Crescent Theater

223 N. Liberty Street,
New Castle, PA 16102

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Additional Info

Styles: Art Deco

Previous Names: Mahoning Photoplay Theater

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Crescent Theater

According to Anita Devivo in "New Castle and Mahoningtown" it opened in 1915 as the Mahoning Photoplay Theater. It stood at the corner of North Liberty Street and West Madison Avenue.

The name was changed to Crescent Theater in the 1920’s. After a fire in spring of 1940, it was remodeled in August 1940 to the plans of designer Michael Miller, and was given a Streamline Moderne style makeover. All seating was on a single floor. It stopped showing movies in 1959.

The New Castle Playhouse moved in from 1960 until the late-1960’s. Finally demolished in 1975.

Contributed by orangebug

Recent comments (view all 7 comments)

BILL EVANS
BILL EVANS on August 28, 2009 at 10:06 am

There are two pictures, and other information about the theater at
books.google.com/books?isbn0738544728

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on August 28, 2009 at 1:18 pm

There was an advertisement for a grand reopening in August 1940 in a local paper. Feature was “Rebecca”.

Jack Oberleitner
Jack Oberleitner on August 8, 2010 at 8:26 pm

The Cresent was a very well built, progessionally operated neighborhood theatre. A classic feature was the illuminated glass block wall that separated the auditorium from the tiny lobby. It was well maintained until it’s closing as a movie theatre in 1959. The New Castle Playhouse thrived for several years at this location.

Richardkalata
Richardkalata on August 29, 2011 at 9:26 am

The Crescent Theater was locally owned. For a short period of time, prior to closing for good, the theater was run by Norm Freeborn and Johnny Brogan, union projectionists from the State Theater.In addition, they ran the State Theater when long time owner Morris Markley called it quits.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on January 28, 2012 at 2:04 pm

Good old Union Projectionists a dying breed,sadly.

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