Vista Theater Here to Stay
Historic Vista Theater still thrives in modern era despite new technology.
Negaunee,Mi – In the Upper Peninsula there is a lot of history and especially in one town, Negaunee Mi. In Negaunee there is a theater that was originally built in 1925 called the Vista Theater and to this day it is still open and running. The theater was originally built as a Vaudeville and a movie theater said Al Keefer the Executive Manager of the theater.
Interior view of the movie screening room at the historic Vista Theater in Negaunee, MI. (photo by Georgette Breen)
“Not to many theaters were built with the ability to do both, ” Keefer said. “At the time the Vista was one of the finest theaters in the country.”
The people from the nearby town, Ishpeming, would even take a train to see the newest movie at the Vista. The theater has also had some stars perform such as Victor Borge, Bela Lugosi and Gene Autry are just a few.
Over the years the theater has under gone some renovations for example, like putting in a heated system and a new roof.
“PAAC had all the windows and doors restored and had a lot of the lighting and electric upgraded,” Keefer said. “Upgrade the Theater to be able to show movies again was a big labor intensive renovation.”
They also built a thrift shop next to the theater called The Vista Thrift Shop. The thrift shop earns a little extra money for the theater on a daily basis.
The ticket window of the Vista Theater reflects it’s historic past. (photo by Georgette Breen)
While there has been many plays performed at the Vista Theater Keefer said the first production of Grease sold out seven performances.
“We had to find room to put people in the balcony,” Keefer said. “Rocky Horror is also up there with the most known, it certainly is the play we have done the most and people still love it!”
The Vista began showing movies back in 1926 and the first movie to be shown was called Sparrows.
“Sparrows is a 1926 American silent film about a young woman who recuses a baby from kidnappers starring Mary Pickford,” Keefer said. “By the 1970s most movie theaters started having financial troubles including the Vista.”
Once the start of cable television and video became popular it was tough for theaters to compete. In the Upper Peninsula alone we lost two in downtown Escanaba, two in downtown Marquette and one in downtown Ishpeming.
“When Multiplexes started popping up all over,” Keefer said. “We lost a lot of great old movie theaters.”
Through the rise of cable television the Vista Theater was able to stay open. In 1973 the Peninsula Arts Appreciation Counsel started. Keefer said the PAAC has two main goals, one of them being to support all forms of arts and entertainment in the Upper Peninsula and secondly to try and restore the historic Vista Theater.
“Since 1973, PAAC has put on over 200 plays,” Keefer said. “And over a 1,000 performances of all types, music, dance, art and of especially theater.”
An old organ resides inside the Vista Theater. (photo by Georgette Breen)
Keefer said the PAAC started fundraising two years ago for a digital movie projector, a screen, and necessary equipment for The Vista theater to show movies again.
“With donations from community members, Kennecott and CCI, we have reached our goal,”Keefer said. “Many residents from Negaunee and Marquette County have found memories of going to see movies at the Historic Vista Theater located in downtown Negaunee”
Their goal is for people to experience a movie in an old theater where the ticket and concession prices are affordable for individuals and especially families Keefer said.
The Vista Theater began showing movies on Saturday, July 5th when they put Casablanca on the big screen. To see a list of what movies will be played check out their website at www.vistatheater.org
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