Since 1921, The Virginia Theatre has been a landmark in the business district of Champaign, and in the history of the region. For 75 years, the 1525 seat theatre has offered entertainment as a vaudeville house, legitimate theatre, and movie house. After over three decades as a movie house primarily, the Theatre made the return to live performances in May of 1991 with a live theatre/concert called Songs of America. The show sold out and they had to turn away 200 people. This was the first show at the theatre since the theatre was dedicated to films only. In January of 2000, the Champaign Park District joined in the efforts to save this prized landmark. After assuming control of the theatre, the Park District embarked on a massive renovation to bring the facility back to its original glory and in compliance with local safety ordinances. After renovations are complete, the Virginia Theatre will continue its tradition of quality entertainment that was sparked by such legendary performers such as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Red Skelton, Will Rogers, W.C. Fields and the Marx Brothers.

The building was commissioned in 1920 by A.W. Stoolman, a prominent local contractor, and designed by theatre architects C. Howard Crane and H. Kenneth Franzheim assisted by local architect George Ramey. Stoolman named the theatre after his daughter Elizabeth Virginia Stoolman. He hoped to create a name that would always bring to mind high class, moral entertainment. The exterior of the building is in the Italian Renaissance style while the interior is of Spanish Renaissance design. Masterfully crafted plaster work adorns the lobby and is repeated in the auditorium's ceiling, door frames, and lighting fixtures. The original exterior was designed to resemble and Italian pavilion. The architect called for yellow and red stripped awnings and trailing vines planted on the storefront roofs to heighten the effect. The interior plaster work includes designs of shields and heraldic symbols. It also includes busts of the Spanish adventurers Cortez, Hernandez, and Alvarado, and the Christian arms of Ferdinand and Isabella. The ceiling dome was originally finished in silver leaf.

In December of 1999, the District received a $900,000 grant for rehabilitation of the theatre from the State of Illinois. At present, the District also received a $50,000 donation from the News-Gazette to restore the projection booth, a $5,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Champaign County to kickoff the capital campaign, as well as a $3,000 grant from Illinois Power to restore the marquee. The District has also received great support from the people and organizations that had previously made loans to the theatre.

EQUIPMENT

Stage: The current Virginia stage is a 28 foot deep trapped floor with a metal gridiron 46 feet above the floor. The proscenium opening is 56 feet wide by 26 feet high. Although it is 28 feet to the back wall, we have 26 feet of usable stage due to the cyc hanging upstage. Backstage is a working piece of theatrical history. The fly system, with pin rail, sandbags, and hemp rope lines remains as a mute testimony to the Virginia Theatre's life as a vaudeville house. Dressing rooms are located both back stage and under the stage.

Organ: Installed during the original construction, the local papers reported its cost as $50,000. No other records exist of its actual cost and according to comparisons of installations around the country, this was probably an exaggeration. The two manual, eight rank Wurlitzer Hope-Jones orchestral organ remains in great working condition. The first staff organist was George May. In the Fall of 1963 David Junchen and Larry Chace began a few years of restoration to the organ. They added stops and replaced the blower giving the organ more wind power. Warren York began the ongoing restoration of the organ in 1988. J.D. Divilbiss, Dave Lammers, Chris Anderson, and Bill Streeter have worked with Mr. York over the years. Click here for more detailed information.

Projector: The Virginia is lucky enough to own a piece of history in its movie projectors. The two Norelco AA II projectors, arguably the finest 35/70-mm projectors ever made, were specifically designed to run "Oklahoma!" They come equipped with twin motors, one for normal 24 frame-per-second films, one for the 30-fps speed used only on the first two Todd AO films. One of these projectors is among several pieces of equipment left behind by GKC Cinemas. It was not installed with the advent of Todd AO in the mid 50's, however. It was installed in the late 70's or early 80's to run films that were available as 70-mm blow-ups from the 35-mm negatives-a common practice of the time. The second projector was installed in 2000. Both projectors were refurbished at that time.

Sound System: The sound system has been reworked. Along with the Voice of the Theatre cabinets, we have new JBL horns and 2 dual 18 JBL subs. 6 QSC Digital Cinema Amplifiers power the system. Thanks to a donation from the WGRC Champaign Rotary Club and Glen Poor Audio, 34 Phase Technology surround speakers were installed in the auditorium in March and April of 2002.
A donation from Digital Theatre Systems (DTS) in September of 2002 has put us in rarified company. We now have a Digital Time Code CD-ROM Special Venue System. This gives us digital 6.1 surround sound capabilities for 70-mm prints such as Patton, as well as 5.1 35-mm surround capabilities. With this addition, the Virginia Theatre has joined a rather elite set of premier movie house such as the Egyptian in Hollywood, the Ziegfield in New York, and the Castro in San Francisco, with the ability to run classic 70-mm multi-channel sound formats in DTS.

Screen: The screen (56' wide by 23' high) was installed in October of 2000. Weighing 1200 lbs., it is raised and lowered with a motor and drum winch assembly installed in November of 2001. The viewable image for cinemascope (are largest format) is 50' wide by 21 ½' high.

Restoration of the Virginia Theatre

Restoring the 90 year-old historic Virginia will take a community-wide effort including the public and private sectors, as well as individuals and businesses. Final renovation costs are based upon competitive bids.

Generous contributions will be critical to making the Virginia's vision a reality. Support will also be gathered from individuals, corporations, local and national foundations, the state of Illinois, and other governing bodies.

A Stable Future

The Virginia has had several owners in her history. In 2000, the Champaign Park District acquired her at the community's request to give her a stable future. Along with its acquisition came $982,916 in debt, of which approximately $715,299 was forgiven by the city of Champaign, and community members and businesses. In addition, an Illinois First Grant of $900,000 sponsored by State Representative Rick Winkel and a $50,000 donation from The News-Gazette have contributed toward improvements to date.

Current daily revenues come from rentals and the ticket restoration fee. Groups are able to rent the theatre for productions, films, concerts, meetings, etc. A $1 restoration fee per ticket has been added to all incoming shows. These funds are directly deposited into the Restoration Fund and will provide a projected estimate of $20,000-$25,000 annually.

In 2002, and annual membership drive began with a direct mail piece sent to homes and businesses in Champaign County. For a minimum donation of $35.00 an individual can become a member of the Virginia Theatre. Benefits include a subscription to the Backstage newsletter, a replica membership card, and a free popcorn. This money will go into the Restoration Fund account.

Envision the Future

Some behind-the-scenes renovations have already been completed. These areas, although not always visible to the community, were necessary to provide a solid foundation for future construction and use. Life safety and patron comfort area already completed include: women's restroom in the lower level, projection booth revisions, roof and safety upgraded, and accessible restrooms on the first floor.

Click Here To Donate to the Restoration of the Virginia Theatre.

Click Here to see some photos of improvements already made.

MEMORABLE DATES:

• December 28, 1921 - Opening night. Performance was a live stage show of the hit mystery "The Bat" by Mary Roberts Rinehart and Avery Hopwood.
• December 29-31, 1921 - First films (silent) were shown. Feature film was "Tol'able David" starring Richard Barthelmess. Also on the program: a Pathe Review, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra (H.M. Weber, conductor), International News Weekly, George May playing the Hope-Jones Orchestral Organ, songs by Genevieve Cadle and Clinton Brown, and another film, "The Boat", starring Buster Keaton.
• March 10, 1929 - Talking pictures first shown at the Virginia using the RCA Photophone system. The Photophone installation cost $20,000. The first picture was "The Last Warning" starring Laura LaPlante.
• May 25, 1930 - RKO begins a long-term lease of the Virginia. The first picture shown by RKO was "Lovin' The Ladies" starring Richard Dix. Also on the program were three acts of RKO Orpheum Vaudeville.
• November 24, 1953 - The Virginia shows its first CinemaScope file, "The Robe" starring Richard Burton and Jean Simmons.
• August 1954 - First 3-D films are shown.
• August 1955 - The entrance and lobby were remodeled at a cost of $20,000. The work included new doors and ticket booth. James J. Murno was the architect and the contractor was C.A. Petry and Sons. This remodel has been the only significant alteration until 2000.
• June 1, 1967 - The Julian Family (Stoolman's daughter) takes back control of the Virginia. They hire Grant Martin as manager. RKO relinquishes control to the Virginia Theatre Company on June 30.
• August 1, 1968 - Kerasotes buys the Virginia. It becomes the 62nd theatre in their chain and the 6th in Champaign-Urbana. The price is rumored to be $25,000 down and $1,000 per month for 10 years. The first movie shown by Kerasotes was "For Love of Ivy" starring Sidney Poitier.
• November 8, 1977 - National touring company performance of the controversial play "Oh! Calcutta."
• 1988 - Warren York began the ongoing restoration of the Wurlitzer Hope-Jones orchestral organ.
• February 13, 1992 - Closed as regular commercial venue for movies. The last movie shown by GKC was "Father of the Bride" starring Steve Martin.
• June 4, 1992 - The Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company is formed specifically to present shows in the Virginia. Their first production was Music Man on this date.
• 1992 to 1996 - David and Sharon Wyper manage the Virginia and book many popular acts proving "there's life in the old girl yet!" These acts include: Alison Krauss, Theodore Bikel, Mark Roberts, the Sinfonia da Camera, Ollie Watts Davis and the University of Illinois Black Chorus, many nationally known Christian artists, and touring companies of Phantom of the Opera, a Chorus Line, and Grease.
• 1995 - The Virginia Theatre Group is formed to own and operate the theatre. This nonprofit group purchased the Virginia in December of 1995.
• April 1999 - The first annual Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival begins. This 5-day event still occurs annually in April.
• January 2000 - Champaign Park District assumes control of the Virginia Theatre.
• 2001 - The Friends of the Virginia Theatre are formed to raise funds for the renovation project. Roger Ebert becomes honorary chair along with co-chairs, Barb Kuhl and Susan Lobdell for the group.
• 2002 - An annual membership drive begins with a direct mail piece sent to homes and businesses in Champaign County. First capital campaign begins.