28 January, 2010

Mr. Doane, Tear Down That Wall



The Orpheum is returning to its single screen roots.

There is no definite timeline yet, but owner Henry Doane said Tuesday that the downtown icon will return to a one-screen theater format, choosing instead to focus on more live performances by musical theater companies, musical acts and comedians.

"Broadway-style productions, dance recitals, ballets or operas even - those type of things we'd like to focus more on in the future," Doane said.

Doane said the Orpheum will still show films, listing options like retrospectives and smaller film festivals.


Considering the loss, I'd say the added variety will be Madison's gain. When was the last time a commercial theatre in Madison gave a run to an old film that had been re-released? (Film festivals don't count.) It's been a while. Perhaps during Westgate's last gasp when they screened DVDs. Movies aside, I think adding more live performances of every stripe is a great idea.

I just know the folks in Squonk Opera are dying to return to Madison.

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