Wheaton Grand Theater

123 N. Hale Street,
Wheaton, IL 60187

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Showing 76 - 100 of 369 comments

Life's Too Short
Life's Too Short on April 16, 2006 at 12:29 pm

This guy seems to get a lot of email:

http://www.crackd.net/

send PAUL WARSHAUER email! but if you’re looking for info about lawsuits Leave me alone. And stop msg'g me.

I’m NOT that Paul Warshauer! If you want that dude, Try this.

or this, or this, or use f***ing google like I did.

goaway
goaway on April 16, 2006 at 12:17 pm

Paul, you conveniently skipped over my question. Did you give those donations to anyone or did you keep them?

rroberts
rroberts on April 16, 2006 at 8:43 am

Life: You and I have been warned about posting lies and to stick to the facts. GVI has filed a lawsuit against Grand Theatre Corporation. We are suing them. Period. All the issues regarding money owed to us, money we have collected on behalf of them, concessions, commissions, tortious interference, etc., will be settled in court. Let it stay there not on this site. There are no other lawsuits or claims aginst GVI or me personally. All judgements against me have been paid. Thank you.

Life's Too Short
Life's Too Short on April 15, 2006 at 10:08 am

Here’s how I think things are going to end up:

One day somebody is going to get angry enough with Paul to organize all the people out there who have reported being taken for 3 or 4 thousand dollars. If you aggregate tons of 3 or 4 thousand dollar claims it adds up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. That is a claim big enough to interest an attorney, as well as the Treasury Department (because I would venture to guess that Paul has not been filing proper tax returns). Paul will be served. This time he better show up: unlike the little court cases he has been involved in before, he will end up in jail for blowing off these court orders. Once the trial starts Paul will destroy himself rather quickly. Think about it: can you imagine Paul on the witness stand? My God! He contradicts himself constantly. He always has to have the last word and comes off like a jerk. That may be fine and good when he is dealing with a small town community-based theatre organization. But it’s not going to work in a legal trial in Downtown Chicago. Paul will be found guilty, and then it will most likely be a matter of a couple years in jail. Of course, he will be a model prisoner and get released after a year or so. But he will spend years paying off the judgment (starting with the wages he earns while working in prison), and walk the Earth as a convicted felon. It is also worthy of note that his time in prison will be most uncomfortable if the accusations of child indiscretions are discovered by his fellow inmates. It doesn’t matter whether or not they are true. All it would take would be somebody inside the prison recognizing Paul (which seems like a good probability) and mentioning it to another inmate.

Stop wasting your life, Paul, and use your skills to do something with it.

goaway
goaway on April 15, 2006 at 7:34 am

Speaking of fundraisers Paul – did you ever give the donations you collected from that birthday party last year to the theater board, or at least back to the donors? Funny how news about you is travelling through all kinds of circles in the Chicago area. Sounds kinda fraud-y to me. Maybe an investigation is in order.

rroberts
rroberts on April 14, 2006 at 5:20 am

Life’s: Did you get a degree in psychology? You appear to have such empathy and passion to help people and save theatres like I do. You say I am “acting like a door to door knife salesman?” Yikes. Perhaps you need help. Someday I truly believe that we could meet and work on a project together. Naturally you would want to meet in a public place as you appear to be so afraid of me. Bring a friend or two and let’s work on another theatre together. I am sure there are a few left for us. So we can get back to business…What is happening a the Wheaton Grand now? Are there fundraisers planned? Will there be an architects plan presented to the public?

Life's Too Short
Life's Too Short on April 13, 2006 at 5:45 pm

By the way, again, good luck to the Grand.

I believe that old theatres can rise again as centers of the surrounding community. You just have to make people realize how cool it is that so many generations of people have created memories in the building: first dates, first movies, graduations, whatever.

Go to Europe, you know? How cool is it to be in some of those structures that have been standing for so many hundreds of years. We aren’t ever going to get there if we turn all of our buildings into condos.

Life's Too Short
Life's Too Short on April 13, 2006 at 5:39 pm

It’s not flaming. I am trying to help Paul. I really think that if Paul ever decides to stop acting like a door-to-door kitchen knife salesman that he will do great things. He is intelligent, persuasive, creative and (obviously) never quits. That’s what you need to be successful.

Unfortunately it doesn’t appear that Paul has any intention of working on his life issues.

Broan
Broan on April 13, 2006 at 4:43 am

hahahahahahahahaha

rroberts
rroberts on April 13, 2006 at 4:36 am

Thank you, KZA347. Words to live by.

kza347
kza347 on April 13, 2006 at 1:10 am

Life-

Please don’t mess up the board by getting into a flame war with Paul. If you really want to do that call him up or flame away at Or go to grandevenues.com, find out where he works and tell him in person.

Life's Too Short
Life's Too Short on April 12, 2006 at 7:18 pm

The fact is that you suck. So I don’t see what the problem is.

The real tragedy of your existence, Paul, is that I think you are extraordinarily creative and persuasive. If you used your talents for legitimate enterprise I think you would contribute greatly to the world.

Here’s an honest comment (it really is): I would be happy to give you the name of a good counselor. It is never too late to turn your life around.

You think I am messing with you. But I am not.

rroberts
rroberts on April 12, 2006 at 5:54 pm

Lifes2short: Your frustration is clear for all to see. You have now sunk to new lows… high school name calling. Sad. No one is trying to bring this discussion down, only to reality. GVI sued in a court of law because even a not for profit is capable of breaking the law and failure to pay commissions. We all love old theatres. That is why we post here. You take everything personally then throw back vitriol. Are you on the board? Are you a volunteer? What is your connection with the theatre? Why don’t you come out of the shadows? Your attacks on me personally aren’t necessary. Just stick to the facts.

Life's Too Short
Life's Too Short on April 11, 2006 at 4:13 pm

You suck Paul. Only a complete &$&* would get into the middle of a nice conversation like this and bring it down.

Come to think of it, only a complete &*($*(# would sue a non-profit theatre restoration group with limited funds in an effort to seize control of the property after jerking them around to begin with.

Oops! Did I say that?!?

I can hear the Cinema Treasures storm troopers coming for me now…

rroberts
rroberts on March 30, 2006 at 1:05 pm

Good luck with the next “phase.” Hopefully those with property inside will be able to get it out before too long.

JLoster
JLoster on March 30, 2006 at 8:12 am

Yeah, that’s a pretty nice article. We’re going to have a great time on April 1st for our last 2006 show, ending this phase on a high note, then start getting busy with the next phase. This place is going to be something special when it reopens.
Thanks to everyone who came out to a show the last few years – we hope to see you all back when we’re reopened.

DuPagefiends
DuPagefiends on March 30, 2006 at 3:30 am

Here is an article from the Daily Herald about the Wheaton:

http://beep.dailyherald.com/story.aspx?story=1786

berniesgroove
berniesgroove on March 22, 2006 at 7:48 am

Cosmogirl-

Please watch the Wheaton Grand Website. We’ll be looking for more volunteers soon to help with various tasks related to the restoration.

Thanks.

Jerry Smith
Wheaton Grand Theater
http://www.wheatongrand.net

berniesgroove
berniesgroove on March 22, 2006 at 7:40 am

Bryan-

Thanks much for the image! We’ll add it to our collection. Is there any information on the back of the postcard such as the date and caption?

We welcome anyone else who has access to old photos, news clippings, information, stories, postcards, etc.

Thanks.

Jerry Smith
Wheaton Grand Theater
http://www.wheatongrand.net

Life's Too Short
Life's Too Short on March 21, 2006 at 6:56 pm

Go get ‘em Mr. Loster.

JLoster
JLoster on March 21, 2006 at 2:45 pm

Cosmogirl, thanks for the kind words. Yes, we’ll keep the public involved, definitely. With the venue being closed while we begin the work, it will become essential to keep the public informed on what’s happening so no-one forgets about us! Keep an eye on this site, or on our website www.wheatongrand.net and we’ll try to keep it infused with as much info as possible. Thanks for your support!

John
WGT

zogstar
zogstar on March 21, 2006 at 3:43 am

Congratulations WGT. Those of us familiar with the venue know it is the best but it is gratifying to have everyone else recognize the fact. The Wheaton Grand is an awesome place and deserves to get the recognition. I have been there many times throught the years and am really excited that the restoration is beginning.

Will there be any chances for the public to get involved with the resotration process? I would love to be a part of the process. I don’t have large sums of money to donate but am willing to invest as much time and energy as I can.

Once again, CONGRATULATIONS WGT—You’re the best!

JLoster
JLoster on March 21, 2006 at 3:35 am

Good news! Wheaton Grand Theater won two awards last night at Suburban Nitelife’s Best of the Burbs 2005 awards ceremony. We were the proud winners of Best All-Ages Music Venue and Best Original Music Venue. A nice way to finish our 2006 programming season (although we have 4 more shows left!) Looking forward to a great future!

John
WGT

JLoster
JLoster on March 21, 2006 at 3:31 am

From the March 18th Daily Herald’s Editorial page:

Pivotal juncture for Wheaton Grand:

Come April, the Wheaton Grand Theater will shut down for the sake of reopening. That may sound paradoxical, but it’s actually a bold plan to start in earnest a major renovation of the long-languishing, 80-year-old venue. It’s also a risk. The Grand, set back by lawsuits and stumbles, has finally started generating some buzz â€" and money â€" through rock concerts and other shows. It’s tempting to keep that going while the going’s good. But that’s always been a step toward the larger goal of renovating the theater to its former glory, restoring a central part of Wheaton’s history and giving the city the high-class performing arts venue it deserves. It might not work, but, having come this far, it’s time to try.

bleedingchicago
bleedingchicago on March 16, 2006 at 5:49 am

Hey everybody

I am a Michael LeVan. I have lived in the city of Chicago my entire life. I am a filmmaker and a attendee of Columbia College, heading into my final year. I love all the old movie palaces of Chicago. It has been my intent for sometime to Make a documentary on the history, and the ongoings of these historic theaters in the present. The means to make this documentary are finally in my grasp. I planned on featuring 3 theaters, the Copernicus Center(formally The Gateway), The Patio(Formally The Avalon), and The Uptown. While the Documentary will focus on the entire history, These are the three that will be visual examples, and the ones i would like to film in. I have spoken with the People at The Gateway Theater, and they are estatic that i am doing this. The only problem now is The Uptown and the The Patio. These two theaters seem to have ghosts of owners , or even managers. If somebody could help me in finding someone to talk too, i would be very appriciative. Also, this documentary will require interviews, and finding old information as well. If anybody would be kind enough to do either that would be fantastic. My somewhat set date to start filming is June 10 ,2006. My goal with the entire project is to help and benifit these theaters. Help alot more people to gain interest, and all the profit that i attain, if any, will be donated to help with these theaters. I am going to submit it to Wttw(Pbs Chicago) , and also the History Channel. So if anyone would like to help in anyway, they can contact me at my email.

or by phone (773)-656-5821

Well i appriciate if you read that entire thing, and hopefully i will be hearing from you

Michael Levan of Bleeding Chicago Productions