Erie Playhouse

13 W. 10th Street,
Erie, PA 16501

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Erie Playhouse (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Cinemette Corporation of America, RKO, Stanley-Warner Theatres, Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp.

Architects: Victor A. Rigaumont

Functions: Playhouse

Styles: Streamline Moderne

Previous Names: Strand Theatre

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 814.454.2852
Manager: 814.454.2852

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News About This Theater

Erie Playhouse

The 977 seat Strand Theatre was one of the big 3 movie theatres in Erie–the other two being the Warner Theatre and Shea’s Theatre. This Strand Theatre opened on November 14, 1948, and replaced an earlier (larger) Strand Theatre which operated on State Street. Originally built by Stanley-Warner, it had seating on a stadium plan, with a raised stepped section at the rear. I believe this new Strand Theatre later stood empty for a number of years until it was rescued by the Erie Playhouse company in 1983.

Currently seating 433, the theatre has been renovated in 1993 and 2007 and was recognised by the American Theatre Association in 1985 as one of the Ten Best Community Theatres in the United States.

Contributed by David Stear, Ken Roe

Recent comments (view all 28 comments)

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on December 3, 2008 at 12:34 am

A 1996 view of the former Strand Theater building in Erie.

Patsy
Patsy on December 3, 2008 at 10:38 am

http://tinyurl.com/32t27o

This is how the Erie Playhouse should still look, imo!

karlink
karlink on February 24, 2009 at 10:50 am

There was a balcony in the Strand. My father was a part-time projectionist there during the Seventies. I would sit with him in the booth or in the balcony (which was closed to the public by that time for some reason. I saw many movies there, including The Godfather,Jaws (18 times) and a re-release of 2001. The balcony was only opened one time that I remember, for Star Trek 2 in 1981 or ‘82.

MDaurora
MDaurora on February 24, 2009 at 12:58 pm

This Strand Theater replaced the original Strand, which was around the corner on State Street. The “new” Strand had a stadium style balcony. The design was art moderne. As you entered the lobby, the concession stand was to your left, which also had the stairs leading to the rest rooms on the lower level. The three strip Cinerama was set up in one booth in the balcony. in 1960, “Ben Hur” opened in 70mm and, if memory serves, played for almost a year. for 70mm they returned to the original booth. Across the street was the Majestic, an old vaudeville house which became Shea’s. There were also the Colonial, Columbia and the State in downtown Erie

RoadsideArchitecture.com
RoadsideArchitecture.com on November 1, 2010 at 11:40 am

Here’s my July 2010 photo showing the new ticker-type marquee, squares on facade cleaned up, new doors, horizonal stripes removed… all just horrible in my opinion:
http://agilitynut.com/10/7/eth.jpg

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on November 1, 2010 at 1:02 pm

I agree it looks “TACKY” but thats just my opinion,the owners most likely love it though.

paulnelson
paulnelson on January 26, 2015 at 9:48 pm

The new facade is an improvement. Color and an art deco style lower treatment. Doors are similar to old ones but fresher. Good job and not tacky.

matthewthecinemaguy
matthewthecinemaguy on April 19, 2022 at 8:44 am

List of Owners: 1948-1953 Warner Brothers Circuit 1953-1961 Stanley Warner 1961-1969 RKO Stanley Warner 1975-1980 Cinemette Corporation of America

rivest266
rivest266 on June 11, 2023 at 1:41 pm

1948 grand opening ad posted.

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