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Kenosha Theatre (photo credit After the Final Curtain)

Kenosha Theatre

Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA

First Opened: 1st September 1927 (97 years ago)

Closed: 21st April 1963

Atmospheric Style: Spanish Castle

Architect: Larry P. Larsen

Website: kenoshatheatre.org Link opens in new window

Address: 5913 6th Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53143 Link opens in new window


Overview

Auditorium in 1927
Auditorium in 1927

The 2,300-seat Kenosha Theatre opened at the start of September 1927 with vaudeville acts and the silent film The Irresistible Lover (1927) Link opens in new window.

The theatre was built at a cost of $750,000 formed part of the Milwaukee Theatre Circuit, and was commissioned by Carl Laemmle, co-founder of Universal Pictures.

The Kenosha was built in an Atmospheric style with a Spanish castle design, supposedly to resemble the Alcazar castle in Segovia, Spain, rumored to be the inspiration for Cinderella’s castle at Walt Disney World. The theatre was equipped with a 3-manual Wurlitzer theatre organ, opus 1696.

The theatre closed on 21st April 1963.

This theatre still stands today, but has suffered severe water damage. A new roof was placed on the building in the early-2000’s which has slowed the wear and tear of time. A non-profit group has again begun the process of fundraising to try to restore this building.

Further Reading

Online

Historic Photos & Documents
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Text copyright © 2017-2024 Mike Hume / Historic Theatre Photos.

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