Crystal Theatre

tyman2006 on August 26, 2004 at 11:38 pm

This theatre, located in Crystal Falls, MI is now named Crystal Theatre and is a live performing facility. Originally built in 1927, it was built to replace the opera house, name Gem Theatre, that was down the street. Gem theatre burned several years earlier. It was built as a live performing center with movie capabilities. It housed 1 screen, a decent sized stage, an orchestra pit, two Simplex E-7 movie projectors (which are still located in the projection booth) and a Wurlitzer 2/7 organ. With the demand of movies rising, the theatre was converted into a full time movie house in the late 1920’s. With the invention of movies with sound, the Wurlitzer organ was sold by the city. The theatre continued to show movies until about the 1980’s. The theatre changed names several times, first it was the Ejay Theatre, (the original seats in the belcony still say EJ on the sides of them), then the Delft theatre, then the Aldo theatre, which closed its doors in the 1980’s. In 1992, a group of dedicated volunteers came in and renovated/restored the theatre into a live performing facitily seating about 600 people. Crystal Theatre is a 401 C non profit organization which is goverened by an 8 memeber board of directors serving this community and surrounding communities. The theatre has hosted a variety of events, including The National Shakespear Company, the Michigan Chamber Brass, and also is the home to the Forest Park High School Drama Club. Today, since the original Wurlitzer organ was sold, a Moeller 3/21 theatre pipe organ was bought and restored and is the focal point of the theatre. This theatre features a wide varitey of theatre organists including Dave Wickerham. This theatre still keeps its original integrety with art deco wall murals which are orignal to the theatre.

adm22 on January 12, 2011 at 2:00 am

My grandfather the late Walter Krajewski was instrumental in renovating the theatre and the city council passed a resulution honouring him for his work on the theatre after he died.

RESOLUTION of RECOGNITION of WALTER KRAJEWSKI

Whereas
, the Council for the City of Crystal Falls is deeply saddened by the passing of Walter Krajewski, a model citizen of the Crystal Falls community, and

Whereas
, the Council for the City of Crystal Falls is deeply saddened by the passing of Walter Krajewski, a model citizen of the Crystal Falls community, and

Whereas
, The Council for the City of Crystal Falls wishes to recognize the late Walter Krajewski for his 5,000 plus volunteered hours, leadership, and commitment to the procurement and refurbishment of the Crystal Theatre, and

Whereas,
Walter was instrumental in the procurement, restoration and installation of the mighty Moeller Theater Organ, a significant contribution to the overall success of the Crystal Theatres completion and popularity, and

Whereas
, due to Walters talents and efforts the Crystal Theatre has realized a “Breath of New Life” and become the cultural center of downtown Crystal Falls for enjoyment by young and old alike,

Now Therefore Be it Resolved
, that the Council for the City of Crystal Falls hereby honors the memory of the life of this visionary, Walter Krajewski, truly a shining example of this citys slogan, “City of Community Pride”, and

Further Be It Resolved
, that this Council expressly thanks Walters family for sharing him, allowing his talents and efforts at the Crystal Theatre to have so positively impacted citizens of all ages, making Crystal Falls an even better place to live.

Whereas
, The Council for the City of Crystal Falls wishes to recognize the late Walter Krajewski for his 5,000 plus volunteered hours, leadership, and commitment to the procurement and refurbishment of the Crystal Theatre, and

Whereas,
Walter was instrumental in the procurement, restoration and installation of the mighty Moeller Theater Organ, a significant contribution to the overall success of the Crystal Theatres completion and popularity, and

Whereas
, due to Walters talents and efforts the Crystal Theatre has realized a “Breath of New Life” and become the cultural center of downtown Crystal Falls for enjoyment by young and old alike,

Now Therefore Be it Resolved
, that the Council for the City of Crystal Falls hereby honors the memory of the life of this visionary, Walter Krajewski, truly a shining example of this citys slogan, “City of Community Pride”, and

Further Be It Resolved
, that this Council expressly thanks Walters family for sharing him, allowing his talents and efforts at the Crystal Theatre to have so positively impacted citizens of all ages, making Crystal Falls an even better place to live.