parking lot when they’re not on stage.
“You see the caliber of performers we have here,” Larena said. “We certainly want to make sure they’re happy performing here, so they come back.”
The theater has already raised $3.7 million toward its goal, she said.
The black box theater – which will seat up to 120 for education programs, cabarets and coffeehouses – as well as new offices is expected to open by late 2007.
That’s good news for the theater’s year-old performing arts school, said Cathy Roy, education director.
Now, the school can function only on Mondays and Tuesdays, since the stage is the only available performance space and those are the only days the theater is dark. Plus, the main stage can be intimidating for rookies, she said.
Roy, who has already taught about 250 children ages 5 to 18, envisions using the smaller venue for classes and rehearsals, and eventually putting on splashy productions like “Annie” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” on the main stage.
The venue could also host cabaret and jazz shows, as well as plays by local theater companies and colleges, she said.
The expansion, she said, “will make a huge difference.”
The venue was built in the 1930s as part of Walter Reade’s chain of cinemas.
It fell into disrepair and closed in the late 1980s, but hundreds of local volunteers joined forces to reopen it in 1994.
The venue’s superb acoustics convinced the St. Petersburg Kirov Orchestra to perform at a gala concert back then to kick off the effort to revive the theater.
After the work is completed, performers such as the New Jersey Symphony will be able to take full advantage of the theater, said Susan Stucker, the symphony’s vice president of operations and general manager.
The old stage couldn’t fit more than 80 players comfortably, but the renovated space will be large enough to host works such as Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 – which requires a chorus, she said.
“The acoustics are really good, so we’re really excited to bring a bigger repertoire there,” Stucker said.
The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ), April 3, 2003 p001
Crescent is rising in Sussex; AROUND THE TOWNS. (IN THE TOWNS)
Byline: KATIE WANG
After a time out of the spotlight, the 86-year-old Crescent Theater will be raising its curtains again tonight in Sussex.
The theater is presenting “To Kill a Mockingbird,” the first play to be performed there in years. Staff from the Tri-State Actors Theater and volunteers have worked for months to refurbish the dusty, empty theater.
The theater opened in 1917 and featured silent movies and vaudeville acts. It shut its doors in 1976 and then underwent a renovation in 1986.
The building was then used as a community center, but it was closed in 2001 because of water damage.
Local officials hope to land the building on a historical register.
“To Kill A Mockingbird” is an adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about childhood memories and life in a small Alabama town in 1935.
Original building, GG Green building, goes back to 1880. By 1919, it was primarily known as the Opera House (used for motion pictures). Sold tpo Woodbury Amusement and opened as the Rialto shortly thereafter. Sold to Stanley in 1926. Remodeled with new marquee in art deco style in 1935. Closed in 1955 due to stiff competition from the Wood Theatre. Used as retail space but may be restored to its former glory.
Images of America: South Jersey Movie Houses, page 71
Mr. Litke originally used the O'Donnell Building for his motion pictures. The building was too warm in the summer, so in 1912 he built a tent and called it the Eagle Theatre. The bricks and mortor Eagle Theatre, replacing the tent, was built in 1914 and closed in 1927. Located near 2nd avenue.
Images of America: South Jersey Movie Houses, page 68
Opened by James Palmer on August 31, 1912. Purchased by Samuel Frank and Jack Flynn (along with the Eagle Theatre) in 1923. Closed in 1951 and converted to retail space.
Images of America: South Jersey Movie Houses, page 68
Opened in 1920 by JB Fox. Closed in the mid 1950s but then reopened as the Carlton in 1959. Closed as an art theater in 1963. Then sold and reopened as the Moorestown Playhouse, a live theater venue.
Images of America: South Jersey Movie Houses, page 45
Located at Broad Street and Leconey Avenue. Opened in 1926. No balcony. Later purchased by the Varbalow family. Building is still standing and is used as a house of worship.
Images of America: South Jersey Movie Houses, page 44
Originally known as Foresters Hall, then the Forest Theatre. Built circa 1912. In 1916 bought by JB Fox and renamed the Fox Theatre. Remodeled in 1925 (adding the aforementioned Moller organ). Remodeled again in 1929 after a minor fire. Closed in the late 1950s and burned down as lostmemory notes above.
Images of America: South Jersey Movie Houses, page 42
I read somewhere recently that this theater is for sale.
Jim
was this theater once known as the Atlantic?
See attached postcard – your description of the columns and the street address give me a strong suspicion:
View link
Palace Theatre Program from April 9 1938:
View link
1936 program:
View link
Oddly enough, may have been known as the Hindenburg Theater in 1940:
View link
The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ), June 11, 2006 p033
Curtain rises on $8M project to expand theater; Fundraising campaign to begin in Morristown. (COUNTY NEWS)
The Community Theatre in Morristown is kicking off an $8 million capital campaign tomorrow to fund its transformation into a venue big enough to host operas, Broadway-style shows, music festivals and large symphonies, in addition to its current lineup of concerts, entertainers and dancers.
Workers have already begun dismantling the back section of the theater, whose stage and three tiny dressing rooms are now a pile of rubble open to the elements.
In its place will rise an expanded performance space complete with off-stage wings, a “fly rail” system for set changes, a loading bay, a removable orchestra shell and an orchestra pit that can be raised and lowered.
The renovation – which is expected to be complete by the start of the next season on Nov. 3 – will make room for bigger productions, a year-round schedule, more education programs and a separate “black box” theater, said Allison Larena, the theater’s executive director.
Better air-conditioning will permit shows in the summer, Larena said.
And larger dressing rooms and a “green room” area will let the theater accommodate large troupes and celebrities more comfortably, instead of asking ballerinas to use the offices next door as a makeshift dressing room, and requiring symphony players to stand in the parking lot when they’re not on stage.
“You see the caliber of performers we have here,” Larena said. “We certainly want to make sure they’re happy performing here, so they come back.”
The theater has already raised $3.7 million toward its goal, she said.
The black box theater – which will seat up to 120 for education programs, cabarets and coffeehouses – as well as new offices is expected to open by late 2007.
That’s good news for the theater’s year-old performing arts school, said Cathy Roy, education director.
Now, the school can function only on Mondays and Tuesdays, since the stage is the only available performance space and those are the only days the theater is dark. Plus, the main stage can be intimidating for rookies, she said.
Roy, who has already taught about 250 children ages 5 to 18, envisions using the smaller venue for classes and rehearsals, and eventually putting on splashy productions like “Annie” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” on the main stage.
The venue could also host cabaret and jazz shows, as well as plays by local theater companies and colleges, she said.
The expansion, she said, “will make a huge difference.”
The venue was built in the 1930s as part of Walter Reade’s chain of cinemas.
It fell into disrepair and closed in the late 1980s, but hundreds of local volunteers joined forces to reopen it in 1994.
The venue’s superb acoustics convinced the St. Petersburg Kirov Orchestra to perform at a gala concert back then to kick off the effort to revive the theater.
After the work is completed, performers such as the New Jersey Symphony will be able to take full advantage of the theater, said Susan Stucker, the symphony’s vice president of operations and general manager.
The old stage couldn’t fit more than 80 players comfortably, but the renovated space will be large enough to host works such as Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 – which requires a chorus, she said.
“The acoustics are really good, so we’re really excited to bring a bigger repertoire there,” Stucker said.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity.”
1937 program:
View link
Does anyone know where to get showtimes for this theater?
The phone number on the internet is disconnected and Galaxy has nothing on their homepage!!
Nice history & old photo:
http://asburypark.net/news/choice/2000.html
are you sure that it was/is a cinema?
text from my 6/13/05 link:
The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ), April 3, 2003 p001
Crescent is rising in Sussex; AROUND THE TOWNS. (IN THE TOWNS)
Byline: KATIE WANG
After a time out of the spotlight, the 86-year-old Crescent Theater will be raising its curtains again tonight in Sussex.
The theater is presenting “To Kill a Mockingbird,” the first play to be performed there in years. Staff from the Tri-State Actors Theater and volunteers have worked for months to refurbish the dusty, empty theater.
The theater opened in 1917 and featured silent movies and vaudeville acts. It shut its doors in 1976 and then underwent a renovation in 1986.
The building was then used as a community center, but it was closed in 2001 because of water damage.
Local officials hope to land the building on a historical register.
“To Kill A Mockingbird” is an adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about childhood memories and life in a small Alabama town in 1935.
Tickets for the show range from $13 to $25.
To order tickets, call (973) 875-2950 or visit www.tristateactorstheater.org
Attached link puts the theater in operation from at least 1963 through 1976.
http://www.drive-ins.com/theater/njtmana
Marc:
Do you have any interior photos before/after the renovation that you can post?
Opened in 1921. No balcony. Closed in the 1950s.
Images of America: South Jersey Movie Houses, page 84
Survived as a theater into the 1970s by showing Spanish language films. Closed as a theater in 1979.
Images of America: South Jersey Movie Houses, page 84
Opened in 1924. Remodeled along with new marquee in 1940. Sold to a local church group in the 1970s. Purchased in 2004 for use as a theater.
Images of America: South Jersey Movie Houses, page 78
Original building, GG Green building, goes back to 1880. By 1919, it was primarily known as the Opera House (used for motion pictures). Sold tpo Woodbury Amusement and opened as the Rialto shortly thereafter. Sold to Stanley in 1926. Remodeled with new marquee in art deco style in 1935. Closed in 1955 due to stiff competition from the Wood Theatre. Used as retail space but may be restored to its former glory.
Images of America: South Jersey Movie Houses, page 71
Built by William L. Lowe in 1923. 444 seats. Closed in the 1950s.
Images of America: South Jersey Movie Houses, page 69
Mr. Litke originally used the O'Donnell Building for his motion pictures. The building was too warm in the summer, so in 1912 he built a tent and called it the Eagle Theatre. The bricks and mortor Eagle Theatre, replacing the tent, was built in 1914 and closed in 1927. Located near 2nd avenue.
Images of America: South Jersey Movie Houses, page 68
Opened by James Palmer on August 31, 1912. Purchased by Samuel Frank and Jack Flynn (along with the Eagle Theatre) in 1923. Closed in 1951 and converted to retail space.
Images of America: South Jersey Movie Houses, page 68
May have been a nickelodeon at one time.
Images of America: South Jersey Movie Houses, page 65
Built in 1922 by Jack Greenberg. Originally named Parkway Theatre. Remodeled by Greenberg in 1936 and renamed Park Theatre.
Opened in 1920 by JB Fox. Closed in the mid 1950s but then reopened as the Carlton in 1959. Closed as an art theater in 1963. Then sold and reopened as the Moorestown Playhouse, a live theater venue.
Images of America: South Jersey Movie Houses, page 45
Located at Broad Street and Leconey Avenue. Opened in 1926. No balcony. Later purchased by the Varbalow family. Building is still standing and is used as a house of worship.
Images of America: South Jersey Movie Houses, page 44
Originally known as Foresters Hall, then the Forest Theatre. Built circa 1912. In 1916 bought by JB Fox and renamed the Fox Theatre. Remodeled in 1925 (adding the aforementioned Moller organ). Remodeled again in 1929 after a minor fire. Closed in the late 1950s and burned down as lostmemory notes above.
Images of America: South Jersey Movie Houses, page 42