Warner Theatre (Torrington, Connecticut) facts for kids
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Warner Theatre
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 68-82 Main St., Torrington, Connecticut |
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| Area | 2.5 acres (1.0 ha) |
| Built | 1931 |
| Architect | Thomas W. Lamb |
| Architectural style | Art Deco, Modernistic |
| Website | www.warnertheatre.org |
| Part of | Downtown Torrington Historic District (ID88002978) |
| NRHP reference No. | 84001098 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 16, 1984 |
| Designated CP | December 22, 1988 |
The Warner Theatre is a cool building in Torrington, Connecticut. It's designed in the Art-Deco style, which was popular a long time ago. This theater first opened its doors on August 19, 1931. It was part of the famous Warner Bros. movie chain.
Today, the Warner Theatre is a busy place. It's a performing arts center where you can see many different shows. It's also a special landmark. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. People think it's the "finest surviving Modernistic theatre in Connecticut."
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History of the Warner Theatre
The Warner Theatre was built to be a fancy movie palace. It was designed by a famous architect named Thomas W. Lamb. When it opened in 1931, it was a big event. Even the Governor of Connecticut, Wilbur Cross, was there!
The theater could seat 1,772 people. It showed off the newest technology of its time. Plus, it had really beautiful and elegant decorations.
Changes Over the Years
In the 1960s, Warner Brothers sold the theater. A private owner took over and kept showing movies. But by the late 1970s, the theater closed down. It was even planned to be torn down!
Luckily, a group of local people stepped in. They formed a group called the Northwest Connecticut Association for the Arts. This group worked hard to save the theater. They started a big campaign to raise money. Their efforts paid off! The association bought the theater. It reopened on May 22, 1983.
Today, the Warner Theatre is open all year. More than 80,000 people visit it every year. It has a great program that teaches young people about art. Thousands of kids from the area have learned there.
The theater also has a community program. Over 400 volunteers help out. They do everything from acting to building sets and helping people find their seats. Many famous performers have been on its stage. These include the Vienna Boys Choir and singer Anne Murray. Comedian George Carlin and the Washington Ballet have also performed there.
Filming at the Theatre
On October 14, 2012, a movie was filmed at the Warner Theatre. Director Paul Rothbart shot a scene for his short romantic comedy. The movie was called "Isn't It Romantic?". The opening scene was filmed right in the theater's lobby.
Restoring the Theatre's Beauty
The Warner Theatre has been carefully restored. A lot of money was raised for this project. The state and federal governments helped. The local community and businesses also gave money.
In August 2002, the theater closed for a big restoration. This was "Phase One" of bringing back its old Art Deco look. Workers removed the old seats and wall coverings. For two months, the auditorium was filled with tall scaffolding. This allowed them to restore the ceiling. They also fixed the huge, star-shaped light. The complex patterns on the walls were cleaned and gilded.
Bringing Back Original Colors
The walls used to have a brown "monkey fur" covering. This was actually crushed velvet. It was changed back to its original bright orange color. This special velvet came from Germany.
New gold curtains from France now decorate the walls. They also replaced the main stage curtain. The lobby stairway landing also has these beautiful drapes. The floor in the auditorium was also fixed. This made it easier for people with disabilities to move around. The carpets in the lobby and aisles were replaced. They now have the same Art Deco pattern as when the theater opened in 1931. The lighting, sound, and fire alarm systems were also updated. This made the theater modern and safe again.
Damage and Repairs
In 1999, a fire happened at the theater. A ghost light was left too close to the stage curtain. This light, nicknamed "Larry The Light," caused the curtain to catch fire. The flames spread quickly.
The fire caused about $300,000 in damage. The main stage curtain was lost. The stage floor was damaged. Smoke also damaged the walls and ceiling of the auditorium.
See also
