Sorry I never followed this up. The theater has recovered from the water damage. The only casualty was the original stage lighting panel from 1927 got flooded and had to be disconnected and any power routed through it had to be rerouted.
According to what I have been reading, the Stage Door Theatre is in the process of being removed so they can restore the Orpheum stage to its full original size. This is being done to accommodate bigger shows on the stage. They will still be showing movies but the focus is being shifted to live performances and bigger shows.
Press Release from the Lakeside Players regarding an event that happened Thursday, June 15, 2011.
Today at 2:20PM, Justin Frieman, President of the Lakeside Players, Inc., entered the Steigerwaldt Auditorium of the Rhode Center for the Arts, 514 56th Street, and noticed gallons of water pouring onto the stage from the east side second floor. The Kenosha Fire Department was called. The water and power to the building have been turned off to prevent further damage. Emergency repair crews have been contacted and will be working the evening of June 15th. The scheduled “Rhode Big Clean” for Saturday, June 18th has not yet been canceled, as we may be able to occupy parts of the building by Saturday. Please consult our website http://rhodeopera.org for updates on this event. The Pollard Art Gallery will remain open during regular hours.
Update to this press release is the “Big Clean” has been postponed until later this summer due to “ a result of severe water damage that occurred at the historic theater on June 15th afternoon”.
Recovery is looking hopeful but it will take time.
Never knew about this theatre but I remember the movie theatre that used to be just down the street from this one. It would have been somewhere in the 200 Block of Broadway. Located in that spot now is a few different businesses in the building, unsure if its the same building but just west of it is a Kwik Trip (once upon a time was a Clark Gas Station). Anyone remember this? It was open until the late 70s-early 80s.
Also, I think the website for this theatre now is kenoshatheatre.org. Hard to say, kenoshatheatre.com doesn’t seem to connect to anything and the .org doesn’t look like its been updated in a very long time!
No, no updates in a long time. To restore this theatre would require a massive amount of time and money. More than any volunteer effort could possibly do. Still would love to see it happen, just don’t see HOW it could happen, unless someone has $25 million to spare.
I’m amazed. I honestly didn’t think they would be able to rebuild, kudos to them! I can only imagine the amount of hard work and perseverance it has taken to get to this point when it would have been easier to just give up and bulldoze it.
Well, as someone in the nearby area. I’ve been seeing people wanting the whole area around the Modjeska, include the Modjeska, leveled for a few years now. So, no surprise people are asking for its demolition. Then again, that tends to be general sentiment towards any old buildings in this country “Its old! That means its no good! Tear it down!”. Something about Americans, not sure what, does not connect with buildings the way they do in other countries. Always out with the old, in with the new.
Very sad to see all the comments on that article. Its the same mind set that has led to so many classic theatres meeting the wrecking ball. “Its old, it can’t be any good, tear it down!” and “why do we need a theatre anyways? Can’t they use another building?” geez.
Read it again, the majority of the funds are coming from private backers. Only a fraction of it is coming from Federal and State funds. Those funds, from what I read are earmarked for historical renovations so its not as if those funds are being taken from housing as that is not where they were intended to go in the first place.
Great to see an old theatre get a facelift, its just sad it had to slide so far to get the help it needed.
Well, it sort of looks like an old theatre in the auditorium, but its not the old theatre. Its a new auditorium pretty much built to look like an old theatre based off the old theatre that was once there.
Its sad, but oh well, I guess it could have been worse, they could have gutted and gave it the bland look.
Yes, the Paramount was also known as the Capitol as shown in a picture I’ve found on a Facebook profile “Photos from the Lost Des Moines”. It shows both the Marquee of the Des Moines Theatre and the Capitol Theatre. Also, has other pics of other theatres including the KRNT Theatre (aka Shrine Temple Auditorium and Za-Ga-Zig Shrine Temple)and many others, some I’ve not been able to locate on Cinema Treasures which is surprising as the KRNT Radio Theatre was once known as the largest in the U.S. once upon a time.
Been finding some interesting things. I found a book called “Kenosha on the Go” I believe is the name and it had a picture of the 6th Ave. (Main St.) entrance. The picture was taken in the early 30s and at that time it WAS being used for that purpose as on both sides of the door in the center you could see movie posters on the walls. Also, within the auditorium on the west side you can find a wall that seems to be hollow indicating it was added after the original construction and would indicate the entry to that part of the building. Still trying to track down more information as to when it was split off from the theater and sold.
Also, while going over some old articles. I was shown an article talking about the building of what was to be the Gateway Theatre and it made mention of plans to put in a rooftop garden, to my knowledge, that never came to pass. The company also at that time was called the “Kenosha New Orpheum Theater Company”.
I plan to make a trip to the library to dig through the old newspapers soon! See what else I can find!
As for pics of the fountain and the interior of the intact auditorium, the ONLY pictures I currently have access to is the pics from around the time of the grand opening.
Speaking of! Here is an article I found from Dec. 27, 1927. View link talking about the grand opening of the Gateway.
I was down there taking pictures and some video. They stopped working around 1:45 or so due to a mechanical problem with the equipment. Right now the storefront to the west is all gone and part of the lobby is exposed, also the backwall into the auditoriumis gone so you can see right in. Apparently tomorrow they will finish up the front half and then start in on the auditorium.
Truth be told, the city is not putting up 24 million to restore a theater. My understanding is it would be a bond the city would co-sign on. However, at this point, nothing has been signed so to make such a statement in the paper seemed a bit odd, since its only in discussions and the city has not got on board with it. So right now, there are no city funds being used for any downtown theatre restoration.
Also, that 1 million wouldn’t restore the Roosevelt, it would just weather proof it, it would take millions more to restore it and there is no interest to do so, there hasn’t been for several years. I hate to say it but I can’t blame the city one bit for what they are doing. Besides, every thing I’ve heard and read indicates there really is no theatre left there. The interior has been gutted and the basement that used to be a bowling alley was also gutted. Its, unfortunately, a shell. Unless someone can prove otherwise.
Sorry I never followed this up. The theater has recovered from the water damage. The only casualty was the original stage lighting panel from 1927 got flooded and had to be disconnected and any power routed through it had to be rerouted.
According to what I have been reading, the Stage Door Theatre is in the process of being removed so they can restore the Orpheum stage to its full original size. This is being done to accommodate bigger shows on the stage. They will still be showing movies but the focus is being shifted to live performances and bigger shows.
Press Release from the Lakeside Players regarding an event that happened Thursday, June 15, 2011.
Today at 2:20PM, Justin Frieman, President of the Lakeside Players, Inc., entered the Steigerwaldt Auditorium of the Rhode Center for the Arts, 514 56th Street, and noticed gallons of water pouring onto the stage from the east side second floor. The Kenosha Fire Department was called. The water and power to the building have been turned off to prevent further damage. Emergency repair crews have been contacted and will be working the evening of June 15th. The scheduled “Rhode Big Clean” for Saturday, June 18th has not yet been canceled, as we may be able to occupy parts of the building by Saturday. Please consult our website http://rhodeopera.org for updates on this event. The Pollard Art Gallery will remain open during regular hours.
Update to this press release is the “Big Clean” has been postponed until later this summer due to “ a result of severe water damage that occurred at the historic theater on June 15th afternoon”.
Recovery is looking hopeful but it will take time.
Never knew about this theatre but I remember the movie theatre that used to be just down the street from this one. It would have been somewhere in the 200 Block of Broadway. Located in that spot now is a few different businesses in the building, unsure if its the same building but just west of it is a Kwik Trip (once upon a time was a Clark Gas Station). Anyone remember this? It was open until the late 70s-early 80s.
Also, I think the website for this theatre now is kenoshatheatre.org. Hard to say, kenoshatheatre.com doesn’t seem to connect to anything and the .org doesn’t look like its been updated in a very long time!
No, no updates in a long time. To restore this theatre would require a massive amount of time and money. More than any volunteer effort could possibly do. Still would love to see it happen, just don’t see HOW it could happen, unless someone has $25 million to spare.
Compare those recent photos with the photos from the Life Magazine, you see just how far gone that theatre is, sadly.
Doesn’t look like there is anything there worth saving, unfortunately, its a gutted-out trash heap…
It sounds and looks like that theatre was gone YEARS ago, sadly. Then again, from what I hear, that’s the general state of Detroit.
From the looks of these pics and from what I heard? The end for this theatre came a LONG time ago.
I’m amazed. I honestly didn’t think they would be able to rebuild, kudos to them! I can only imagine the amount of hard work and perseverance it has taken to get to this point when it would have been easier to just give up and bulldoze it.
Why is this listed as closed? Its far from closed. In fact, from the pictures I’ve seen, it looks better than it has in years!
Well, as someone in the nearby area. I’ve been seeing people wanting the whole area around the Modjeska, include the Modjeska, leveled for a few years now. So, no surprise people are asking for its demolition. Then again, that tends to be general sentiment towards any old buildings in this country “Its old! That means its no good! Tear it down!”. Something about Americans, not sure what, does not connect with buildings the way they do in other countries. Always out with the old, in with the new.
I fear the Modjeska’s days are numbered.
Very sad to see all the comments on that article. Its the same mind set that has led to so many classic theatres meeting the wrecking ball. “Its old, it can’t be any good, tear it down!” and “why do we need a theatre anyways? Can’t they use another building?” geez.
Actually, I have some pics of the Zephyr, but there are also pics of the Capitol/Capri further down and are labeled as such.
So now the MPAA wants to kill off the movie theater. Nice. Why, so with the decline in profits they complain that its all the fault of movie pirates?
Read it again, the majority of the funds are coming from private backers. Only a fraction of it is coming from Federal and State funds. Those funds, from what I read are earmarked for historical renovations so its not as if those funds are being taken from housing as that is not where they were intended to go in the first place.
Great to see an old theatre get a facelift, its just sad it had to slide so far to get the help it needed.
Well, it sort of looks like an old theatre in the auditorium, but its not the old theatre. Its a new auditorium pretty much built to look like an old theatre based off the old theatre that was once there.
Its sad, but oh well, I guess it could have been worse, they could have gutted and gave it the bland look.
Yes, the Paramount was also known as the Capitol as shown in a picture I’ve found on a Facebook profile “Photos from the Lost Des Moines”. It shows both the Marquee of the Des Moines Theatre and the Capitol Theatre. Also, has other pics of other theatres including the KRNT Theatre (aka Shrine Temple Auditorium and Za-Ga-Zig Shrine Temple)and many others, some I’ve not been able to locate on Cinema Treasures which is surprising as the KRNT Radio Theatre was once known as the largest in the U.S. once upon a time.
Been finding some interesting things. I found a book called “Kenosha on the Go” I believe is the name and it had a picture of the 6th Ave. (Main St.) entrance. The picture was taken in the early 30s and at that time it WAS being used for that purpose as on both sides of the door in the center you could see movie posters on the walls. Also, within the auditorium on the west side you can find a wall that seems to be hollow indicating it was added after the original construction and would indicate the entry to that part of the building. Still trying to track down more information as to when it was split off from the theater and sold.
Also, while going over some old articles. I was shown an article talking about the building of what was to be the Gateway Theatre and it made mention of plans to put in a rooftop garden, to my knowledge, that never came to pass. The company also at that time was called the “Kenosha New Orpheum Theater Company”.
I plan to make a trip to the library to dig through the old newspapers soon! See what else I can find!
As for pics of the fountain and the interior of the intact auditorium, the ONLY pictures I currently have access to is the pics from around the time of the grand opening.
Speaking of! Here is an article I found from Dec. 27, 1927. View link talking about the grand opening of the Gateway.
I heard the entire front of the building was demolished today.
I was down there taking pictures and some video. They stopped working around 1:45 or so due to a mechanical problem with the equipment. Right now the storefront to the west is all gone and part of the lobby is exposed, also the backwall into the auditoriumis gone so you can see right in. Apparently tomorrow they will finish up the front half and then start in on the auditorium.
Truth be told, the city is not putting up 24 million to restore a theater. My understanding is it would be a bond the city would co-sign on. However, at this point, nothing has been signed so to make such a statement in the paper seemed a bit odd, since its only in discussions and the city has not got on board with it. So right now, there are no city funds being used for any downtown theatre restoration.
Also, that 1 million wouldn’t restore the Roosevelt, it would just weather proof it, it would take millions more to restore it and there is no interest to do so, there hasn’t been for several years. I hate to say it but I can’t blame the city one bit for what they are doing. Besides, every thing I’ve heard and read indicates there really is no theatre left there. The interior has been gutted and the basement that used to be a bowling alley was also gutted. Its, unfortunately, a shell. Unless someone can prove otherwise.
Well, they better step forward and fast.
My understanding is the building has been up for sale for years. No one wants it.