sam_e: Good to see a post from you and especially about one of my favorite theatres, the Shea’s in Buffalo NY! BTW, I’ll be seeing Lucie Arnaz at Kleinhans Music Hall on April 19th! I’ve seen her in concert before and she is a wonderful entertainer and singer, but I’ve never seen KMH so that will be a treat, too!
“How many times does a city get the opportunity to restore and use an Eberson Art Deco Outerspace Atmospheric theater?! There aren’t going to be too many more bites at the apple for the Auburn Schine Theater.”
WDG: The Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation is selling the first in a series of Christmas ornaments and I have suggested to the WMHF chairman that next year’s ornament feature the Grand Theatre. They need a photo (doesn’t have to be an original) to give the artist. If you can help in this matter, please post here or email me at
I just went back and viewed the interior and exterior photos…such a shame that this art deco theatre was demolished! And can anyone give the history of how this theatre came to be demolished?
I know folks from this town and will forward to them this vintage photo. After comparing photos this theatre does not appear to have been changed that much!
Warner Lady: Also how is the Warner Theatre book that was to be published coming along? Recently I ordered a book by Arcadia Publishing about the theatres of Cleveland OH in Playhouse Square.
Warner Lady: So nice to hear from you! Go to the Erie Playhouse link and you’ll see the b/w sketch of the former Strand and the exterior looked in the mid 60’s. It was posted on Jan 14, 2008 by “ken mc”.
“In the early 1920s, five opulent theatersâ€"the Allen, the Ohio, the State, the Palace, and the Hannaâ€"opened on a stretch of Euclid Avenue in Cleveland. They offered legitimate theater, vaudeville, name bands and entertainers, and films for the affluent and hardworking citizens of this booming industrial city. Unfortunately, the introduction of television and the flight to the suburbs in the 1950s and 1960s turned the theaters into ghost palaces destined for the wrecking ball. In 1970, a bold group of planners led by Raymond K. Shepardson formed the Playhouse Square Association, a nonprofit group dedicated to saving the theaters. A 25-year restoration endeavor emerged that raised $53 million, culminating in the largest theater restoration project in the world. Today Playhouse Square Center ranks second only to New York’s Lincoln Center as North America’s largest performing arts complex.”
Irv: Congratulations! I only wish I were going to be in WG then! I do have a friend who lives in the Winter Garden area in the winter months so I will certainly inform her of this upcoming and exciting Feb. 1 grand opening event! And if you have any photos you would still like to send to me the address is still
ken mc: I just visited the THSA site and under PA they only had the Warner Theatre listed for Erie so how was the b/w sketch of the former Strand found on THSA?
JohnMessick: Well, that’s one way of putting though they certainly messed it up to say the least! Why was the name Strand not left in place along with the beautiful doors and the glass enclosures for the movie posters? And to change the seating from 980 to 433 certainly made the seating capacity less by many seats. I was in that theatre about 15 years ago and can’t recall if there was a balcony. Does anyone have memories of what it the interior looked like back then? I think the Playhouse is strictly used for live performances and not a movie theatre anymore.
sam_e: Good to see a post from you and especially about one of my favorite theatres, the Shea’s in Buffalo NY! BTW, I’ll be seeing Lucie Arnaz at Kleinhans Music Hall on April 19th! I’ve seen her in concert before and she is a wonderful entertainer and singer, but I’ve never seen KMH so that will be a treat, too!
ken mc: Great photo and a great theatre!
Thanks…found it!
Any photos?
“How many times does a city get the opportunity to restore and use an Eberson Art Deco Outerspace Atmospheric theater?! There aren’t going to be too many more bites at the apple for the Auburn Schine Theater.”
SchineHistoran: Thanks for posting this recent article! I sent my email to Mr. Rapp!
Richard G: And if you can be of any help, please email me!
WDG: The Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation is selling the first in a series of Christmas ornaments and I have suggested to the WMHF chairman that next year’s ornament feature the Grand Theatre. They need a photo (doesn’t have to be an original) to give the artist. If you can help in this matter, please post here or email me at
I just went back and viewed the interior and exterior photos…such a shame that this art deco theatre was demolished! And can anyone give the history of how this theatre came to be demolished?
Interesting “before restoration” b/w photo!
I just found out about this former west side of Cleveland theatre in the Patricia Mote book entitled Cleveland’s Playhouse Square.
I’ve toured this Eberson atmospheric theatre! Very nice!
Yes, very good news that this theatre is very much alive and well! Wish they all could say this!
I know folks from this town and will forward to them this vintage photo. After comparing photos this theatre does not appear to have been changed that much!
ken mc: Sure love viewing these vintage photos and especially this one showing the lighted marquee with feature film! Thanks.
After visiting downtown Knoxville over the holiday season I noticed the “regal” Regal next to Tennessee Theatre.
Irv and Workers: Congratulations on a well done job and to a very successful and fun gala opening night! Curtain Up!
Warner Lady: Also how is the Warner Theatre book that was to be published coming along? Recently I ordered a book by Arcadia Publishing about the theatres of Cleveland OH in Playhouse Square.
View link
Warner Lady: So nice to hear from you! Go to the Erie Playhouse link and you’ll see the b/w sketch of the former Strand and the exterior looked in the mid 60’s. It was posted on Jan 14, 2008 by “ken mc”.
Book Description:
“In the early 1920s, five opulent theatersâ€"the Allen, the Ohio, the State, the Palace, and the Hannaâ€"opened on a stretch of Euclid Avenue in Cleveland. They offered legitimate theater, vaudeville, name bands and entertainers, and films for the affluent and hardworking citizens of this booming industrial city. Unfortunately, the introduction of television and the flight to the suburbs in the 1950s and 1960s turned the theaters into ghost palaces destined for the wrecking ball. In 1970, a bold group of planners led by Raymond K. Shepardson formed the Playhouse Square Association, a nonprofit group dedicated to saving the theaters. A 25-year restoration endeavor emerged that raised $53 million, culminating in the largest theater restoration project in the world. Today Playhouse Square Center ranks second only to New York’s Lincoln Center as North America’s largest performing arts complex.”
dave-bronx: I have ordered the Patricia Mote book and can’t wait to receive it in the mail!
Lost Memory: Thanks for helping the “lost” find their way again! You are a theatre gem!
Irv: Congratulations! I only wish I were going to be in WG then! I do have a friend who lives in the Winter Garden area in the winter months so I will certainly inform her of this upcoming and exciting Feb. 1 grand opening event! And if you have any photos you would still like to send to me the address is still
ken mc: I just visited the THSA site and under PA they only had the Warner Theatre listed for Erie so how was the b/w sketch of the former Strand found on THSA?
JohnMessick: Well, that’s one way of putting though they certainly messed it up to say the least! Why was the name Strand not left in place along with the beautiful doors and the glass enclosures for the movie posters? And to change the seating from 980 to 433 certainly made the seating capacity less by many seats. I was in that theatre about 15 years ago and can’t recall if there was a balcony. Does anyone have memories of what it the interior looked like back then? I think the Playhouse is strictly used for live performances and not a movie theatre anymore.