The Bay Theater in Suttons Bay MI didn't start life as a theater. It was converted to a theater in 1946 by Bion Rockwell. It has be retsored to original condition.
The history can be found at" (
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"History of the Bay Theatre
A Nickelodeon Theatre was operated at 320 St. Joseph in the first decades of the twentieth century. Anecdotal stories tell of traveling exhibitors utilizing community halls or stretching sheets between trees in the county.
Originally The Bay Theatre was home to a number of commercial enterprises built in 1920 with wood from Elmer Peterson Sawmill. It was home to Hansen Brothers Hardware, a blacksmith - livery business and Suttons Bay's Volunteer Fire Department. Empty during WWII it was transformed into a movie theatre in 1946 by Bion Rockwell. The floor was dropped into the basement and given a raked hardwood floor that it still retains. American Body-form seats were installed. The standard of the industry in the 40's & 50's they were refurbished and are still in use today.
Rockwell sold the theatre in 1958 and joined the ministry. It continued as a seasonal theatre running commercial fare and Spanish films for the migrant cherry pickers that came to the area prior to mechanical harvesting in 1969.
The Bahle Family purchased The Bay in 1976 and spent two years renovating which included the addition of stage facilities. The grand opening took place in the spring of 1978 with a live show featuring Harry Blackstone the Magician.
The Bay Theatre retains a turn-of-the century look, original seats and hardwood floors. The state of the art sound system, 16mm and 35mm film projection are used to present Hollywood hits, contemporary and foreign films, live performances and the Beyond The Bay Film Series.
General Admission
$8.50 Adults
$7.50 Seniors (65 years+)
$6.50 Children (under 12 years)
Please, no children under 2 years
Matinees (showtimes before 5pm)
$6.50 Adults and Seniors
$5.50 Children (under 12 years)
Theatre Stats
Seating for 271
HPS-4000 Sound System (the only installation in Michigan)
Visit Website: www.hps4000.com
Full Theatrical Stage
Full Concession Stand