The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1920-08-12
Virginian Theatre Com
pany and Joseph G. Rhode
Merge Their Interests.
TO START WORK SOON.
New Theatre to Be Built with
Main ST. Entrance-Will Be
Pride of Southern Wis.


coming to Kenosha and it is coming
as a memorial to the Kenosha men
who gave their lives and their sacri-
fees for world democracy.
"The Legion Theatre" will rise its
stately walls in Kenosha within the
next twelve months as a memorial to
the men who served and to meet the
for modern theatre. Announcement
to this effect was made this morning.
1t was the announcement of merger
of the interests of Joseph G. Rhode of
the Rhode Opera House, pioneer in the
amusement world of Kenosha and of
the Virginian Theatre company, repre-
sented by Edward and Fred Dayton.
To Incorporate at Once.
Papers for the incorporation of the
Legion Amusement Company, Incor-
porated" will be forwarded to Madison
before the end of the present week.
The new company will be incorporated
with stock of no par value but it is
announced today that already more
than 100000 Of the stock has been
subscribed and the carrying out of the
plans of the new amusement company
will entail an expenditure of more
than half million dollars. The COM
pany will control three threatres in
Kenosha, including the new Legion
Theatre, the Rhode Opera House and
the Virginian Theatre. The business
of the two existing theatres will in no
way be discontinued with the erection
of the new and modern playhouse but
on the other hand these theatres will
be completely remodeled and redecor-
ated in order to have them in condi-
ton to meet demands of the city.
Announce Plans Today.
Plans for the new amusement COM
pany were made public this morning
by Mr.. Rhode and the Dayton brothers.
/ "We want it understood that we are
prepared to go forward with the work
on the enterprise at once" was the
statement. "The plans for this new
theatre will be started tomorrow morn
ing when one of the best known thea
tire architects in the country will be
here. We plan that the work on it will
go forward just as rapidly as possible
and we expect to have the new Legion
Theatre ready for opening in less than
twelve months. The encourag EN- ent
which we have received from people
who have purchased stool. in the COM
pany has been remarkable and we can
say that we already have more than
100000 worth Of the stock subscribed.
The new Legion Theatre is to have a
seating capacity of 1000 people. 1t is
to be the very last word in theatre
building. 1t will be erected on the
site in the rear of the Rhode Opera
House. The site is 95 by 165 feet and
in addition the theatre will have a
spacious lobby and entrance on Main
street at what is now 1872 Main street.
just opposite the First National Bank.
This will be the main entrance to the
Legion Theatre and the large site will
make it possible for the builders to
meet every suggestion Of the state for
exits and other provisions for the
safety of the people"
Uses of the New Showhouse.
"While the stage of the new Legion
Theatre will be large enough to accom-
modate the largest Of the travelling
companies, we want it understood that
the theatre will be. used largely for
the presentation Of feature moving
pictures and for the highest grade of
vaudeville known to the producing cir
cults of the country. It is the plan
of the management to have program
similar, but we hope even better than
has been in vogue at the Rialto Thea
tire in Racine. With the building of
the new theatre the Rhode and the
Virginians will not be closed. They are
to be remodeled and redecorated so
| that they may be used for road shows,
pictures and vaudeville and in aGdi-
tion for the large number of home
talent entertainm which are at all
| times seeking theatre accomm odations.
We hope to have these houses, prove
interesting to people who are arrang-
ing for courses of lectures and other
entertainments These two theatres
will be maintained at all times in the
best possible manner to meet the de-
mands for which they are to be set
aside"
The company is to offer splendid or
chestras as feature of the business
and musicians for three orchestras are
now being brought together.
at is impossible to give out all the
names Of the men interested in this
big project for Kenosha," said Joseph
G. Rhode. "We have the names of
scores of men who have shown an in
terest in the project and who have
shown their willingness to back the
project with financial aid. We have
the money in sight for the carrying
out of the entire plan and we can give
the assurance that the work will go
forward without interruption. Of
course, it is going to take some time
to complete the plans and specifca-
tions and have everything ready to
start building but We plan to have the
new building well under way by the
close Of the year"
KENOsHA CO. BEE ASSOCIATION
Will hold a meeting to be held at
Mr.. Marvin Acker's home, Salem, Wis,
May goth, at p. m. Mr.. H. L. Nc