|
|
Post by jon hynes on Mar 25, 2009 22:27:30 GMT -5
 Orpheum - Looking West on Lafayette Street |
|
|
|
Post by jon hynes on Mar 25, 2009 22:28:14 GMT -5
The balcony was 50 feet deep front to rear and extended across the building. It was finished in maroon and green, and had 425 seats. The ceiling, 57 feet high, was frescoed with figures typical of the dawn and of the histrionic art in bright colors. Stucco work enhanced these decorations, some of it representing figures in mythology. The gallery, which was one floor higher, could seat 500.
The boxes were twelve in number, six on each side and were entered from the first floor. No two boxes on a side were on the same level and this gave the occupants of each box the unobstructed view of the stage. Above the boxes a number of cupids were placed. The opera chairs were upholstered in Nile green tapestry.
|
|
|
|
Post by jon hynes on Mar 25, 2009 22:28:56 GMT -5
There were fifteen complete sets of scenery, which could be raised or lowered from the rigging loft without the shifting which was a noticeable feature of the old Opera House. From the opening of the new theater, the employees were dressed in uniforms of green, with gold braid and plain gold buttons.
The Majestic furnished a great array of attractions, the greater part of the best contemporary theatrical offerings of the time.
When the Majestic Theater was built, the space over the stores on the northeast corner of Washington Street was fitted up as an auditorium, long known as Assembly Hall.
|
|
|
|
Post by jon hynes on Mar 25, 2009 22:29:53 GMT -5
 The Orpheum Majestic looking East on Lafayette |
|
|
|
Post by jon hynes on Mar 25, 2009 22:30:32 GMT -5
The entrance was from a flight of stairs from Washington Street. These led to the auditorium itself, underneath a balcony. Paul F. Kallies did the decorative work. A series of clusters of American beauty roses were painted on the ceiling in the center of the room, and an allegorical picture representing comedy and tragedy occupied the space over the proscenium arch and extended up the coved ceiling. The only exposed wall was on the Lafayette Street side, and light during the day was obtained from the number of large windows there. In this hall, Wilmer Vincent began their long successful career as theatrical agents and proprietors.
Sidney Wilmer and Walter Vincent were vaudeville actors when the former came to visit his sister, Mrs. E. W. Wright, who resided in the Olbiston apartments early in 1900. During his visit, he received a proposition from Seymour D. Latcher, agent for Owens Brothers, owners of the Majestic Block, to take over the Assembly Hall and operate it as a vaudeville house. They took a lease at $2,000 rental per year and opened it on January 19, 1901 as The Orpheum, enjoying great initial success.
|
|
|
|
Post by jon hynes on Mar 25, 2009 22:31:18 GMT -5
Wilmer Vincent continued to operate the Orpheum until May 1, 1915, when it was taken over as a motion picture house by William P. Donlon. He was a native of Amsterdam, who came to Utica in 1907 at the age of 16; purchased the candy concession at the Majestic and in a few years was assistant manager of the Majestic. The Orpheum continued to enjoy a popular patronage until 1917. About five o'clock in the morning of March 20th, 1917, fire extensively damaged the building and it was not thereafter used as a theater. A second floor motion picture theater was no longer acceptable because of the danger of fire.
|
|
|
|
Post by concerned on Mar 26, 2009 10:01:14 GMT -5
MY God that is beautiful
|
|
|
|
Post by WestmoGuy on Mar 26, 2009 10:21:05 GMT -5
It's so sad that so many of Utica's historic buildings are gone.
|
|
|
|
Post by bobbbiez on Mar 26, 2009 11:06:29 GMT -5
 Jon, was there another Majestic Theater somewhere in Utica? I vaguely remember my grandmother mentioning attending that theater. Just don't know which one or where it was. Or it could possibly be the same one. 
|
|
|
|
Post by jon hynes on Mar 26, 2009 15:12:17 GMT -5
I really don't know of another Majestic Theater in Utica.
A famous Majestic Theater in New York City.
|
|
|
|
Post by jon hynes on Mar 26, 2009 15:14:47 GMT -5
 [1924] |
|
|
|
Post by dgriffin on Mar 26, 2009 17:40:35 GMT -5
I'm confused. Did the Opera House become the Orpheum and then become the Majestic? Or were they different buildings.
|
|
|
|
Post by jon hynes on Mar 26, 2009 18:04:19 GMT -5
I'm confused. Did the Opera House become the Orpheum and then become the Majestic? Or were they different buildings. When Sam S. Shubert took over the lease of the old Opera House on Lafayette Street, a new and even greater era in theatrical entertainment began. During the summer of 1900 the Opera House was torn down until little but the side walls remained intact. Within these was built the Majestic Theater, a dream of splendor. Sidney Wilmer and Walter Vincent were vaudeville actors when the former came to visit his sister, Mrs. E. W. Wright, who resided in the Olbiston apartments early in 1900. During his visit, he received a proposition from Seymour D. Latcher, agent for Owens Brothers, owners of the Majestic Block, to take over the Assembly Hall and operate it as a vaudeville house. They took a lease at $2,000 rental per year and opened it on January 19, 1901 as The Orpheum, enjoying great initial success. First The Opera House Torn Down except for Side walls. Majestic Theater built between the walls Later leased and opened as the Orpheum |
|
|
|
Post by fiona on Mar 27, 2009 16:58:32 GMT -5
Notice the name again, of Mr. Seymour Latcher? He was a prolifigate builder, but I think this venture into Vaudville put the firm into bankruptcy. I know that his firm rebuilt the "Opera Block", but I don't have a lot of info (YET!!!!) on it. But, I will, Oh. In Will. I have the biggest shovel in the universe and I am nothin' but a diggin" fool.
|
|
|
|
Post by dgriffin on Mar 28, 2009 6:55:18 GMT -5
Fiona, "... a diggin' fool." Hahaha! Jon, thanks for the explanation. Sixty cents seems a lot for lunch in 1924. Five or six years later, my mother was working full time at Woolworths for $13 a week, before she got a job at Horrocks Ibbotson. ![]() www.windsweptpress.com/shareweb/HI Mohawk.jpg[/img] |
|
Jon, was there another Majestic Theater somewhere in Utica?
