Princess Theatre

213 W. Walnut Street,
Watseka, IL 60970

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Additional Info

Previous Names: Star Theatre, Little Theatre, Bon-Air Theatre

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Princess Theatre

The Star Theatre opened as a vaudeville & picture theatre in 1910. In 1915 the seating capacity was enlarged to 400-seats. It was equipped with a pipe organ in 1917. It was closed in summer of 1931. It reopened as the Little Theatre 1934. It was destroyed by fire on September 10, 1936, just minutes after the matinee performance had begun.

A new theatre was built on the site, which opened in April 1941 as the Bon-Air Theatre. It was closed in 1960. It reopened in 1980 but closed again in 1985. It reopened in 1994 as a theatre for stand-up comedy and in 1995 it was renamed Princess Theatre. It was closed in 2012.

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

Recent comments (view all 3 comments)

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois on April 26, 2006 at 6:08 am

From the Kankakee, Illinois Daily Journal, April 24, 2006. The theatre closed in January 2006 and opened April 21 2006, under a new name and new ownership (renting). It’s now called the REEL TO REAL I (II will open soon in the PRINCESS II at 103 W. Oak St.). First-run family-oriented films will be shown. 815.432.4461

onargatheater
onargatheater on July 27, 2012 at 7:25 am

This theater is closed now.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on January 12, 2015 at 10:40 am

The opening of the Bon-Air Theatre was noted in the April 11, 1941, issue of The Film Daily:

“Watseka, Ill.— The A. B. McCullom circuit is opening the new Bon Air Theater here, seating 400. This will give the circuit two local houses, the other being the Watseka.”

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