Tower Theatre - Oklahoma City, OK
Posted by: 
hamquilter
N 35° 29.600 W 097° 31.209
14S E 634228 N 3928760
Tower Theatre waking from its long sleep
Waymark Code: WM93RE
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 06/24/2010
Views: 14
The Tower Theatre opened in 1937, on this stretch of Route 66 just West of the Oklahoma State Capitol (23rd Street). The auditorium seated 1500, had a complete working stage, a pipe organ, and billowing, scarlet waterfall stage curtains. It was the best of the best in OKC and one of the largest theaters in the region.
It was renovated in 1953 and again in 1968, when a 70mm projector was installed, and rocking seats. This plush and comfortable theater hosted many traveling stage shows and movies, with "Sound of Music" playing here on a reserved seat basis for almost 2 years.
The theater closed in 1989 and slowly, this area of town began to deteriorate. However, in 2005, current owners, Marty and Mike Dillon purchased the theater and the stores to the west of it. The plan is to completely restore the theater and again show films and live performances. Plans are also to add a second screen and a restaurant next door.
A project is underway to restore this entire area of the city, under the name of "Uptown 23" or "Uptown Oklahoma City," fashioned after the very successful Bricktown area in downtown OKC. To perk interest in this project, the beautiful Tower Theatre neon sign was repaired and lit up again on April 2, 2010. You can visit during the daytime, but a night time visit is well worthwhile.
Articles about the Tower Theatre and its renovation can be found at:
www.rwarn17588.wordpress.com/2010/04/02/tower-theater-again-is-aglow/
www.cinematreasures.org/theater/11609
www.city-data.com/forum/oklahoma-city/543733-tower-theater.html
www.legendsofamerica.com/PicturePages.66OK-OKC-1-TowerTheatre.html
www.dougdawg.blogspot.com/2009/09/tower-theatre.html
www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4182/is_20100401/ai_n53066165/
Year Theater Opened: 1937
Number of Screen(s): 1
Concessions Available: no
Web site: [Web Link]
Ticket Price (local currency): Not Listed
Matinee Price (local currency): Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:
Must take a photo of the theater.
Please try to include yourself or gps in the picture.
Tell of your experience at the theater, if it is still a theater. If it is no longer a theater tell of an experience from the past at the theater, if this can be done.