The Five-Year-Old Goes to the Movies: The newly renovated Norwood Theatre
As we mentioned last week, the entire Caterpickles Clan is thrilled that after millions of dollars in renovations and two years of very hard work by the theatre’s new owner Susan Lewis, the Norwood Theatre has finally reopened! The grand reopening gala happened August 31st, 2012–85 years after the theatre’s original opening on August 31st, 1927.
The line for the 2 o’clock showing of Mary Poppins when we arrived at the Norwood Theatre on opening weekend. You can’t see it in this photo, but it ended up stretching to the corner. (Photo: Michael Howell)
Although the demands of bedtime (and the dearth of tickets) prevented The Five-Year-Old from attending either the opening gala on Friday night or the performance of the Hal McIntyre Orchestra on Saturday, we at Caterpickles Central have waited far too long for this theater to return to allow its opening to slip by unfeted. Which is why if you had been walking in downtown Norwood at 1:30 on Sunday afternoon you would have seen us waiting in line with various degrees of patience to get into the 2 o’clock showing of Mary Poppins.
The last time I’d been in the theater was years ago, when the previous owner, the Fiddlehead Theatre Company (now located in Dedham Center) performed Fiddler on the Roof there. Daddyo and I were devastated when the theater closed shortly thereafter. Seeing a play or a movie or a concert at our little local theater makes for a fun night out, and I cannot express how grateful I am to Susan Lewis for making it possible once more.
The theater looks spectacular. Here’s a few photos, courtesy of Daddyo’s iPhone, to give you a taste.
The stage at the newly renovated Norwood Theatre. (Photo: Michael Howell)
The ceiling. (Photo: Michael Howell)
The walls. (Photo: Michael Howell)
I loved the meticulous renovation, which has restored the theater to its original 1927 appearance. Daddyo loved the fact that Mary Poppins was shown using the original 1967 film reels — complete with period news clips, concessions advertisements, and Disney cartoon preceding the main event. Not to mention the flickering black spots and intermittent bouts of sepia tones throughout.
(Photo: Michael Howell)
The Five-Year-Old loved the free treats and the fact that there was a balloon-animal artist just waiting to twist a cat for her when the film was over.
All told, a fantastic experience. Which is why when September 15th rolls around, you’ll find us standing in line once again for the Norwood Theatre’s free screening of Albert Lamorisse’s The Red Balloon. Hope to see you there!
Related Links:
- Norwood Theatre opens Labor Day Weekend (Wicked Local)
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3 Responses to “The Five-Year-Old Goes to the Movies: The newly renovated Norwood Theatre”
I used to go to the Norwood Theatre all the time when I was growing up! I saw Tom Cruise for the very first time in “Risky Business”, and then again in “All the Right Moves”, and even Madonna’s flop, “Desperately Seeking Susan”.
Things have changed so much around her since I was a kid, and we’ve lost so many places with such fond memories, that I am thrilled that the new owner decided to renovate the theatre and restore her to her old glory š
I can’t wait to bring the kids there and make some new memories!
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Maybe we’ll see you there Saturday (hard to beat free, and I’m sure it won’t be free forever).
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