TONIGHT: Have fun, help fix up the Admiral Theater

admiral.jpgHot out of the WSB inbox: The Admiral Theater is having a “surprise midnight movie” TONIGHT (doors open 11:30), admission $5, all proceeds to the restoration project. The movie: “Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World’s End.” Be there! Also from the Admiral Theater, two more items that are free to a good home, first come first serve according to the theater’s Steve Garrett: Glass-top display freezer, and upright “Pepsi refrigerator.” Steve says both “need to be charged.” Don’t wait till the midnight movie, call him now if you want either or both at 206-938-0360 theater, 206-856-9798 cell.

5 Replies to "TONIGHT: Have fun, help fix up the Admiral Theater"

  • Alvis August 16, 2007 (5:58 pm)

    Last I heard, the exhibitor was a tenant and the theater was still owned by Marc Gartin, the local developer who saved the theater from the wrecking ball about twenty years ago — and who saved it again by building the public parking garage on 42nd Avenue S.W. underneath Bartell Drugs.

    I am curious: Has the ownership changed? Is the Seattle Landmarks Board involved? I don’t mean to sound negative or confrontational, and I am excited to hear about improvements. But who is authorizing the cost of such theater alterations as (according to this week’s W.S. Herald) adding a live performance stage for the likes of B.B. King?

  • MkH August 16, 2007 (7:05 pm)

    We don’t need a freezer, but if they decide to upgrade the popcorn machines, please post!

  • Tim McMonigle August 16, 2007 (10:21 pm)

    I was talking to the manager the other day and he mentioned they will be improving the stage and bringing in plays. He also said after the clean up the upstairs a bit, they will be adding a lounge up there for folks to hang around before or after a movie.

    If this is done right and the buzz starts happening, this could be a pretty cool place to hang our hats up here in the Admiral area.

  • Dis August 16, 2007 (10:51 pm)

    Wow. This is very cool. Alvis, if it’s a private theatre, why are we concerned about who’s “authorizing” the alterations? Do you mean, who in the city is approving construction permits? Or are you worried about what the theatre could become? It’s not clear what your point is. Seems like a perfect live performance venue.

  • Alvis August 17, 2007 (1:08 am)

    You’re right, Dis, it is a privately-owned building. That’s why I’d like to hear more about the private owner’s stake in the remodeling and restoration plans.

    Renovating a theater is by no means inexpensive. And there are logistical questions (plus landmark board approvals) in play. For example, reopening the balcony would entail reconfiguring the two projection booths that became necesary when the theater was converted to twin auditoriums. Plus, live performances would presumably entail the addition of a dressing room space that does not exist in the current movie screen/stage area.

    It’s a lot more complicated and a plenty more expensive than just thinking the space would make a cool performance venue and raising money via an extra midnight show or two.

    Let me be try to be clear. None of this is meant as a discouragement of the plans. These questions are simply legitimate and necessary elements of a theater restoration or remodel. For myself, I’d like a better idea about the scope of changes the owner would be investing in the theater building.

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