Hershey Theatre
15 E. Caracas Avenue,
Hershey,
PA
17033
15 E. Caracas Avenue,
Hershey,
PA
17033
6 people
favorited this theater
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The Hershey Theatre (Official)
Additional Info
Architects: C. Emlen Urban
Functions: Concerts, Conference Center, Live Performances, Stage Shows
Styles: Atmospheric, Italian Renaissance
Previous Names: Hershey Community Theatre
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
717.534.3405
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News About This Theater
- Nov 17, 2006 — Field Trip to tour Hershey Theatre
The 1904-seat recently renovated Hershey Theatre is located in downtown Hershey, PA and was founded by the chocolate magnate Milton S. Hershey. Building began in 1928 and finished in 1933 at a cost of $3 million dollars. The Hershey Theatre opened September 2, 1933.
The lobby is fashioned after St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice. The pinpoint blue and gold mosaic design work took two artisans four years to complete. Inside the auditorium, the Atmospheric style is designed in a Byzantine/Venetian theme.
The theater’s historic four-manual, 78-rank Aeolian-Skinner concert organ has over 4,000 pipes - the largest are over thirty feet tall. The organ is played for a half hour before screenings of classic movies.
Today the Hershey Theatre is the site of many community arts activities, as well as touring Broadway shows, concerts, and dance. Its classic film series was shown about once a month until it ceased in January 2013.
Contributed by
Diane Paul, Stephen L. Zinicola
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Recent comments (view all 16 comments)
Patsy – The Hershey Theatre is magnificent. Yes it is an atmospheric theatre. Check their website. I know there are some stage shows coming. I, myself, want to get tickets to see “Avenue Q” when it plays there in February. However, individual show tickets have not gone on sale yet. I stand in the lobby everytime my wife and I go there and am just awed by the splendor. Only someone on the economic scale of Milton Hershey could have built a place like this. The auditorium is equally as gorgeous. I look forward to perhaps some Saturday getting there to see a movie. I believe it is one Saturday a month over the Fall and Winter and early Spring they show a classic movie. Don’t miss a chance to see this theatre!!!!!
Dennis
DennisZ: I do plan to see this theatre built by Milton Hershey!!!!
Renewing my link.
Susan Robinson was named in 1985 to be the Executive Manager of the Hershey and hopes to improve on the “CLASSIC FILM SERIES” started in 1979.
I bet they sell Hershey Bars at the concessions.
Yes,they do.
I attended Milton Hershey School from ‘63 to '69, and we went to church services in the theater Sunday morning, after watching movies Saturday night. Go figure. I’ll never forget the organ rising out of the pit, reminded me of the Phantom of the Opera.
With the retirement of long time manager and Classic Film Series supporter Diane Paul last year, the Hershey Theatre is no longer screening films.
The Classic Film Series was only once a month as a fill in on those weekends when other events not scheduled and the usage and partronage was not enough to warrant the investment in a digital projector.
Lots of pictures and history can be found here:
http://www.pennlive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/02/hershey_theatre_cool_spaces.html
Direct link to the Old Broadcast Equipment Page on Facebook. Scroll through 35 photos of the Hershey Theatre.
https://www.facebook.com/606358196047273/photos/pcb.2920552861294450/2920551104627959/?type=3&theater