It sounds strange, but they might not update the web site regularly. This New Year’s celebration was not there. It wouldn’t surprise me if they succeed in spreading the word through other means.
But, to be fair, the theatre could also be foundering.
Yeah, it’s a tough proposition. I believe that it could once again become a community centerpiece. But not without creative vision, organization, money and extraordinary dedication. Hopefully something better than a multiplex plan will come along.
Bryan: you are the man. That’s the building I saw. I also recall that it was on Broadway. My gut says that it was closed at the time, carried “1 & 2” on the marquee and had a different name.
I was in Baraboo back in the 80’s. There was a second vintage movie theatre building near the Ringling. It didn’t look nearly as ornamental. This is the web site’s only Baraboo entry. Maybe the great Wisconsin authority Jim Rankin has some idea of what this place was?
It looks like a nice house, judging by those interior pictures above. But it is nothing special. Hopefully the auditorium can be used again. But it wouldn’t be the end of the world if it was tastefully reused for another purpose.
Wow! I had no idea something like this was going on up in Racine. The official web site is not working, however. Anybody know what is happening these days?
I’ve seen recent pictures of the building. I think calling it a blight and an embarrassment is going too far. I understand that the interior is in poor condition. From the outside it simply looks like a shuttered theatre. In fact, this thing they want to build seems like more of a blight to me. Robert is right. Why save three lobby walls. It’s an insult to the preservation community and the Keith’s Theatre.
Brian: Mason began working in 1929. He did contribute to the Gateway project. But it would be more accurate to state that he was being groomed for the future at that time.
The description at top says that the Loews State was gutted in the 90’s. I was under the impression that the theatre and adjoining office building were completely demolished and replaced by new development. Does some part of the old building still exist?
I am glad the building still stands. But the auditorium looks awful painted and lighted the way it is in the photos on the Symphony’s web site. Lobby and exterior look OK.
Here’s an interesting message from a friend of mine who lives in Portage Park. Dennis worked at the Copernicus Gateway some years ago. Don’t know what he’s up to now, or if this project has anything to do with the Copernicus Center.
>My neighborhood paper’s got a front-page article
>saying major renovation work is currently under way at
>the Portage Theater, and that they hope to be open by
>the end of the year or not long thereafter. The
>article includes a photo of the auditorium, but I
>can’t tell if it’s current or an old stock photo.
>
>The guy they mention as the manager is Dennis
>Wolkowicz. Know anything about him?
From a friend who lives in Portage Park. Dennis worked at the Copernicus Gateway years ago. Don’t know what he’s up to now:
My neighborhood paper’s got a front-page article
>saying major renovation work is currently under way at
>the Portage Theater, and that they hope to be open by
>the end of the year or not long thereafter. The
>article includes a photo of the auditorium, but I
>can’t tell if it’s current or an old stock photo.
>
>The guy they mention as the manager is Dennis
>Wolkowicz. Know anything about him?
Based on everything I have seen, this theatre (any theatre) would be better off without Paul. I, and many others, think that Paul is a dangerous presence in American preservation. I think the comments above describe my reasoning well enough. I haven’t been hurt by Paul personally. But others have been. I fear that your desperation with regard to the Varsity may be clouding your logic. Paul is a good salesman. So he will probably have some confidence-inspiring comeback to post. But this is the last I will say on the subject here. The moderators of this web site have made their wishes clear. And actually, I think my point has been made. Good luck.
I’m sorry you feel that way melders. I wish you the best in any dealings with Paul Warshauer. Don’t come back later and say you were not given warning.
SNWEB: you have balls for going into this building and taking pictures. I think you could have been killed…by crack heads if not the falling plaster.
It sounds strange, but they might not update the web site regularly. This New Year’s celebration was not there. It wouldn’t surprise me if they succeed in spreading the word through other means.
But, to be fair, the theatre could also be foundering.
Yeah, it’s a tough proposition. I believe that it could once again become a community centerpiece. But not without creative vision, organization, money and extraordinary dedication. Hopefully something better than a multiplex plan will come along.
Watch the Bronx Paradise.
Bryan: you are the man. That’s the building I saw. I also recall that it was on Broadway. My gut says that it was closed at the time, carried “1 & 2” on the marquee and had a different name.
I was in Baraboo back in the 80’s. There was a second vintage movie theatre building near the Ringling. It didn’t look nearly as ornamental. This is the web site’s only Baraboo entry. Maybe the great Wisconsin authority Jim Rankin has some idea of what this place was?
It looks like a nice house, judging by those interior pictures above. But it is nothing special. Hopefully the auditorium can be used again. But it wouldn’t be the end of the world if it was tastefully reused for another purpose.
Wow: this place rules.
Wow! I had no idea something like this was going on up in Racine. The official web site is not working, however. Anybody know what is happening these days?
I thought they saved the building’s exterior when it was demolished. Not the case?
Great theatre. Any plans to restore the marquee?
I’ve seen recent pictures of the building. I think calling it a blight and an embarrassment is going too far. I understand that the interior is in poor condition. From the outside it simply looks like a shuttered theatre. In fact, this thing they want to build seems like more of a blight to me. Robert is right. Why save three lobby walls. It’s an insult to the preservation community and the Keith’s Theatre.
The K-Mart went into the space that was once the Plaza Theatre. The Zayre was further to the south. Not sure what has been demolished at this point.
They’ve torn a temporary door in the building’s side. Anybody know what is happening?
Why did they leave one of the smaller rooms intact?
Brian: Mason began working in 1929. He did contribute to the Gateway project. But it would be more accurate to state that he was being groomed for the future at that time.
This theatre has a very cool story.
The description at top says that the Loews State was gutted in the 90’s. I was under the impression that the theatre and adjoining office building were completely demolished and replaced by new development. Does some part of the old building still exist?
I am glad the building still stands. But the auditorium looks awful painted and lighted the way it is in the photos on the Symphony’s web site. Lobby and exterior look OK.
What exactly is the new configuration?
Here’s an interesting message from a friend of mine who lives in Portage Park. Dennis worked at the Copernicus Gateway some years ago. Don’t know what he’s up to now, or if this project has anything to do with the Copernicus Center.
>My neighborhood paper’s got a front-page article
>saying major renovation work is currently under way at
>the Portage Theater, and that they hope to be open by
>the end of the year or not long thereafter. The
>article includes a photo of the auditorium, but I
>can’t tell if it’s current or an old stock photo.
>
>The guy they mention as the manager is Dennis
>Wolkowicz. Know anything about him?
From a friend who lives in Portage Park. Dennis worked at the Copernicus Gateway years ago. Don’t know what he’s up to now:
My neighborhood paper’s got a front-page article
>saying major renovation work is currently under way at
>the Portage Theater, and that they hope to be open by
>the end of the year or not long thereafter. The
>article includes a photo of the auditorium, but I
>can’t tell if it’s current or an old stock photo.
>
>The guy they mention as the manager is Dennis
>Wolkowicz. Know anything about him?
For the benefit of those of us who aren’t in the loop: what has transpired?
melders:
Based on everything I have seen, this theatre (any theatre) would be better off without Paul. I, and many others, think that Paul is a dangerous presence in American preservation. I think the comments above describe my reasoning well enough. I haven’t been hurt by Paul personally. But others have been. I fear that your desperation with regard to the Varsity may be clouding your logic. Paul is a good salesman. So he will probably have some confidence-inspiring comeback to post. But this is the last I will say on the subject here. The moderators of this web site have made their wishes clear. And actually, I think my point has been made. Good luck.
I’m sorry you feel that way melders. I wish you the best in any dealings with Paul Warshauer. Don’t come back later and say you were not given warning.
I don’t believe that Patrick Crowley is necessarily supporting your cause Paul.
Anyone who calls this man has been given fair warning.