Flynn Center for the Performing Arts

153 Main Street,
Burlington, VT 05401

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Related Websites

Flynn Center for the Perfoming Arts (Official)

Additional Info

Architects: William Luther Mowll, Roger Glade Rand

Firms: Mowll & Rand

Functions: Performing Arts

Styles: Art Deco

Previous Names: Flynn Theatre

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 802.863.5966
Manager: 802.863.5966

Nearby Theaters

Flynn Center for the Performing Arts

The Flynn Theatre was built in 1930 by businessman John J. Flynn. The Flynn Theatre was designed for the live performances of vaudeville and opened November 26, 1930. With the rise of the motion picture industry, the Flynn Theatre shifted and operated successfully as a movie theatre for almost fifty years until its own decline as multiplex movie theatres began to rise and take hold in the 1970’s. It was “rediscovered” by the Lyric Theatre group in 1981.

In the late-1990’s and early-2000 the Flynn Theatre underwent successful capital campaigns that stabilized the theatre, and readied it for upcoming restoration and expansion. Restored to its original Art Deco style interior, the Flynn Center now houses MainStage (the original Flynn Theatre), FlynnSpace (a smaller, intimate performing arts theatre).

Contributed by TC, Ron Newman

Recent comments (view all 19 comments)

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on July 22, 2010 at 6:54 pm

You will enjoy his work.Wish i had the equipment to do something like that,cause I have the Theatre stuff.What Robin and Nick put on is a very small selection.I wrote Nick Twice and haven’t heard a word.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on September 19, 2010 at 10:07 pm

1980 picture.Peter Sellers last movie.That is a keeper. I found out the FLYNN THEATRE was operated by MAINE and NEW HAMPSHIRE THEATRES Company in 1956.

Will Dunklin
Will Dunklin on June 15, 2012 at 8:22 am

I found a reference that the 1925 Wurlitzer organ (opus 1200, Style H sp) originally installed at the Majestic Theatre, Burlington VT was moved to the Flynn. The organ supposedly later moved to an unnamed convent in Burlington. Anyone else have details to add to this story?

cmastersin
cmastersin on January 28, 2013 at 6:32 pm

I know of a complete Wurlitzer 3 manual nine rank organ that is available if the Flynn is interested. The owner is very old and needs to get it moved as soon as possible.He grew old before he could complete his project. It is not assembled and would be a wonderful addition to the theater. It was originally sized for a 900 seat house so the unit could be compatible. the entire history of the unit is available. You must come to Virginia to move it.

rsalters (Ron Salters)
rsalters (Ron Salters) on May 27, 2015 at 2:00 pm

The Theatre Historical Society archive has the MGM Theatre Report for the Flynn; it’s Card # 574. Address is Main St. There is an exterior photo dated April 1941. Condition is Good. It says it was built about 1925 and is showing MGM product. There are 1,150 main floor seats and 312 balcony, total 1,462. The 1940 population of Burlington was 27,600.

HowardBHaas
HowardBHaas on January 7, 2016 at 6:36 pm

ABC TV news tonight showed night lit marquee of what I expect is this theater, as where Trump is going to speak. Never mind the candidate, the marquee lit looked great!

rsalters (Ron Salters)
rsalters (Ron Salters) on January 8, 2016 at 1:32 pm

Yes, Donald Trump had a rally at the Flynn. According to the news, 2,000 people showed up with tickets, although the place only has 1,400-plus seats. In the old show-biz days, printing and distributing more tickets than seats was called “Papering the house”.

Mike (saps)
Mike (saps) on January 8, 2016 at 2:05 pm

The outside looked great, the inside seemed a little bland.

rivest266
rivest266 on August 24, 2016 at 7:11 pm

This opened on November 26th, 1930 as the first theatre in New England built for sound. A couple of grand opening ads in the photo section

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