Sun Theatre

404 10th Street,
Gothenburg, NE 69138

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Related Websites

Sun Theatre (Official)

Additional Info

Architects: Victor F. Beck

Functions: Live Performances, Movies (First Run)

Styles: Streamline Moderne

Previous Names: Opera House

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 308.537.3235
Manager: 308.537.3235

Nearby Theaters

Sun Theatre

Built as the Gothenburg Opera House and opening on June 4, 1909 with the play “Valley Farm”. From June 12, 1909 films were being screened. It became the Sun Theatre, a movie theatre, on November 23, 1917. From 1923 to 1927 it was owned by the city and renamed Community House. On February 5, 1927 under new ownership it returned to movies as the Sun Theatre. Seating was provided for 350. It was closed on December 31, 1981.

It was taken over by the Gothenburg Community Playhouse in 1983, presenting movies and live shows. In 2020 it underwent a restoration.

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

Recent comments (view all 9 comments)

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on September 5, 2010 at 2:23 pm

From Gothenburg photos of the Sun Theater Here and Here taken in 2010.

adamghost
adamghost on July 30, 2013 at 3:01 pm

Not only open, but in wonderful repair, fresh paint and a snazzy marquee. Nice!

rivest266
rivest266 on August 11, 2013 at 11:35 am

Official website at http://www.gothenburgsun.com/

Gothenburgsuntheatre
Gothenburgsuntheatre on March 21, 2014 at 5:31 pm

Many updates at the Sun Theatre in the past few years. Digital projector with 7.1 Dolby surround sound, ultra-bright screen, all new curtains & acoustical wall curtains, refinished wood floors, new carpet & comfortable new seats(260). Also have live stage productions several times a year.

Chris1982
Chris1982 on October 31, 2014 at 6:03 am

The Sun Theatre was listed as open in 1931 with 400 seats and now seats 260.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on April 12, 2018 at 7:02 pm

The “History” page of the Sun Theatre’s official web site says the theater was built as an opera house in 1909 and became a movie house in 1926. However, there is this item from the December 27, 1917, issue of Exhibitors Herald:

“Gothenburg, Neb. — Gothenburg’s new Sun Theatre, a motion picture house, was opened to the public recently. Between 1,500 and 2,000 people witnessed the two performances on opening day. Nate Desky of Brush, Colo., is owner.”
That 1917 is when the Opera House was converted into a movie theater called the Sun is confirmed by this notice from the July 21, 1917, issue of The American Contractor:
“Gothenburg, Nebr. — Opera House (rem.): $2,500. 2 sty. 50x92. Archt. Victor F. Beck, North Platte, Nebr. Owner Nat. Desky, Brush, Colo. Taking bids.”

robboehm
robboehm on December 10, 2020 at 4:25 pm

Updated an image from 1937.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on December 12, 2020 at 8:29 pm

This history of Gothenburg’s theaters from the Gothenburg Leader says that from 1923 to 1927, this theater was owned by the city and was called the Community House.

A new lessee, Glen Van Wey, restored the name Sun Theatre and reopened the house as a movie theater on February 5, 1927. The city sold the building to Van Wey in 1938. It wasn’t until an extensive remodeling in 1948 that the flat main floor was removed and replaced with a sloped floor. The Van Wey family managed to keep the Sun open until December 31, 1981. The Gothemburg Community Playhouse then began a fund raising drive and were able to purchase the theater in 1983. Since then the non-profit organization has presented movies at least 48 weekends a year (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays), and live events at other times.

From May through September, 2020, the Sun Theatre was closed for a $400,000 dollar renovation project, focused primarily on the front of the house. The Sun now boasts new, accessible rest rooms, and accessible seating in the auditorium. Total seating capacity is now 240.

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