Growing up in Akron, Ohio, I remember sitting in the first row of the Loew’s Theatre watching Godzilla movies with my cousin, and later in the 1960’s seeing touring rock bands like the Cream, and even going backstage to see Ginger Baker packing up his drums for the next gig (though I was secretly more interested in seeing the backstage area and dressing rooms.) My grandparents and my mother spent many hours at Loew’s theatre in the 1930’s and 1940’s, watching double features and listening to the organist between shows. That’s three generations influenced by the entertainment and events at this remarkable architectural gem.
But there were other fantastic theatres in downtown Akron that I never hear about. The Colonial Theatre in particular was a magnificent jewel box of a theatre with, if I remember correctly, three rather steep and shallow baconies. I saw movies at the Colonial in the late 1950’s, maybe as late as 1960, just before it closed. The balconies were always roped off with a “balcony closed” sign, which I ignored, sneaking up to get a look when the usher or ticket takers wern’t looking.
Any information, or photos, of the Colonial theatre in downtown Akron would be greatly appreciated.
Mark Wagner
Norwalk, CT
Growing up in Akron, Ohio, I remember sitting in the first row of the Loew’s Theatre watching Godzilla movies with my cousin, and later in the 1960’s seeing touring rock bands like the Cream, and even going backstage to see Ginger Baker packing up his drums for the next gig (though I was secretly more interested in seeing the backstage area and dressing rooms.) My grandparents and my mother spent many hours at Loew’s theatre in the 1930’s and 1940’s, watching double features and listening to the organist between shows. That’s three generations influenced by the entertainment and events at this remarkable architectural gem.
But there were other fantastic theatres in downtown Akron that I never hear about. The Colonial Theatre in particular was a magnificent jewel box of a theatre with, if I remember correctly, three rather steep and shallow baconies. I saw movies at the Colonial in the late 1950’s, maybe as late as 1960, just before it closed. The balconies were always roped off with a “balcony closed” sign, which I ignored, sneaking up to get a look when the usher or ticket takers wern’t looking.
Any information, or photos, of the Colonial theatre in downtown Akron would be greatly appreciated.
Mark Wagner
Norwalk, CT