Warner Theater - Worcester, MA

[Louie]

Here a hidden gem in my city, the Warner Theatre on the campus of Worcester Academy. The theater was a gift to the Academy from Warner Brothers President Harry Warner in memory of his son Lewis (Worcester Academy Class of 1928). It is the Lewis J. Warner Theatre and seats about 1,600. I don't believe film is projected there, but when I went projectors were still in place (although I couldn't access the booth).

 

[dhermann1]

Flies?

That certainly is a magnificent edifice. If your first shot was just a little wider I could see if the building has fly space. It has a nice big stage, and fly space above the stage would make it possible to put on major stage shows as well as music and film. It also looks like the from of the stage is removable. Does it go down and become an orchestra pit? It would seem to me that it was primarily designed as a music hall. Regardless, it's nice to see theaters like this surviving.
There was a documentary about Warner Bros recently on PBS. As I recall Lewis was a very talented and inspired young man, who died tragically in his early twenties.

 

[Louie]

Don't know if it was built as a performance theater, but it was designed by theater architect Drew Eberson. It was opened in 1932 and the orchestra pit may have been there orignally but removed during subsequent restorations.

Another picture:

 

[dhermann1]

Anyhow, it's just gorgeous.

 

[Flivver]

It certainly is well hidden! I've lived in Worcester my whole life and never knew about this.

I definetly need to go have a look. My cousin's son is a student at Worcester Academy so I'm sure he'll know about it.

Thanks *so* much for posting this.

 

[InspectorMorse]

Wonderful! thanks for sharing! what do they do with it now?

 

[Louie]

Wonderful! thanks for sharing! what do they do with it now?

They have stage shows there and I believe lectures. Last time I was inside was a few years back, The Mass Bay Film Festival showed Chaplin's "The Gold Rush".

 

[KittyT]

I think there's another thread here all about old theaters...