Miller Theatre
708 Broad Street,
Augusta,
GA
30901
708 Broad Street,
Augusta,
GA
30901
11 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 50 of 222 comments
Yep. but at least it will be saved.
African Queen, ah yes, what a great classic. Unfortunately with the present plans for the Miller, those days are gone. Such a shame.
June 1 1952 and “THE AFRICAN QUEEN” opens here to large crowds.
Oh….makes sense.
rnordan, I was responding to rivest266 who posted about grand opening ads of various Augusta theaters in the past.
Not likely to see that in here. Announcing a Grand Opening was a bit premature. You would need to contact Symphony Orchestra Augusta for that info.
I don’t see any links to the grand opening ads listed in your posts on the various theaters….?
Augusta Chroncile March 4 2012 had a nice report that Miller Theatre project is advancing and hope to open in 2014-15 season.
Where?
I uploaded the February 25th, 1940 grand opening ad here.
It was Augusta’s Largest,if they expand stage, which they will have to do, they figure to lose about 500 seats.Right now there are NO seats on the bottom only the balcony.
I went to this theater in the summer and fall of 1965. I was station at Ft Gordon. It was nice to go to. Made me forget about the army for a few hours. Was a beautiful cinema.
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Mordan, Thanks for update. I grew up in Augusta and went to all the old downtown theaters(Miller, Imperial, Rialto, Modjeska) as well as the auditorium. In fact my 1958 high school graduation from Richmond Academy was held at Bell Auditorium
Cajun, The Bell Auditorium was built as a WPA project post-depression era, with federal money and next to free labor. Yes it is still open, but pretty much a dump. The Miller opened in 1940 with private sector money, with smart business people at the helm. The eonconmy of the 1960s & 1980’s pretty much did the Miller in. But the building, now stabilized by the efforts of Peter Knox IV, is structurally very sound. It just requires some additional work to get it up and running again. We will see what happens.
Is the old Bell Auditorium, built around the same time as the Miller, still open for public events?
Give it to Mike Deas and Augusta Amusements. He will maintain its' historical integrity and work well with area arts groups.
Amen! This makes a lot more sense than an enlarged stage intruding itself into the house, which IMO would destroy the unique character of the Miller that we all admire. It would preserve the pit elevator, a rarity in any but the most elaborate production houses, while providing the opportunity to rebuild and re-equip the stage, backstage, and wing space, bringing them up to modern standards. IIRC, there is empty land behind the stage house; wonder what the ownership situation is?
IMO, the best solution for the Miller is to knock out the back wall and extend the stage back. For many reasons – 1) preserve 1500 seat capacity 2) add more dressing rooms downstairs 3) add more restrooms downstairs 4) create new load in door which will keep 18 wheelers from completely blocking Ellis Street.
Henry, Michael Deas is on Facebook, he is taking care of the theatre .i know he would be glad to talk about the MILLER.
Henry, the stage is just so small, that there is no other way,Augusta AMusements.com might be able to give you a bit more info.
500?! Geez, that’s a third of the house! What kinds of performances are envisioned for the enlarged stage? IMO such drastic alteration will destroy the very qualities that make this house such a valued venue. I’d like to see the specifics—-any references (newspaper, etc.)?
Have been told the stage, which is small, will have to be enlarged at the loss of around 500 seats, still will seat more than the IMPERIAL across the street……
Miller has been sold and will be SAVED,Augusta Arts Group bought it.
Bet you saw some 007’s here.they all played the Miller riausche.