Garde Arts Center

325 State Street,
New London, CT 06320

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robboehm
robboehm on December 18, 2021 at 7:36 am

Exterior (and possibly interior) featured in the 2021 Hallmark Christmas movie the Sugar Plum Twist.

rokcomx
rokcomx on December 15, 2014 at 7:47 am

New article with a fairly detailed history of this theater, along with photos from the late ‘20s thru today – http://gardetheaterhistory.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-grande-olde-garde-history-of-new.html

rokcomx
rokcomx on December 15, 2014 at 12:24 am

The theater plans to once again offer movie screenings on a regular basis, after the recent installation of a newfangled 4K Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) compliant digital projection system with eight channel surround sound, said to rival any similarly outfitted moviehouse in the region (with a screen that, at around 40 feet by 25 feet, is one of the largest non-Imax screens in the state).

The first major engagement planned for the screening is the 2015 Winter Film Festival, which starts up in January.

Will Dunklin
Will Dunklin on June 20, 2012 at 7:00 am

Wurlitzer installed their pipe organ opus 1302 here in 1926, a very modest Style E, 2 manuals 7 ranks in one chamber. The organ was later moved to the Crystal Palace in West Goshen CT.

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on February 3, 2010 at 3:12 pm

Nice looking theatre I like the two verticals very old scholl looking.

CSWalczak
CSWalczak on January 17, 2010 at 12:15 am

This New York Times article mentions the Garde (toward the bottom) – it has been struggling as a performing arts center in the face of competition from newer venues though the news has improved recently: View link

MPol
MPol on February 24, 2009 at 7:04 pm

I second that, SNWEB.ORG.

shoeshoe14
shoeshoe14 on September 14, 2007 at 7:19 pm

Listed in the New Haven Advocate’s Annual Manual. “A bonafide 1930s movie palace restored in the 1990s to its former magnificence and now serving as a multi-media performing arts center, with a Broadway subscription series…not to mention skads of children’s shows and a summertime film series. A major venue in an out-of-the-way seaside city, you never know if a show will be sold out or desolate; just go with the flow.

SpikeSpiegel6262044
SpikeSpiegel6262044 on January 31, 2006 at 5:44 pm

I’ve been past this place a few times, next time, I’m going in to see a show.

kateymac01
kateymac01 on August 8, 2005 at 10:10 am

The marquee reminds me of the one that was on the late, great Coliseum Theatre in Seattle.

ZARDOZ
ZARDOZ on January 1, 2005 at 4:49 pm

I understand that this theater is home to the largest remaining movie theater screen in Connecticut. Prior to the renovation, I saw restored prints of Ben Hur, Lawrence of Arabia, and Bridge on the River Kwai there. These widescreen epics deserve to be seen on the big screen… a REALLY big screen. Unfortunately, the Garde doesn’t run a classic film schedule. Bummer!

qing
qing on November 30, 2004 at 7:44 pm

I watched the director’s cut of Blade Runner there several years back. The sound system is commendable.

Ziggy
Ziggy on September 29, 2004 at 2:29 pm

The website is worth a visit for the photos of the lovely auditorium, which is not atmospheric even though the theatre’s site describes it as such.

JV2k4
JV2k4 on July 6, 2004 at 2:58 am

Does the Garde still do the classic movies during the summer? When I lived in the New London area from 2000-2003, they used to do a summer Classic movies night. The interior of this theatre is absolutely beautiful. Is anything being done to the Capitol?

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca on April 4, 2004 at 5:55 am

I came down from Providence to visit the Garde last night for a performance of the Verdi Requiem by the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, with chorus and soloists. I had never seen the inside of this marvelous theatre, and it is a joy. A north African desert motif inspires the lavish murals and decorations. The balcony lobby area is an especially pleasant space. The theatre is a complete delight, and anyone visiting New London should make a point of checking out this terrific place. Now if the nearby long-dormant Capitol can be reborn!

Roger Katz
Roger Katz on December 14, 2003 at 6:31 pm

That is the new marquee that was put up when the theatre was restored in the last few years. The previous one was the typical triangular marquee.

sdoerr
sdoerr on December 14, 2003 at 5:41 pm

I like the marquee, the roundness of it makes it unique.

William
William on November 19, 2003 at 5:10 pm

The Garde Theatre is located at 325 State Street.