Angola's Historic Theater: A Cultural Landmark

The New Angola Theatre, located at 72 N. Main Street in Angola, New York, was a beloved movie theatre in the community. Built in 1924, the theatre underwent a tasteful renovation in 2002, preserving its Neo-Classical style and original charm while adding modern improvements. Unfortunately, the theatre closed in December 2021 and was put up for sale, leaving residents with memories of its comfortable atmosphere and elegant features, such as grey velvet seats and neon lighting.

The New Angola Theatre was designed by architect George E. Eichenlaub in a Neo-Classical style

The New Angola Theatre, located at 72 N. Main Street in Angola, New York, was designed by architect George E. Eichenlaub in a Neo-Classical style. Built in 1924, the theatre showcases Eichenlaub's Neo-Classical design aesthetic, which he dubbed "Standard Theaters". Eichenlaub wrote about his theatre design philosophy in several 1930 articles for Motion Picture Times, describing a 500-seat theatre in a small town 18 miles from a major city—a description that fits Angola's proximity to Buffalo.

The New Angola Theatre first opened as the Angola Theatre, and later operated as the New Regent Theatre before closing in 1995. After extensive renovations, it reopened in 2002 as the New Angola Theatre. The renovation preserved the theatre's original charm while adding modern improvements. The theatre's coved neon lighting, reminiscent of other Western New York theatres, and the addition of wood trim and wall sconces, enhanced the overall aesthetic. The seating capacity was reduced from 509 to 393, creating a more comfortable experience.

The theatre's exterior also received a facelift, with new wall sound curtains added to enhance the audio experience without compromising the building's original character. The interior drapes and curtains of the screen were carefully preserved, maintaining a connection to the theatre's past. The washrooms were enlarged and renovated, and the seats were reupholstered in elegant grey velvet, creating a sophisticated and inviting atmosphere.

The New Angola Theatre, with its Neo-Classical design, comfortable seating, and tasteful renovations, offered a unique and appealing cinematic experience. Unfortunately, the theatre closed in December 2021 and was put up for sale. Despite its closure, the New Angola Theatre stands as a testament to George E. Eichenlaub's Neo-Classical architectural vision and his contribution to theatre design in the early 20th century.

The theatre opened in 1924 as the Angola Theatre, but closed in 1995

The New Angola Theatre, located at 72 N. Main Street in Angola, NY, has a long history in the community. The theatre first opened its doors in 1924 under the name Angola Theatre. For decades, it served as a beloved cultural hub for the town, providing entertainment and creating memories for generations of Angolans. However, in 1995, the theatre closed its doors, falling silent for a time.

The building sat vacant for several years until a renovation and rebirth took place. In 2002, the theatre reopened with a new name—the New Angola Theatre. This renovation was a labour of love, carefully preserving the theatre's past while adding necessary modern improvements. The result was a vast improvement, with comfortable seating, enhanced audio and visual experiences, and a larger washroom. The original screen curtains and draping were also preserved, maintaining a connection to the theatre's rich history.

The new iteration of the theatre featured a reduced seating capacity of 393, down from the original 509. It operated as a non-profit venture, screening movies from Friday to Tuesday, with one show per day. The exterior of the building also underwent changes, with the addition of new wall sound curtains that preserved the theatre's original charm while enhancing its functionality.

Unfortunately, despite the extensive and costly renovations, the New Angola Theatre closed its doors once again in December 2021. The building was put up for sale, and its future remains uncertain. However, the theatre's legacy and impact on the community of Angola will always be remembered, and it stands as a testament to the resilience and cultural significance of performing arts venues in small towns across the country.

After renovations, it reopened in 2002 as the New Angola Theatre

The Angola Theatre, located at 72 N. Main Street in Angola, New York, first opened in 1924. After operating for almost seven decades, the theatre closed in 1995. However, it wasn't the end for the historic venue. In 2002, after extensive renovations, the theatre reopened its doors to the public as the New Angola Theatre.

The renovation works carefully blended new, necessary improvements with the preservation of the theatre's past charm. The interior of the theatre underwent a tasteful transformation, including the installation of coved neon lighting, reminiscent of other Western New York theatres. The seats were reupholstered in elegant grey velvet, providing a comfortable and luxurious movie-watching experience. The washrooms were enlarged and completely refurbished, with new fixtures and fittings, including wood trim and wall sconces, enhancing the overall ambiance.

To ensure optimal acoustics and an immersive experience, exterior wall sound curtains were strategically added, although not extensively, as the renovation team wanted to retain much of the theatre's original character. The screen's original curtains and draping were also preserved, honouring the theatre's rich history. The seating capacity was adjusted, with the theatre now accommodating 393 patrons, a reduction from the original 509 seats.

The New Angola Theatre operated until December 2021, when it closed and the building was put up for sale. Despite its closure, the theatre remains a beloved landmark in Angola, New York, with its Neo-Classical style and rich history, attracting locals and visitors alike.

The theatre closed again in December 2021 and was put up for sale

The New Angola Theatre, located at 72 N. Main Street, Angola, NY, has had a long history of operation, with some closures and renovations along the way. The theatre first opened its doors in 1924 as the Angola Theatre but later closed in 1995. After a period of renovation and rejuvenation, it reopened in 2002 as the New Angola Theatre, offering a tasteful blend of modern improvements and preserved historical charm.

The New Angola Theatre boasted a Neo-Classical style, designed by the renowned architect George E. Eichenlaub. The theatre's seating capacity was reduced from 509 to 393, allowing for more spacious and comfortable seating. The seats were beautifully reupholstered in grey velvet, and the washrooms were enlarged and renovated. The theatre also retained its original screen curtains and draping, adding to the overall aesthetic appeal.

However, the theatre closed its doors once more in December 2021 and was put up for sale. This closure marked the end of a chapter for the beloved community space, leaving residents and movie enthusiasts alike with memories of the unique cinematic experience it offered. The reasons for the closure and subsequent sale are not publicly known, but it stands as a reminder of the challenges faced by theatres and the ever-changing landscape of entertainment.

During its years of operation, the New Angola Theatre played host to a variety of movies, from blockbusters to independent releases. It provided a space for people to escape into the world of cinema, offering a combination of modern amenities and old-school theatre charm. Its closure and potential sale sparked a range of emotions among patrons, with some expressing sadness at the loss of a familiar landmark and others reminiscing about their experiences within its walls.

While the future of the New Angola Theatre remains uncertain, its impact on the community and the memories it helped create will endure. The theatre's unique architecture, comfortable seating, and blend of old and new will be remembered by all who had the pleasure of experiencing it.

Nearby theatres include the Hamburg Palace Theatre and the Dipson McKinley Mall 6

The Angola Theatre, located at 72 N. Main Street, Angola, NY, was built in 1924 and closed in 1995. It reopened as the New Angola Theatre in 2002, but it appears that this theatre is now also closed.

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