Greenwood Theatre
Greenwood Theatre
It is a settled fact that Greenwood will have a nice new theater building erected at an early date. Messrs P. D. Montjoy and P. E. Schilling have recently purchased the desirably located lots between the Elks' Home and Fountain's store as a site for the proposed play house, and the contract for the erection of the building will be let within a few days, we are pleased to learn.
These gentlemen have had plans and specifications made for two buildings-one for an up-to-date $7,000 moving picture show house and the other for a modern combination theatre and picture show play-house, to cost $20,000.
Their proposition to the people of Greenwood is for them to contribute $5,000 toward the enterprise and the $20,000 building will be erected. $1,500 of the desired amount has already been subscribed, and the remainder must be forthcoming within the next few days, or Messrs. Montjoy and Schilling will proceed to let the contract for a $7,000 picture show house on the lots purchased.
Greenwood is a good show town, and she has been sadly in need of a play-house for years. And this is a splendid opportunity for all who want a first-class theater to get it in time for the coming theatrical season.
From the Greenwood Commonwealth, August 23, 1912
Ground was broken Monday preparatory to laying the foundation of the $20,000 new Opera House to be erected by Messrs. P. E. Schilling and P. D. Montjoy.
The plans were made by Architect H. Eely, of Memphis, and Messrs. H. L. Walden & Co., of this city are the contractors. The work will be pushed rapidly and the contractors hope to have the theatre ready for occupancy during the week of Christmas, if weather conditions are favorable.
The theatre, furnishings, appointments, etc., will cost $20,000, and will occupy a 55 foot strip on Washington Avenue, between the Elks Home and Fountain's stores, and will be a two story structure.
The first floor will contain a lobby, box office, check rooms, ladies apartments, delicatessen nooks, and other appointments accessory to the front lobby of the modern theatre, together with a small office, which will be either occupied by the management or for rental purposes. The seating capacity of the parquet will be enhanced by the balcony and four boxes, accommodating fully 850 people, and the stage will be 30x50x52, the 52 foot elevation for the scenery being the standard regulation for the large size attractions.
Mr. Schilling is negotiating with a syndicate for the opening show, and hopes to stage it one evening during the Christmas holidays. It will be the plan of the theatre to give one up-to-date clean play every week, and the other evenings of the week will be devoted to motion picture productions. Two machines of the highest efficiency will be installed, an orchestra secured, and the best and latest of pictures given. Mr. Schilling especially emphasizes the fact that none but the plays of high moral tone, clean in every minute of production, and in every way worthy of patronage from an intellectual theatre-going public would be offered. He says that only $3000 of the $5000 asked for has been subscribed, but he and Mr. Montjoy had shouldered the responsibility with that subscription, with the hope that when the building was under way of construction and the people had seen for themselves that the venture was a reality would not be backward in contributing the balance desired. From now until the completion of the building they will try to secure the additional $2000. These gentlemen deserve high commendation for their indefatigable work in scoring this achievement, perfecting a venture that has met with so many failures heretofore.
From the Greenwood Commonwealth, October 4, 1912
The opening of the Greenwood Theatre teems with promise to be the most auspicious event of many seasons in the "Queen City of the Delta". In the first place, the prettiest, most magnificent, and most modernly appointed playhouse is to be auspiciously opened with a corking good comedy, and one of the celebrated theatre orchestras of the South is to add harmony to the brilliance of the event.
Day and night crews are working indefatigably towrds having the new opera house in readiness for the opening attraction, "The Love Affair", and Messrs. Walden & Co. are receiving open praise from all sources for their splendid work and the rapidity with which it is being rushed to completion. A good inspection of this playhouse will prove to you that Greenwood has the most sumptuous thespian quarters for good shows of any city in the state, and it is an improvement for which we are all duly grateful.
Management of the theatre has secured the services of Saxby's Band of Memphis for the opening attraction, in which love comedy Miss. Adelaide Thurston appears in her most appropriate role. Saxby's orchestra is one of the cleverest attractions of the Lyceum's programmes in Memphis, and a visit to the opening show will be well repaid by the pleasure in hearing this splendid orchestra. The management has gone to an exorbitant expense to make this date a big event, and are receiving hardy co-operation from all the theatre going people of the city.
Already a splendid sale has been made of advance seats for the opening attraction, but if you haven't purchased your's for that night, do so at once: and don't let there be a vacant seat on the night of the 16th, for when such a splendid improvment as this has been given our city, we should liberally respond by taxing the house to it's utmost capacity when the curtain makes it's initial rise January 16th.
From the Greenwood Commonwealth, January 3, 1913.
The New Greenwood Theatre was opened last night with Miss Adelaide Thurston in "The Love Affair" as the attraction. The play delighted the first nighters and the new house was successfully started on what it is hoped will be a long and prosperous career.
The opening night was a gala occasion for society and the fashionable set attended en masse, handsomely gowned women and faultlessly clothed men were in evidence, and the well filled house was aglow with the resplendency of the 400.
Miss Thurston captivated the audience by her clever acting, being well supported by an excellent cast. The house was completed on the day of the show and still lacked some of the finishing touches which will make it one of the handsomest play houses in Mississippi. Messrs. Schilling and Montjoy announce that the next attraction will be Margaret Illington in "Kindling".
From the Greenwood Enterprise, January17, 1913