Riverside Theater (Milwaukee)

Riverside Theater
View of the Riverside Theater from the Milwaukee Skywalk
Map
Address116 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
United States
Public transitBus transport MCTS
OwnerPabst Theater Group
Typeconcert hall
Capacity2,480
Construction
OpenedApril 29, 1928
ArchitectCharles Kirchoff; Thomas Rose
Website
www.pabsttheatergroup.com/venues/detail/the-riverside-theater/

The Riverside Theater is a concert hall located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The venue seats 2,480 people[1] and hosts many different musicians, comedians, shows, and events. It is leased by the Pabst Theater Foundation.

History

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The Riverside Theater was designed in the French Baroque style by local architects Charles Kirchhoff and Thomas Rose, who designed many theaters, including the Palace Theater in New York City. The venue was commissioned by RKO Pictures as part of a 12 story office building called the Empire Building. Opening on April 29, 1928, the theater primarily played vaudeville performances, big bands, and movies. However, by the 1950s, the theater had transitioned to almost exclusively showing first-run movies.[2][3] The building was sold in 1962 to Towne Realty (now Zilber Ltd.), who leased the theater to United Artists.[4][5] In 1966, the highly decorated ceiling and curtains were destroyed in a fire caused by a patron throwing a cigarette onto the stage.[2]

By the 1970s, the Riverside Theater was in a general state of disrepair, and had switched to showing B-movies, partially due to the growing number of multiplex cinemas. In 1982, United Artists decided to not renew their lease of the theater, leaving it closed.[5][3] Joseph Zilber, the owner of Towne Realty, agreed to fund a $1.5 million renovation to restore the Riverside Theater, in addition to funding the restoration of its original theater organ made by Wurlitzer.[2][3] On November 2, 1984, The Riverside Theater reopened as a live performance venue.[6]

In 2005, the theater was leased to the Pabst Theater Foundation (now Pabst Theater Group) and underwent artistic renovations.[5][7] Between 2015 and 2016, more renovations were done including replacing the carpet, stage floor, and seating. A new marquee and a 40 feet (12 m) vertical sign were also added to the exterior, reminiscent of the theater's history.[4][8]

References

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  1. ^ "The Riverside Theater". Pabst Theater Group Rentals. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Rankin, James H. "Riverside Theater". Cinema Treasures. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Wolfgram, Fred; Schwacke, Gordon (1 November 1986). "Renaissance in Milwaukee". Theatre Organ. 28 (6).
  4. ^ a b Horne, Michael (16 December 2015). "New Era for Riverside Theater". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Jozwik, Catherine (17 December 2018). "Riverside Theater celebrates 90 years". Milwaukee Record. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  6. ^ "Riverside Theatre Wurlitzer". Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  7. ^ "History". Pabst Theater. Archived from the original on 16 September 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  8. ^ Daykin, Tom (13 September 2015). "Riverside Theater marking renaissance with new marquee, improvements". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
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43°02′20.6″N 87°54′39.4″W / 43.039056°N 87.910944°W / 43.039056; -87.910944

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