Bergen Performing Arts Center

30 N. Van Brunt Street,
Englewood, NJ 07631

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SteveD
SteveD on July 2, 2015 at 1:00 pm

Not to forget an often (and often willfully) overlooked period in the Plaza’s history: as a youngster the Plaza was THE place to go for essential trash cinema of the day. I can recall with fondness seeing Larry Cohen’s IT’S ALIVE there when it was playing its initial run in the early 1970’s, dragging my grandmother with me there to see GODZILLA VS. MEGALON (she hated it, no taste), the American – International releases of many of the Hammer horror films played there, and I am still in proud possession of the vomit – bag that was given out with admission to the Hallmark release of the infamous MARK OF THE DEVIL to which my pals and I were gladly admitted despite being waaaaaaaay underage for such mayhem. The Plaza was like a direct outlet from the pages of Famous Monsters of Filmland to the screen in those days, along with being MUCH safer than having to go to 42nd st in NYC. Heck, it was walking distance!

Many years later I took in a wonderful Lyle Lovett show there when I believe it was still the John Harms Center for the Arts, and it truly boggled my mind to walk through that lobby once again. I haven’t been back to Englewood since.

teecee
teecee on March 2, 2006 at 4:02 am

Listed as part of Skouras Theatres Corp. in the 1961 Film Daily Yearbook.

teecee
teecee on March 2, 2006 at 3:10 am

Listed as a UA Theater in the 1970 Film Daily Yearbook.

MikeysPaw
MikeysPaw on January 26, 2006 at 8:09 am

In the late 70’s there used to be a small theatre in the loft upstairs from the main concert hall. We saw some terrific stage plays there. I remember specifically seeing The Threepenny Opera there and was amazed at the quality of the production. Does anyone remember this ? And what happened to that Company ? Thanks for this site .

chconnol
chconnol on December 31, 2004 at 5:16 am

Nice to see this on here. My wife and I went to see comedienne Rita Rudner here in the late 90’s. Though the renovations were still being done, the place looked fantastic. We read about the Center’s financial problems and hoped that something could be done to keep this splendid place open and free of the wrecking ball. Glad to see it’s still up and running.