The NorShore Theater began life as a vaudeville house where, legend has it, Charlie Chaplin performed for the first time in America. The theater also hosted a number of other vaudeville acts into the first part of the twentieth century when silent films and finally “talkies” became all the rage and it became necessary to change with the times or close. Many smaller theaters in Duluth closed, but the larger ones like the NorShore, Lyceum, Granada and Lenox were repurposed as movie theaters.
The name of the theater was changed from the Orpheum Theater to the NorShore Theater and the main entrance was changed from being on Second Avenue East to Superior Street. The entire building was remodeled and the décor changed from being baroque to art deco and it was, and will again be spectacular. One might ask whether restoration to the baroque style might be more appropriate; however, theaters in the baroque style are very commonplace, while there are very few art deco theaters in the United States…not to mention that the change to art deco was made in 1940 or seventy six years ago.
The original owner of the theater was Guilford Hartley, a contemporary and business partner of Chester Congdon. It was Guilford and his son, Cavour, who engaged nationally known architects Leibenberg and Kaplan in 1940 to completely renovate and update the building in the art deco style.
Roll the clock forward to the present time and the theater is again being renovated…this time, the art deco interior will be retained and restored to its 1940’s jaw dropping splendor. Rest assured that the restoration will be done well…local general contractors, Johnson-Wilson Constructors and local architects TDK are following the guidelines set down by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the State of Minnesota’s Historic Preservation office. The rules and procedures for the historic restoration of a property which will benefit from the use of both state and federal tax credits are strict and very unbending…but worth the effort because they amount to forty percent of the total investment. While the project will be a not for profit organization, those credits can be sold to an investor who can utilize them.
The restoration is expected to cost thirty five million dollars, with $30.5 provided by the State of Minnesota and New Market and the above mentioned Historic Tax Credits. In addition to this funding, the Duluth Playhouse is currently raising an additional 4.5 million dollars locally to furnish the theater with the items needed to put on first class plays and other events. The theater will have 650 seats, twice the size of the Playhouse’s current space and about half the size of Symphony Hall at the DECC. It is anticipated the the Playhouse will perform some productions here will retaining their space in the Depot. The Duluth –Superior Symphony Orchestra’s chamber component as well as smaller productions of the Minnesota Ballet, the Lyric Opera of the North and many others will likely utilize the space. The space will also be offered to business’ for meetings and conventions.
Projections are that over 100,000 patrons will utilize the theater each year. The expected impact of the restored theater is very significant. The building will be connected to Greysolon Plaza as well as the parking ramp to the east by a skywalk. The NorShor will also house two reception lounges, a bar, ticket office and gift shop as well as the usual amenities for a space such as this like an orchestra pit, dressing rooms, offices and rehearsal studios and a Superior Street ticket office.
In cities all across American when a theater has been restored, the surrounding area has also been revitalized. In Duluth, the area has already undergone much revitalization with the Zeitgeist entertainment complex across the street, the Blind Pig down the block and the immensely popular Black Water Lounge right next door. It is anticipated that other storefronts which are now vacant will be spruced-up and leased to restaurants, bars and small retail shops making this area truly the home to the arts and entertainment community.
The theater is expected to be completed in about a year and you can rest assured that it will once again be alive with laughter, family entertainment and host to Duluth’s ever expanding social scene.