State Theatre (Falls Church, Virginia) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
State Theatre

The State Theatre
Address	220 N Washington St Falls Church, Virginia 22046-4517
Location	Washington metropolitan area
Coordinates	38°52′58″N 77°10′11″W / 38.8829°N 77.1696°W / 38.8829; -77.1696
Owner	Timeless Entertainment
Capacity	850
Opened	January 27, 1936 (1936-01-27)
Building details
General information
Renovated	1998-99
Renovation cost	$2 million ($3.59 million in 2022 dollars )
Renovating team
Architect	Martinez+Johnson

The State Theatre is a popular concert hall and restaurant located in Falls Church, Virginia. It first opened in 1936 as a movie theater and showed films for over 50 years before closing in 1988. After a major renovation, it reopened in 1999 as a place for live music and special events.

From Movies to Music

When the State Theatre was built, it was very modern for its time. It was one of the first theaters on the East Coast to have central air-conditioning, which was a luxury in the 1930s. The theater was the main location for a family-owned company called "Neighborhood Theatres."

The very first movie shown at the State Theatre was Thanks a Million, starring the actor Dick Powell. For decades, people came to watch movies here. The last film shown before it closed as a movie theater was Die Hard on November 27, 1988.

A New Beginning

In the late 1990s, the theater was given a multimillion-dollar makeover. This big project turned the old movie house into the exciting music venue it is today.

Many parts of the original building were saved. The large stage, the 200 seats in the balcony, and the two lobbies are all from the original 1936 theater. This helps the venue keep its historic charm while hosting modern concerts.

For almost seven years, from 2004 to 2011, the theater was home to a weekly music TV show called Strictly Global.

Famous Performers

Many famous musicians and bands have performed on the State Theatre's stage. Here are some of them: