page_title: Akron Civic Theatre
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Akron Civic Theatre / History
caption_attribution_description: English: Akron Civic Theatre, house view from balcony. This image show the stars and projected clouds. Photography by Nat Napoletano, May 2013
context_page_description: The Akron Civic Theatre is a theater in Akron, Ohio. It is one of only sixteen remaining atmospheric theatres designed by John Eberson in the United States and is an excellent example of the great movie palaces of the 1920s. The Akron Civic Theatre is the last remaining theater of 11 opened by Marcus Loew, founder of the Loew's theater chain. The Civic is located on South Main Street in Akron and can hold 2,592 people. The theater has been exhibiting shows and special events for 91 years.
context_section_description: The theater began as a planned project to be known as "The Hippodrome," commissioned by Akron dance hall owner L. Oscar Beck. Beck envisioned a 3,000-seat theater with thirty stores and restaurants lining its arcade. He began construction on the Hippodrome's lobby in 1919, but by 1921, the project was bankrupt. The lobby stood alone, with its theater end boarded-up, for a decade. In 1925 Marcus Loew visited Akron and chose the Hippodrome Theatre site for the creation of a new theater. He purchased the abandoned lobby and nearby land at a Sheriff's auction for $143,000.
  The theater was designed by the famous theater architect John Eberson. The auditorium of Akron's Loew's Theatre was designed to resemble a night in an open-air Moorish garden. Twinkling stars and drifting clouds travel across the domed ceiling. Located on Akron's Main Street, the theater's entrance lobby extends over the Ohio and Erie Canal. The theater has a small multi-colored terra cotta façade dominated by a large marquee. The interior of the entrance and lobby is designed to resemble a Moorish castle with Mediterranean decor, complete with medieval style carvings, authentic European antiques, and Italian alabaster sculptures. A grand full-sized Wurlitzer Theatre organ hidden beneath the stage rises to the stage level on a special lift.
  Many significant events have occurred over the years for the Civic. In 1964 the Kelly Operating Company leased the theater, only to be bought out soon after by the Akron Jaycees. The Women's Guild purchased and brought live theater back. In 1984 the Civic had a lien placed on them by the IRS because they were $650,000 in debt. The following year Clarence Randall, retired CEO of M. O'Neil Co., was brought in to eliminate the debt. After the renovation in 2002, the Civic celebrated its reopening with comedian Tim Conway. Then in 2004 the Civic celebrated its 75th anniversary.
  Akron's Devo played there in '79, The Pretenders (with Akron's Chrissie Hynde) played there in 2000, The Black Keys played there in '07, and Warrant (with members from Akron) played there in '17.
caption: View from balcony
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