The Tarlton Theatre (formerly West Theater, West Pitcher Show, Historic West Theatre) is an Streamline Moderne theater built around 1925, located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. In 1999, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing property in the Broadway-Walnut Historic District.[3][4][2]
The Tarlton Theatre | |
 The Tarlton Theatre facade and marquee, pictured 2018 | |
| Location | Green Bay, Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 44°30′59″N 88°01′20″W / 44.51637°N 88.02232°W |
| Area | 10,000 square feet (930 m2) area[1] |
| Built | c.1925, 1941 |
| Architect | Perry Crosier |
| Architectural style | Streamline Moderne |
| Part of | Broadway-Walnut Historic District (ID99000817[2]) |
| Designated CP | July 8, 1999 |
History
editWest Theater & West Pitcher Show
editThe theater was originally built as an auto dealership, and was renovated in 1941 by the Standard Theatres Management Corporation to become a single-screen cinema. American movie theater architect Perry Crosier designed the renovation, converting it into "Streamline Moderne" (a type of Art Deco) styling. The cinema was first known as the West Theater, then as the West Pitcher Show from 1987 until it closed on November 25, 2000.[5]
Historic West Theatre
editIn 2000-2001, it was renovated, and reopened by owner Mark Mariucci on February 9, 2001 as the Historic West Theatre, which was described as "a first-run cinema showing independent and arthouse film during the week and a dance club on weekends."[5]
FiveSix Ultra Lounge
editFrom 2005-2007, Green Bay Packers player Nick Barnett converted the venue to a night club called FiveSix Ultra Lounge, which ran into legal problems with the City of Green Bay on numerous occasions, causing its doors to close for over six years.[6][7][8][9]
Funky Monkey
editIn 2011, the theater was purchased by Mary Clare Vanden Boom and Joey Hawthorne, who reopened it as a "computer, pro lighting, and sound systems retail business" called Funky Monkey in November 2013. In 2015, they renovated it to a restaurant and performance venue but subsequently closed due to lack of funding.[10][11][6]
The Tarlton Theatre
edit
In 2018, it was purchased by Tarl Knight and former owner Mark Mariucci, who renamed it The Tarlton Theatre and reopened it as a cinema and performance venue with a restaurant and bar.[6] Renovations took place over six months throughout 2018.[12] Knight stated the theater's mission was to "bring a variety of affordable programming to the area and partner with local nonprofit organizations to support various local causes". Knight would later run for city council and also serve as director of the city's Shipyard District.[13]
In 2022, The Tarlton Theatre announced a partnership with the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay and the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts to start the Weidner Downtown series, which would "bring 'a fresh and eclectic mix of arts and culture offerings to the heart of downtown Green Bay.'"[14]
In 2023, the Green Bay Film Festival announced it would be relocating its festival to The Tarlton Theatre to show its films multiple times a year.[15][4]
References
edit- ^ Lodes, Lori Kaye (August 28, 2022). "Tarlton Theatre breathes life into historic building". The Business News. Northeast Wisconsin.
- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ "100 S BROADWAY". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
- ^ a b "New plaque honors Tarlton Theatre's designation as historic place". Fox 11 News. March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
- ^ a b "History". Tarlton Theatre. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
- ^ a b c Bollier, Jeff (October 18, 2018). "West Theatre to re-open as performance venue". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
- ^ Chadiha, Jeff (November 8, 2007). "Chadiha: Barnett's hard lessons – Off-field drama gives Barnett needed perspective". ESPN.
- ^ Wilde, Jason (October 13, 2006). "Nightclub sale not a harbinger – Nick Barnett wants out of the bar business in Green Bay, but not necessarily the city". Wisconsin State Journal.
- ^ "Nightclub building sold by former Packer Nick Barnett". Milwaukee Business Journal. August 13, 2011.
- ^ Ryman, Richard (January 23, 2015). "Historic West Restaurant to open on West Walnut Street". Green Bay Press-Gazette.
- ^ Ryman, Richard (April 4, 2015). "Funky Monkey owners change theater plans". Green Bay Press-Gazette.
- ^ Bagenda, Cearron (October 19, 2018). "New life for Green Bay's Historic West Theatre". WBAY.
- ^ Bree, Jenna (January 4, 2022). "Tarlton Theatre owner Tarl Knight announces he's running for Green Bay City Council". NBC26.
- ^ Gerds, Warren (March 9, 2022). "New venture starting in Green Bay's Broadway District".
Weidner Center for the Performing Arts, in partnership with The Tarlton Theatre, announced The Weidner Downtown, a new series designed to bring "a fresh and eclectic mix of arts and culture offerings to the heart of downtown Green Bay
- ^ "Green Bay Film Festival finds new home for its 13th year". WNAM. February 6, 2023.
Film Green Bay, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has been bringing the Green Bay Film Festival to Green Bay one time a year and will now have multiple dates year-round thanks to its new home.