inside the majestic million dollar theatre
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On February 28, 2008, Broadway’s landmark Million Dollar Theatre reopened after a year-long $1 million renovation. The reopening celebration featured live Latin performers, dancers and much cheer from the community.
The historic structure, originally designed as a movie palace for legendary showman Sid Grauman, debuted in February 1918.
Over its 90-year life on Broadway, the venue has been used as a cinema house, live performance hall and like so many other grand Downtown theatres, a church.
Recent restoration work brought a fresh mauve and gold color scheme, new marble flooring and reconditioning of the proscenium’s many intricate architectural details. The result is a rich transformation that we want to share with you over a series of interior photographs.
Though much work has been put into the performance venue, there’s still much left to be done, as worn seats and water damage were clearly visible.
A performance schedule for many planned movie premieres, concerts, theater productions and film screenings will be announced in coming months, though Mariachi Vargas is already confirmed for Mother’s Day 2008.
Special thanks to Robert Voskanian with the Million Dollar Theatre!
-Million Dollar Theatre Photo Set (Stephen Friday)
-Million Dollar Theatre Photo Set (Rich Alossi)
-Cinema Treasures: Million Dollar Theatre
12 comments
It is features like this that make Angelenic such a worthwhile place. The variety of your stories on the Central City is great.
As far as I know, no other web site attempts to give such a good overview of downtown Los Angeles. So I hope you never grow weary of running Angelenic.com. If you do, please try to turn it over to others who will be no less dedicated to keeping it informative and current.
Very Nice! except, the blue railing needs to go. just doesnt fit in.
Here, here! to both comments above.
But seriously to the blue railing. When I first saw it I thought that must have been a photo from during the renovations and then it started to dawn on me it was for real. Did they run out of money for paint? Will they accept volunteers to fix it?
some railings are painted gold. me thinks the blue is only a not yet completed portion…hopefully.
Get over the railings.. The theatre looks fantastic!
The next best announcement would be that it’s a venue for this year’s Last Remaining Seats.
Wow, it’s gorgeous. (minus the blue railings, which are probably incomplete) Great photos!
Those blue railings are definitely unfinished - as are several other details.
Guys, sorry! we are not finished yet, the blue railings are unfinished and will be gone, plus there is more improvement that we are planning to do, pls. give us little more time
thanks Robert (GM) Million Dollar Theater.
Please do remove the pink walls and blue handbars. It would also be nice if they put an LED screen in front of the Theatre like the El Capitan on Hollywood.
Wheres the parking? Downtown is like an ant farm, if parking is available and not those pay ones then this place rocks if not well… I’ll take my business elsewhere.
Mr. Voskanian I agree wheres the parking? Have you removed the blue handle bars? By the way that blue light under the exit sign must go as well and don’t tell me it’s the light from outside. I love it! wheres Dracula at?lol