Michael Moore restores old theatre

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http://michaelmoore.com/words/mikeinthenews/index.php?id=10544
December 5th, 2007 12:37 pm
Curtains Rise Again


By Keith Schneider / New York Times

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — When the director Michael Moore moved to northern Michigan from New York City in 2002, the marquee of the State Theater on Front Street here had been dark since 1978. It was a sullen space in this Great Lake city’s central business district.

Last month, the marquee woke up with a splendid billboard of blinking lights and a triumphant message. The message said “Mission Accomplished!” as Mr. Moore and hundreds of residents celebrated the opening of the nearly 11,000-square-foot State Theater as a year-round art-house movie theater.

The $850,000 renovation of the State Theater, which dates to 1916, when it opened as the Lyric, was led by Mr. Moore. He coaxed an army of volunteers and professional electricians, carpet installers, carpenters and other craftsman to execute the project in just six weeks.

Though it was a highly impressive endeavor by an Academy Award-winning director in his adopted community, it was not unique. The State is one of some two dozen historic movie and performing arts theater restorations occurring this year in small cities around the nation, according to the League of Historic American Theaters in Baltimore.

Just as with the State Theater, which is owned and managed by the two-year-old Traverse City Film Festival, founded by Mr. Moore, almost all of the other restorations have been undertaken by nonprofit organizations.

Restoration groups say the rescues of beautiful old theaters reflect dual desires: a devotion to movies and live drama, dance and concerts; and adding value to downtown economies.

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1. Lyric Theater in Harrison AR is an example

a local rock and roll oldies band set 3 World Records in a benefit to save the theater. And they were able to do it! Now the Lyric hosts live stage plays, performing artists, and classic films. It has helped add a lot to the community, and is one reason Harrison is on the list of one of the best small towns in America.