Variety Theatre
11815 Lorain Avenue,
Cleveland,
OH
44111
11815 Lorain Avenue,
Cleveland,
OH
44111
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Article in today’s Plain Dealer about the restoration of the Variety and LaSalle theaters.
I was at the Variety Theater on 2/12/84 for the Motorhead show. Exciter from Canada and Mercyful Fate from Denmark opened for them.
The buzz outside the theater was the new record “Kill Em All” by a band called Metallica. Motorhead indeed was the loudest EVER, and I remember Lemmy saying to the crowd something like “they’re kicking us off” (the stage). The next day I believe I failed my 11th grade chemistry test. Later, I remember there was an article in Circus magazine that detailed how the “plaster fell from the ceiling” at the Motorhead show. I wish I still had that article. Anyways, the Variety was a great place to see live music!
The last time films were shown at the Capital Theater was the summer of ‘82 when River and Tom Smith (Liberation Brew) created the Cleveland West Film Society. The films “King of Hearts” and “Harold and Maude” drew big crowds. There is hope the the Variety Theater neighborhood will experience a similar revival that the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood has, good luck Capital Theater.
The Friends of the Historic Variety Theatre have a new website: www.varietytheatrecleveland.com You can find photos and information about the “Buy a Bulb” campaign to raise money to restore the marquee.
Here’s a direct link to the detailed article about the Variety page mentioned above:
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Among other things (a great article) it was built in 1927, at the same time as the Park, with 1900 seats (AFR 1936 says 1,931 seats) with 1,500 in orchestra and 400 in the balcony. The auditorium is turned 90 degrees from the street, angled to the right. At present it is in basically good shape, considering how long it has been closed and the roof and building are structurally sound.
In an effort to retrieve photos from the theatre, we are offering $20 per picture to anyone who can bring photos of the theatre from 1949 or before. We will return original photos to you. We would very much appreciate any photos that include the original marquee (with vertical blade).
For more information, contact Gretchen Moore at 216-941-9262 x 12 or at
We are in the process of restoring the Variety Theatre. The marquee is scheduled to be repaired and re-lit late summer 2007. The theatre originally had 1900 seats but most of the original seats on the floor have been removed (balcony seats are intact). The Friends of the Historic Variety Theatre is a new 501 ©(3) organization dedicated to the renovation and successful operation of the Variety Theatre. Plans are to bring it back as a multi-use theatre with films (second run) and live performances (childrens theatre, dinner theatre, plays & musicals, and private parties/receptions). Estimated cost of the renovation is $5 million. From what I’ve heard, it was the Motorhead concert (2/12/84) that cracked the plaster. The theatre is currently vacant and the Friends have already started work to address the parking problems. We’re trying to collect stories and memorabilia from the days when the theatre was operational. Please feel free to contact Gretchen Moore at Westown CDC at 216-941-9262 x 12 or for more information or to share what you have/know.
I believe the seating capacity of the Variety was much higher than stated above. More like 1550 on the ground level and 350 in the balcony.
The Variety Theater was recently sold. The new owner reportedly wants to reopen the theater and include films in the programming
An article on the history of the Variety Theater, including now-and-then photos, can be found at westparkhistory.com
On www.theshadowlands.net/places/ohio it mentions the Variety Theater. It says that there are a figure in white and a man with red eyes. There is paranormal stage noise that is reported to have been made by a worker who fell off the light balcony and died on the stage. My friend Anthony Asher can see ghosts, even though he is 9 or 10 like me.
During the early 80’s this theatre was also rented out as a hall. I remember that there were several early 80’s well known heavy metal acts that played there during their national tours. One band reportedly played so loud that part of the inside structure (I believe it was the ceiling) cracked. Soon after that there were no more acts allowed because it was thought the theater could be further damaged by the load music.