Kenosha Theatre
5913 6th Avenue,
Kenosha,
WI
53143
5913 6th Avenue,
Kenosha,
WI
53143
9 people favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 35 of 35 comments
Looks like a bond issue to finance the theatre was under discussion at some point recently.
Any news on what is currently going on with this theater? Not heard anything in quite a long time.
Extra extra, gangster hood goes free after burglary of theater:
TARELLO JURY DISCHARGED IN DISAGREEMENT
April 27, 1929 – Failing to agree after more than 20 hours deliberation, the jury trying Angelo Tarello,
Chicago gangster, for complicity in the burglary of the Kenosha theater here last December, was discharged in circuit court at 9:45 this morning by Judge Byron B. Park, Stevens Point, who heard the case for Judge E. B. Belden. Meanwhile, David and Alex Dotz, found guilty of complicity in the same burglary on March 26, and who were sentenced from 16 to 19 and 15 to 18 years in the Green Bay reformatory, respectively, last night, were started for that place on a train at four o'clock this morning.
It was reported in the court room this morning that the jury had stood divided 8-4 for conviction almost from the beginning and that further deliberations were unable to effect any change in its attitude. The state announced that it planned to bring Tarello to trial again for the offense at the earliest possible opportunity.
According to their story, night watchman Alex Dotz had been forced to participate in the affair by Tarello’s repeated threats. He let Tarello and a companion into the theater and permitted himself to be bound to a chair after the safe had been ransackedâ€"“to make it look like a real job.” Meanwhile his brother, David, then a member of the police force, had stationed himself in the balcony of the theater, planning to protect his brother and arrest the burglars before they could affect a getaway. However, he testified, that he lost his “nerve” and could not go through with the plan.
Upon completion of testimony in the Tarello case, Judge Park called the Dotz brothers before him to hear arguments for new trials. These were promptly denied, and the judge prepared to sentence the youths. Both were weeping. “I’m not guilty,” sobbed Alex, when asked whether he had anything to say. Then he pointed to Tarello. “Before God, there’s the man who’s guilty.” The youth, celebrating his twenty first birthday in the court room, then became hysterical.
As the judge passed sentence Alex collapsed. Two deputies carried him from the court room. His 18-year old wife emerged from the spectators, screamed and ran toward him. She was restrained by police officers. Then she ran to his mother. The pair wept loudly. At the same time, the boy’s father, who had been sitting three rows back, jumped to his feet and shook his fists at Tarello. “God will curse you!” he cried.
Anything going on with this theatre currently?
This is pretty cool:
View link
Try http://kenoshatheater.com/ There’s also a Yahoo community for the restoration efforts at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kenoshatheatre/
Also sent an email to the www.kenoshatheatre.org website and it, too, was undeliverable.
Pete: Sent an email to your address, but was undeliverable. Please advise.
What’s the current status of this atmospheric theatre in Kenosha WI?
First of all, some factual corrections. Our website domain name has changed to www.kenoshatheatre.org The theatre sat 2300 people, and has been described by more than one theater historian as a “shotgun” theatre. The house is very long, but not very wide. This contributes to the excellent acoustics, even to this day. The Kenosha was once part of the Universal chain in its early days, then became part of the Warner Brother’s chain in the 30’s, then Standard Theaters until closing. In 1963, Standard sold the building and placed a deed restriction stating that it could not be used as a theater for 30 years (Standard owned the Lake Theater up the street, and didn’t want competition) For a time the space was used for a flea market, then as warehouse space until being vacated in the late 70’s. Currently, the apartments above the lobby have been renovated and are occupied, and the building is very safe from the wrecking ball.
Right now, the non-profit KTRP is working on defenite restoration plans so we have something to go to when we ask for funding. Several open houses held this summer have helped to bring the project into the public eye. Most, if not all, comments we recieved were very positive. If you would like to schedule a tour for yourself our your group please call us at 262-658-2355 or email at