The Williams Center facts for kids
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William Carlos Williams Center for the Performing Arts, The Willy
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| Former names | Rivoli Theatre, William Carlos Williams Center for the Performing Arts |
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| Location | 1 Williams Plaza, Rutherford, New Jersey 07070 |
| Owner | Native Development LLC |
| Type | Theater [(performing arts)] |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1920s |
| Renovated | 1982, 2006,2008 |
The Williams Center is a cool place in downtown Rutherford, New Jersey. It's an arts center and a movie theater all in one! It's named after William Carlos Williams. He was a famous poet and doctor who grew up right there in Rutherford.
The building itself is really old. It was built in the 1920s as a Vaudeville theater called the Rivoli. Vaudeville was a type of show with different acts like singers, dancers, and comedians. Soon, the Rivoli started showing silent movies, and then "talkies" (movies with sound!).
The theater was very popular until a fire damaged part of it in 1977. But a group of generous people, called philanthropists, stepped in to help. They started the Williams Center Project in 1978. Thanks to them, the center reopened in 1982.
Today, the Williams Center has two live theaters and three movie screens. It also has an open-air gallery for meetings and events. In 2021, the town of Rutherford bought the center. This helped save it from being torn down or changed too much.
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What You Can Do at the Williams Center Today
The Williams Center is a busy place with lots to see and do. It offers a mix of movies, live shows, and art events.
Enjoy Movies and More
On July 29, 2016, the three movie theaters reopened. They now show new movies using digital projectors. This was possible because people helped raise money. The center also updated its snack stands and lobby areas. There's even a party room that has been turned into an arcade!
See Live Performances
The center often hosts live music and art events. It's a great spot to catch a show or see local artists. The building is currently getting some big updates. But it still welcomes visitors for weekly events.
A Look Back: History of the Williams Center
The Williams Center has a long and interesting past. It started as a grand theater and has been a community hub for decades.
The Rivoli Theater's Grand Opening
The Rivoli Theater first opened its doors in Rutherford in April 1922. It was huge, with space for 2,200 people! A man named Abram Preiskel designed it. The building had a beautiful marble front. Inside, there was a fancy arch around the stage. A giant chandelier, made of 62,000 crystals, hung in the middle.
Famous Performers and Movies
The Rivoli was a popular place for silent films and vaudeville acts. Famous duos like Abbott and Costello performed there. The Glenn Miller Orchestra also played under the sparkling chandelier. Audiences loved silent movies starring Buster Keaton and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
From Fire to Rebirth
The theater kept going, with only short breaks, until January 1977. A big fire destroyed almost a third of the building. It looked like the theater might be gone forever. But a group of kind people stepped in to save it. They included Fairleigh Dickinson, Peter and Sally Sammartino, Oscar Schwidetsky, Barry Dancy, and Herb Cutter.
They started a non-profit group called the Williams Center Project. A non-profit group uses its money to help the community, not to make a profit. They changed the theater's name to the William Carlos Williams Center for the Performing Arts. It was named after the famous poet and doctor from Rutherford. The newly fixed-up center opened again in 1982.
A Community Landmark
In 1987, the building was given to Bergen County. The non-profit group continued to run it. The center kept serving the community. It hosted live plays, music shows, movies, and art exhibits. Many people from Rutherford remember graduating from high school on its main stage. It truly became a special place for everyone in the area.
