A $19 million project to restore the former glory of the Lansdowne Theater as it becomes a new concert venue got some love Saturday when community members and leaders were invited inside.
The former movie theater at 31 N. Lansdowne Ave. dates back to 1927 and has been closed since 1987. It’s scheduled to open as a concert venue in the fall after the outdoor summer festival season ends.
Matt Schultz, spearheading the restoration project as executive director of the nonprofit, The Historic Lansdowne Theater Corp., offered a Punchlist Tour to the public to see the progress that’s been made, writes Kathleen E. Carey for the Daily Times.
Hundreds took advantage.
The 1,280-seat theater was brightly lit as guests walked the aisles and checked out the stage and dressing rooms.
A 98-year-old theater curtain beside the stage is the restored original. The stage curtain is new but painted to match the embroidery of the original.
One visitor, U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-5 ) remembers when the plaster was falling down and the curtains were shredding.
“This is spectacular,” she said of the restoration. “It’s so exciting to see this. It’s a labor of love for so many.”
Find out more about the Lansdowne Theater project in the Daily Times.
