abandoned theater

The Capitol Theatre – Davenport, Iowa

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This was originally posted on After the Final Curtain’s Patreon in April 2023. For expanded early posts, as well as video walkthroughs and other exclusive content, you can become a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/afterthefinalcurtain

View of the auditorium from the balcony.

Located within the historic 10-story Kahl building in Davenport, Iowa, the Capitol Theatre has been a cultural cornerstone since its completion in early October 1920. Constructed by Henry C. Kahl, the building not only housed office spaces and retail outlets but also a 2,500 seat theater designed by renowned architects Rapp & Rapp, famous for their work on iconic venues such as the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, NY, and the Uptown Theatre in Chicago, IL.

The theater’s main entrance and stairway.

The Capitol, which cost $680,000 at the time (equivalent to $10.6 million today), opened its doors on December 25, 1920, with the screening of the silent film “The Man Who Lost Himself” starring William Faversham and Hedda Hopper. The inaugural event was accompanied by a performance on the impressive M.P. Moller Opus 2939 pipe organ, a $60,000 instrument that required five freight cars for transportation to the theater.

View of the auditorium ceiling from the stage.

The orchestra level of the auditorium featured alcoves housing a grand piano and a harp. The theater’s aesthetic was further enhanced by paintings adorning the lobby, foyer, and balcony. Under the management of Paramount Pictures Inc. subsidiary A.H. Blank by 1941, the Capitol Theatre became a hub for both vaudeville performances and movies. Notably, it hosted the legendary Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper, and Dion & the Belmonts on January 29, 1959, just days before the plane crash on February 3, 1959, that took the lives of Holly, Valens and The Big Bopper, forever immortalized as “The Day the Music Died.”

Statler and Waldorf, two muppets, were placed in a box seat and left behind after the theater closed.

In subsequent years, the theater underwent several transformations, from showcasing Spanish language films in the early 1970s to screening adult XXX movies in the late 1970s. It was repurposed as a Christian Center in the 1980s and a concert hall for various genres in the 1990s, it eventually became a hub for local productions of ballet, community theater, and college performances.

In 2010, the Capitol Theatre closed its doors. In 2020, a $25 million renovation project commenced, transforming the building into the JNB Capitol Building of Bettendorf. The theater reopened on September 23, 2023 with a concert by the American post-hardcore band Dayseeker. The renovation recreated some features that had been lost and preserved marble floors and artwork. Alongside the theater, the 10-story building now boasts 65 apartments. Free tours of the theater are offered daily at 3 PM, 4 PM, and 5 PM.

Modjeska Theatre – Milwaukee, WI

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This was originally posted on After the Final Curtain’s Patreon in December 2023. For expanded early posts, as well as video walkthroughs and other exclusive content, you can become a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/afterthefinalcurtain

Modjeska Theatre auditorium as seen from the balcony.

View of the auditorium from the balcony.

The original Modjeska Theatre in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, opened its doors in 1910. It was named in honor of Madame Helena Modjeska, a celebrated stage actress who had passed away in 1909. In 1920, Saxe Theatres, a Wisconsin theater chain founded by John and Thomas Saxe, purchased the theater. They ran it for a few years before demolishing it to make way for a neighborhood movie palace.

View of the auditorium from the stage.

Saxe enlisted the renowned architectural firm Rapp & Rapp, known for their work on theaters such as the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, NY, the Uptown Theatre in Chicago, IL, and the Loew’s Jersey in Jersey City, NJ, to design a new 2,500-seat neighborhood movie palace. The new Modjeska Theatre, opened on August 2, 1924, was more modestly designed compared to other Rapp & Rapp theaters, but still featured a full stage-house suitable for vaudeville performances. It also featured a Golden Voiced Barton Theater Pipe Organ, 3/10. 

The Lobby of the theater.

The theater underwent various changes over the years, including the removal of the organ and pipes in the 1950s. The organ chambers were repurposed to install air conditioning units. It continued showing films until 1989. In 1991, the building was purchased by Stewart Johnson, and transformed into a live venue. 

The seats on the lower level were removed in preperation for a restoration that never happened.

During this time, many famous acts performed at theater including; David Byrne, Alice in Chains, Gregg Allman, Rob Zombie, and They Might Be Giants. In 1993, Johnson received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Milwaukee Historic Preservation Commission for his efforts in revitalizing and preserving the theater.

Projection Booth - Modjeska Theatre Milwaukee, WI

The projection booth still has some equipment in it.

In December 2006, the Johnsons sold the theater for $450,000 to Modjeska Theater Project, a partnership between a nonprofit youth theater company and Mitchell Street DOC. However, the youth theater company folded in April 2010, leaving Mitchell Street DOC with the building.

 

The theater closed its doors in May 2010, but renovations began in 2014, with an expected completion date of March 2016. Unfortunately, those plans fell through, and the theater remained dormant until June 2023 when new plans were announced to convert it into the Modjeska Arena and Gaming Institute.

Fire Curtain - Modjeska Theatre Milwaukee, WI

A close up of the fire curtain.

Real estate investor Justin Smith reached a preliminary agreement to purchase the property, envisioning a world-class esports arena as the main attraction, along with hosting local events. The proposed esports arena aims to be a strong anchor for the Mitchell Street Business Improvement District’s western end. Smith, a first-time developer, is working to secure investors and financing for the project, with hopes of completing the purchase by October 2023. 

View of the auditorium from the rear of the balcony.

Spring and Summer Photo Workshops 2024

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Fox West Theatre in Trinidad, Colorado

I’m excited to finally announce the first round of Photography Workshops for 2024. As I’ve said elsewhere – this will be my last year doing workshops in their current form.

 

Strand Theatre – Clinton, MA

Strand Theatre

Location: Clinton, MA

Date: April 27, 2024

The Theatre: The Strand Theatre opened in 1924, in Clinton, Massachusetts. It closed in 2021 after years as a dinner theater.

Cost: $80.00

Tickets: https://www.mlambrosphotography.com/workshops/strand-theatre-workshop-clinton

Olympia Theatre Worcester, MA

Olympia (Art) Theatre

Location: Worcester, MA

Date/Time:
May 11, 2024

The Theatre: The Art Theatre opened in 1891 as Lothrop’s Opera House and is the oldest surviving theater in Worcester, MA. It went through a number of names including; The Olympia Theater, Lynch’s Pleasant Theater, Fine Arts Theater, and finally the New Art Cinema. It closed in 2006.

Cost: $80.00

Tickets: https://www.mlambrosphotography.com/workshops/arttheatreworkshop2024

Fox West Theatre

Location: Trinidad, Colorado

Date: June 22, 2024

The Theatre: The Fox Theatre in Trinidad, Colorado made its grand debut on March 16, 1908, showcasing the stage play “The Bondman.” Over the years, it served as a versatile venue for a variety of performances including stage shows, vaudeville acts, opera, and silent films. It closed in 2013, making it one of the longest running single screen theaters in the country.

Cost: $160.00

Tickets: https://www.mlambrosphotography.com/workshops/foxwestworkshop1021

Opera House, Hotel and Tunnels Workshop

Location: Trinidad, Colorado

Date/Time: June 23, 2024

The Opera House:
In 1882, Trinidad’s inaugural opera house emerged amidst much celebration courtesy of the Jaffa brothers—Sam, Sol, and Henry. For twenty-four years, it resonated with the melodies of plays, brass bands, and the rhetoric of public speakers before its curtains closed in 1906. Responding to the town’s pragmatic ethos, the auditorium morphed into an office block and an extension of the neighboring Wight Hotel.

Resilience characterized its trajectory as the edifice endured a 5.3-magnitude earthquake in 2011, sustaining significant damage. Despite expert voices advocating for its demise, the community united in a bid to salvage and restore their historic gem.

We will also have access to an old hotel building downtown as well as some tunnels that run underneath the city.

Cost: $120.00

Tickets: https://www.mlambrosphotography.com/workshops/trinidadoperahouse

Strand Theatre

Location: Boston, MA

Date/Time: June 30, 2024

The Theatre: The Strand Theatre opened on November 11, 1918, in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. It was designed by Boston architectural firm Funk and Wilcox, who also designed the nearby Franklin Park Theatre. It is currently used for live events.

Cost: $75.00

Tickets: https://www.mlambrosphotography.com/workshops/strand-theatre-workshop-boston-ma826

As always – I have some other workshops planned for later this year. If there are any you’d like me to revisit or suggested locations – let me know!

The Boulevard Theatre – Queens, NY

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This was originally posted on After the Final Curtain’s Patreon in July 2023. For expanded early posts, as well as video walkthroughs and other exclusive content, you can become a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/afterthefinalcurtain

View of the auditorium from the balcony.

Located in the Jackson Heights neighborhood of Queens, NY, the Boulevard Theatre has a rich history that spans nearly a century. It first opened its doors on September 10, 1926, as one of three theaters built in Queens by the Grob & Knobel circuit with Herbert J. Krapp as architect. The other two were the Jackson Theatre and the Sunnyside Theatre.  It was the only one of the three that had large enough stage facilities to handle a musical or Broadway style play.

View of the auditorium from the stage during demolition.

The theater, with 1,839 seats, was designed to showcase shows that had recently closed on Broadway or were on trial before their official run. This made it a popular place for theater enthusiasts. In 1928, William Fox acquired the Grob & Knobel theaters, and Louis Werba managed the Boulevard Theatre. But due to the Depression, both Fox and Werba faced bankruptcy. As a result, the Boulevard Theatre became a double-feature movie house under Fox’s successor, Skouras Theatres. Skouras also took control of the Jackson Theatre and Sunnyside Theatre, which were later sold to Century Theatres.

After years as a live theater venue, the Boulevard switched formats and became a movie theater. In the 1960s, it was a first run movie theater.  A special screening of “Yours, Mine and Ours” starring Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda was shown at the theater in 1968 before its wide release.

Triplexed in the 1970s, the Boulevard Theatre encountered difficulties because it was located in a residential area on Northern Boulevard, far from the 82nd Street shopping district around Roosevelt Avenue. This, combined with a decline in the neighborhood, led to the theater closing in the 1980s and its owner planned on demolishing it. However, this did not happen partially because of the community’s disapproval of his plan.

Eventually, the Boulevard Theatre was sold and transformed into the successful Natives Restaurant-Theatre, catering to Queens’ Hispanic community. The entrance was converted into a restaurant-bar, and the three auditoriums were used for various events. However, by 2016, it had turned into a restaurant/nightclub, which closed during the Covid-19 Pandemic. In early 2021, it was demolished, putting an end to its rich and storied history.

The remains of one of the stairways leading to the balcony.

RKO Madison Theatre – Queens, NY

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This was originally posted on After the Final Curtain’s Patreon in May 2023. For expanded early posts, as well as video walkthroughs and other exclusive content, you can become a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/afterthefinalcurtain

View from the balcony of the RKO Madison Theatre.

It’s not uncommon to see buildings in New York City with a mismatched facade, especially in neighborhoods where space is at a premium. But if you’re like me, and you’re interested in the history of the city, you might wonder what that building used to be. And in the case of this particular building, it has quite a history. The building at the corner of Myrtle and Wykoff Avenue used to be the RKO Madison Theatre, which opened on November 24, 1927.

The Madison Theatre, as it was originally known, is situated on the border of Brooklyn and Queens, was constructed by B.S. Moss, a subsidiary of Keith-Albee. Moss’s original plan was to name the theater Beacon, but he was eventually persuaded to change the name to Madison, as a tribute to James Madison, the fourth President of the United States, and Madison Street, which was situated nearby. The architect in charge of the design was Eugene DeRosa, who had previously worked on the Colony Theatre in Manhattan. DeRosa employed an Italian Renaissance style, with a classical Greek facade made of white marble. The theater’s slogan around the time of its opening was “Bringing Broadway to Brooklyn.”

A close up of the theater’s dome.

It boasted a seating capacity of 2,760, which was significantly larger than Moss’ earlier venture, the Colony. The Grand Foyer spanned two stories and was accentuated with a vaulted ceiling that sported crystal chandeliers. The walls of the foyer were crafted from colored marble, with bronze borders that added a touch of class. A white marble staircase led patrons to the mezzanine promenade, which featured a lounge area and restrooms. The auditorium was large and included a balcony with a loge section at the front. Its ceiling, from the center of the dome, featured a three-tiered crystal chandelier, and the colored lights within the dome’s cove allowed for an ever-changing ambiance. The orchestra pit was situated at the front of the stage and had three separate elevators, one each for the orchestra, piano, and Wurlitzer organ, which was an unprecedented luxury for a neighborhood theatre. Much of the Madison’s grandeur was due to Moss’ intention to outdo the competition of the nearby Fox Ridgewood, which had been the area’s dominant theatre since 1913.

Much of the theater’s lobby still exists, but it has been completely walled off.

Houdini’s brother, Theo Hardeen, had his stage show at the Madison Theatre on May 30th, 1945. Thirteen days later, on June 12, 1945, Theo Hardeen passed away at the age of 69 from esophagus cancer. The RKO Madison Theatre was a popular venue in Ridgewood for decades. However, it became a Grindhouse, which was a theater that mostly showed b-grade horror or exploitation films, in the 1970s and eventually closed right after Halloween in 1977. The last film it showed was a twin-bill horror flick. The building was then converted for retail use in 1978 and has since housed several stores, including Consumers, Busy Bee, Odd Lot, and now Liberty Department Store.

The projection booth has been stripped bare of all equipment.

EartH (Savoy Cinema) – London, Great Britain

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This was originally published on the After the Final Curtain Patreon page in August 2023. For expanded posts, video walkthroughs and more – sign up at: https://www.patreon.com/afterthefinalcurtain

Located in the Stoke Newington neighborhood of North London, GB, the Savoy Cinema originally opened on October 26, 1936. It was part of the Associated British Cinemas (ABC) chain and was designed in the Art Deco architectural style by their resident architect, William R. Glen. The 1,890 seat cinema featured a Compton 3Manual/5Ranks theatre organ, which was transferred from the Astoria Cinema in Cliftonville, Kent.

Opening day at the Savoy featured screenings of “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town” starring Gary Cooper, and “The Case Against Mrs. Ames” starring Madeleine Carroll. The theater was renamed to the ABC in 1961, and remained that until it closed on March 12, 1977. “Cross of Iron” starring James Coburn was the final film shown before it closed. It reopened showing bollywood films soon after. In March 1982, the building was bought by an independent exhibitor, who renamed it to the Ace Cinema. However, it closed again on February 16, 1984 with a showing of “Scarface” starring Al Pacino.

The building then was converted into a snooker hall with a false ceiling separating the stalls (orchestra) from the balcony area, the stage area became a restaurant, and a Turkish community center opened in the balcony foyer. In 2014, the snooker hall moved into the balcony foyer, and the former stalls section became a function space called Epic.

In April 2017, a proposal was made to convert the former theater into a performing arts center with a budget of £3 million. The proposal was approved by the Hackney Council on July 20, 2017, and funding of £1.9 million was secured in February 2018. It opened as the EartH (Evolutionary Arts Hackney) with a performance by Jazz artist Mulatu Astatke, and singer Fatoumata Diawara in September 2018. Film screenings resumed a few months later on December 17, 2018 with some classic Christmas movies. The former stalls (orchestra) became a performance venue with a standing capacity of 1,200, and the balcony, which remained separate, became another with 680 seats.

The Utah Pantages Theatre – Salt Lake City, Utah

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This was originally posted on After the Final Curtain’s Patreon. For expanded early posts, as well as video walkthroughs and other exclusive content, you can become a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/afterthefinalcurtain

View of the auditorium post twinning.

On December 1, 1920, the Pantages Theatre opened in Salt Lake City, and was called “Utah’s most ornate theater” in an early advertisement. Designed by Benjamin Marcus Priteca, the official architect of the Pantages circuit, the theater could accommodate 2,300 guests. Priteca had designed more than 20 theaters for the company, making him the preferred architect of Alexander Pantages. The theater cost a staggering $2 million, equivalent to $34 million in present-day terms. Priteca, famous for his work with Pantages, decorated the interior in the Italian Renaissance style, a popular choice in Pantages theaters that became known as “Pantages Greek.”

A closer look at the skylight of the Utah Pantages Theatre.
A close up of the tiffany skylight.

The grand opening of the theater featured the silent film “Polyanna,” starring Mary Pickford as well as some vaudeville performances. On September 11, 1929, it was renamed the RKO Orpheum Theatre and renamed again on September 29, 1937, as the Utah Theatre. The Utah Theatre reopened with a stage review and the film “The Girl Said No,” starring Robert Armstrong.

View of the lobby from the mezzanine level.

In 1938, the Utah Pantages Theatre underwent significant changes, which included the removal of its third story and the application of Art Moderne style to its facade. A new marquee was also installed in the same style. Over the years, the theater hosted many famous performances from celebrities such as Babe Ruth, Abbott and Costello, and Will Rogers.

Entrance hallway to the Utah Pantages Theatre in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The theater had a long entrance hallway leading to the lobby.

The center section of the facade and marquee were replaced yet again in 1968, this time with a simpler design featuring a smaller projecting roof. The interior also underwent major renovations during this time, resulting in the creation of a twin-plex layout and the removal of original interior finishes in the lower auditorium to accommodate the renovation.

It ceased to operate as a movie theater in 1988 and was later used by a local dance company until 1992, when it was sold to new owners. Following a series of changes in ownership, the vacant building was eventually acquired by the Salt Lake City Redevelopment Agency (RDA) in 2009.

View of the auditorium from the side of the balcony.

Hines, a privately owned real estate development firm, signed an agreement with Salt Lake City in 2019 to purchase the Utah Theatre property. The agreement required the future residential development to include at least 10% of affordable housing units and to maintain a green space with public access. The developers acquired the property for $0 from the RDA under these conditions. However, the proposed 31-story, 400-unit apartment tower at the site, which would involve the demolition of the Utah Theatre, was met with controversy. There have been efforts to save the theatre from demolition as supporters of this initiative dispute the city’s renovation cost estimates of $60-$80 million.

Some of the ornate plasterwork that remained in the theater prior to demolition.

The demolition of the historic theater, despite efforts by preservationists, and concerned citizens, began on April 19, 2022. Michael Valentine, a filmmaker and one of the founders of the group “Save the Historic Utah Pantages Theatre”, watched the demolition from a distance, streaming the event online. He lamented the loss of the beloved theater, describing it as a “hard to watch” and “sad day for Utah,” adding that it was “Utah’s greatest theater.” Multiple legal attempts to save the building proved unsuccessful, while the developers were unyielding in their pursuit of their construction schedule, citing financial losses for any delays.

After the theater’s demolition, Hines requested a one-year extension for finalizing their designs, citing unforeseen challenges discovered through soil samples. However, the loss of a key equity partner due to market changes has created significant financial difficulties for the Texas-based firm, causing them to miss their legal deadline for commencing construction.

The developer, though affirming their commitment to the success of the upscale tower, has not provided any timelines or estimates for when the delays might end. This has left many wondering about the future of the site and its impact on the surrounding community.

Elks Lodge – Pawtucket, RI

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This was originally posted on After the Final Curtain’s Patreon in November 2022. For expanded early posts, as well as video walkthroughs and other exclusive content, you can become a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/afterthefinalcurtain

View of the auditorium from the orchestra level.

The Pawtucket Elks Lodge Building is located in the central business district of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. It was designed in the Mission/Spanish Revival architectural style by the O’Malley-Fitzsimmons Company. Its first floor was made for commercial tenants, which is unusual for an Elks lodge.

Looking back at the auditorium from the stage.

On June 10, 1904, the Pawtucket Lodge of Elks #920 was founded with 64 members. They rented halls for their meetings before purchasing a permanent home on School Street in 1914. However, membership skyrocketed, and they announced plans to build a new lodge building in 1924. Construction was complete by 1926 and they moved in. During the Great Depression, the Pawtucket Elks could survive because of the income they received from the commercial tenants in the building.

The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 18, 1983. The Elks moved out of the building in the late 20th century, and the building fell into disrepair. It’s currently home to an artists collective who live and work in the building.

The exterior of the building.

A tapestry that was definitely not original to the building.

Summer and Fall Photo Workshops 2023

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I’m excited to announce that I’ll be hosting a photography workshop at the Fox West Theatre in Trinidad, Colorado, on October 21, 2023. Here’s a bit about the theater –

The Fox Theatre in Trinidad, Colorado, made its grand debut on March 16, 1908, showcasing the stage play “The Bondman.” Over the years, it served as a versatile venue for a variety of performances, including stage shows, vaudeville acts, opera, and silent films. It closed in 2013, making it one of the longest running single screen theaters in the country.

I spent around 8 hours photographing the place, and it wasn’t enough. There’s just too much to see.

For more info and to sign up visit:

https://www.mlambrosphotography.com/workshops/foxwestworkshop1021

 

View from the upper balcony of the Sorg Opera House.

Another new addition is the Sorg Opera House in Middletown, Ohio on September 30, 2023. This workshop was originally going to happen before the pandemic, and I’m happy it’s finally taking place.

It originally opened in the 1890s. The Sorg began showing early forms of motion pictures in 1901 and switched to films full time in the late 1920s. It is currently owned by the SORG (Sorg Opera Revitalization Group), who have performed much needed renovations on parts of the theater.

For more on the theater check out my post from 2018: https://afterthefinalcurtain.net/2018/10/25/sorg-opera-house-middletown-ohio/

To sign up for the workshop visit:

https://www.mlambrosphotography.com/workshops/sorgoperahouseworkshop

Finally, by popular demand – there will be another workshop at the Paramount Theatre in Springfield, MA on July 29, 2023.  It’s one of my favorite workshop locations, and I’m glad it’s back in the rotation.

To sign up visit: https://www.mlambrosphotography.com/workshops/paramountworkshop72023

For the rest of the 2023 workshop schedule check out:

https://www.mlambrosphotography.com/workshops

Union Theatre – Attleboro, MA

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This was originally posted on After the Final Curtain’s Patreon in February 2022. For expanded early posts, as well as video walkthroughs and other exclusive content, you can become a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/afterthefinalcurtain

View of the auditorium from the orchestra level.

The Union Theatre in Attleboro, MA originally opened in 1918 as a vaudeville and silent movie theater. It was operated by B & Q Associates and had 1,101 seats. Because of the decline in vaudeville, and the rise of the modern talking motion picture, the Union underwent a remodel in 1927 to give it the ability to show “talkies.”

A close up of the theater’s logo on the fire curtain.

Another remodel happened in May 1939 when air conditioning was added to the theater. The Union was divided into multiple screens in 1986 so that it could show multiple movies at a time. It was renamed the Roxy Theatre, then the Attleboro Cinema before returning to the Union Theater. It closed as a movie theater in the 1990s.

The lobby was modernized when the theater was twinned.

During the early 2000s, the Triboro Youth Theatre rented the Union and performed Broadway musicals. They removed the wall dividing the lower level into two screens and removed the drywall covering the original stage. Musicals held at the theater during this time include Peter Pan, Jesus Christ, Superstar and South Pacific. However, this was short-lived as the theater was not up to code, and they released the Triboro Youth Theatre from their rental agreement.

View of the auditorium from the stage.

In September 2015, thieves broke into the theater, stole the sound amplifiers from the projectors and some lenses. The owner of the theater used the marquee to ask for its return. It read “Wanted: Stolen Projector Equipment Returned” for several months after the theft. The theater remains closed.

View from the side of the balcony.