The historic State Theatre of Boyertown has been brought back to life. Its marquee can now be found lit up, announcing upcoming live performances.
A private event held on Friday, Oct. 25, to celebrate the theater’s reopening and to honor the Maguire Family Foundation for dedicating the theater back to the community. Steve Maguire of West Chester purchased the theater earlier this year and has agreed to lease it to the State Theatre Preservation Society, a nonprofit group formed by Charles Haddad, for 20 years at $1 per year.
The Friday evening event highlighted how the theater connects with various parts of the community such as the schools, churches, and young artists. Several groups participated such as the combined Boyertown Junior High Chorus.
Following the performances, Charles Haddad and Mayor Marianne Deery recognized Steve Maguire and his foundation.
“It was amazing” said Maguire. “You work for three months in an empty theater that needs a lot of work, people working construction, and finally it looks beautiful. But none of that, the thrill of seeing it come together, even came close to seeing the seats fill up and to see people walk across the stage. And what was our stage to work on suddenly became their stage and the audience’s stage. It was suddenly taken over and became alive.”
“It was overwhelming,” said Mayor Marianne Deery about the dedication. “The program and how it was listed, each segment of how Boyertown’s history and music progressed – the talent was unbelievable.” That evening she shared her own experiences of taking part in in a school play and was in awe that night as she stood on stage to present a gift to Maguire.
Maguire said the evening was very emotional, something he did not expect.
“This empty, dead theater suddenly was alive. That was the biggest thrill at all. It suddenly moves out of my hands and into the hands of the people managing the theater.”
Since purchasing the building earlier this year, he has spent the last three months fixing it up. The renovation work is nearly complete. One of the final remaining projects is to build a new projection room. He expects it will only take a few days to complete.
The original projector room, in the back and now unusable, is going to be preserved in a museum fashion. All of the equipment will remain in place and cleaned up so visitors will have a chance to see the old technique of showing film.
Air conditioning and new electrical wiring have been installed as a part of the renovation. The seats have been repaired and shampooed, the original lights have received new glass panels and LED light bulbs, and the ceiling has been painted. New curtains have been placed strategically between the murals.
“It was quite a project,” said Maguire, explaining how the restoration was something he wanted to do himself. “It’s fun to do and I love doing it. I love to see it preserved.”
With family ties to the area, Maguire described Boyertown as a second home and his is role as landlord will continue as the The State Theater Preservation Society manages the theater’s operations.
Mayor Deery added, “My dream for Boyertown is that it be a walking town, the state theater will be making my dream a reality. Personally I refer to the State as a ‘Stately Lady.'”
The nonprofit group has most recently raised the funds needed for a digital projector. In spring 2017, the State Theatre will be operate as a second-run theater. The theater is now hosting a series of live events. Visit <statetheatrepreservation.com> to find out what’s coming up.
See photo gallery at <http://media.berksmontnews.com/2016/11/07/photos-state-theatre-of-boyertown-reopens>.
