Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts
4 Southbridge Street,
Worcester,
MA
01608
4 Southbridge Street,
Worcester,
MA
01608
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On Saturday, March 22, the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, as it is now called, beautifully restored at a cost of $31,000,000, will host a free open house from noon to 5 P.M. This is a great opportunity for people in the area to tour the theatre and see what can be done with great “cinema treasures” of the past.
The 6 PM local news, Wed. Feb. 27, on Boston’s WBZ-TV (Ch. 4) had a feature about the Hanover Theatre. Video shot in Sept. 2006 was contrasted with recent video. There were shots of the foyer, balcony, proscenium, stage, etc. The theater looks great! It was said that they expect to open on schedule in mid-March.
I believe the name Hanover comes from the Hanover Insurance Group of Worcester which provided some substantial funding for the theatre’s restoration.
Where does the name ‘Hanover’ come from?
Their new website is up at http://www.thehanovertheatre.org/ and the Hanover Theater Organ website is now at http://www.thehanoverorgan.org/TheHanoverOrgan/
Great news – Opening date is March 14, 2008!! They already have three shows scheduled after that (Hairspray, Stomp and Jesus Christ Superstar)
From the pictures it looks like they were in overdrive the past year with renovations — proscenium, side boxes and orchestra walls all reconstructed. they’re doing a great job! Great to hear that they’ll have a Mighty WurliTzer 4/35 organ!
Thanks for the feedback Ron. Just talked with my grandmother (from Scranton, PA); she said that at family get-togethers they used to talk fondly about their “theatre” relatives. All my other Poli cousins, aunts and uncles from that era are deceased. Like everyone else in this forum, I’m searching for links to this grand chapter in history! In my case, possible family links… Thanks again!
Poli’s first name was Sylvester, and he was based in Connecticut starting in the 1910 decade. He built up a chain of vaudeville and film theaters, some of which were large “movie palaces” like this one in Worcester. I don’t know when he died or what happened to his immediate family.
I’ve been told by my grandfather that his father’s brother was the “Poli” in “Poli Palace.” Anyone know what became of the Poli family?
When the Poli (for a brief time in the 1960s called the Poli Palace) was turned into Showcase, I think it had three screens before it was quadded. The balcony, the main auditorium, and the balcony foyer. That foyer had been a wonderful space of white pillars and mirrors, giving a great feeling of space in an otherwise cramped entrance area.
Please check out the start of our web site at thehanoverorgan.org
In what theatre was the organ formerly located?
The contract has been signed for the installation of the largest theatre organ in New England, a 4 manual 35 rank Wurlitzer. The organ is now in a shop in New Bedford. The final concert there will take place in mid-June prior to its disassembly for the move.
The contract has been signed for the installation of the largest theatre organ in New England, a 4 manual 35 rank Wurlitzer. The organ is now in a shop in New Bedford. The final concert there will take place in mid-June prior to its disassembly for the move.
THIS LINK takes you to the theatre’s restoration site with lots of information about work in progress, booking plans, history, funding, etc. It looks like it will be known as the HANOVER THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS and appears to be moving forward at full speed.
THIS LINK takes you to the theatre’s restoration site with lots of information about work in progress, booking plans, history, funding, etc. It looks like it will be known as the HANOVER THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS and appears to be moving forward at full speed.
I was in Worcester last night for a concert at nearby Mechanics Hall. I walked around beforehand to work off my dinner and by sheer chance caught this construction in progess at this theatre, the former Poli Palace. The entire rear wall has been removed, and the auditorium lights remained on at night. From the rear parking lot I could peer directly into the auditorium. There are no more separation walls for small cinemas. It was a very eerie and startling sight, and very gratifying as well, since it seems things are moving forward. It should be noted that the entire entrance area in front of the theatre has been removed as well to allow construction of a new one to replace what the Showcase Cinemas had installed.
I had my camera with me, and it has its limitations, but here are two photos I took from behind the fencing:
AUDITORIUM SEEN FROM OUTSIDE
REAR SIDE
The contract was signed last week for the installation of the largest theatre organ in New England, a 4-manual, 35-rank Wurlitzer. Installation should begin in late summer.
If you find anything els out, please let me know. Thanks!
Sorry, I don’t know. I have been told that very recently there was an article in a newspaper (I assume it’s the Worcester paper) which mentioned upcoming work in the building, and which also referred to the place not as the “Worcester Center of the Perf. Arts”, but as the “Grand Palace Theatre”.
Do you know who is in charge of the planning and how to get a hold of them? Any more information is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I’m sure the opening date depends on the funding stream. This is not an abandoned project and the planning for it is well along. There is vacant land directly in back of the rear stage wall on which to expand the stage rearwards. And the front wall of the theatre has already been “modernized” and could be re-used.
When is this theatre supposed to open?
I was inside the building with the THSA group on Friday morning, June 30. There were no work crews on duty. The 4 auditoriums are still intact and the partitions have not been removed. As pointed out above, the stage is now gone, but its outer walls are still in place. The theatre needs a lot of work !
I visited the building yesterday. Renovations are progressing, with hopes of opening in 2007. Asbestos removal is in progress. The seats have been stripped, and the auditorium and stage will be restored. Except for the stage (now gone), most of the building appears to be intact and in generally good condition.
The building is currently owned by the Worcester Center for Performing Arts, a nonprofit organization which will be responsible for the restoration. They are aiming to have about 2200 seats in the restored theatre (floor+balcony).
The photo posted by Lost Memory on March 8, 2005 above is of this theatre – the Loew’s Poli, ex-Poli Palace, later Showcase. The facade photo in the 1941 MGM Report matches Lost Memory’s facade photo.