Chevy Chase residents preserve historic theater
Natosha Bratcher/Contributing writer
Issue date: 8/30/09 Section: Arts and Entertainment
Two majestic mahogany colored doors greet patrons as they enter the lobby of the refurbished Avalon Theatre in historic Chevy Chase. Burgundy painted walls with gold gilded trim give the theater that old-time feel. The cream ceiling features wine-red striping, with two golden painted daisies atop wine-colored circle backdrops.
Glass boxes, lined in gold bordering encase posters of current movie attractions. One attraction reads "Public Enemies," starring Johnny Depp. The documentary is based on the life and career of Gertrude Berg, the writer and creator of the popular 1930s family base sitcom, "The Goldbergs." Also playing is "Cold Souls," starring Paul Giamatti. The upcoming attraction is "Julie and Julia," a movie based on the life of chef Julia Childs, starring Meryl Streep.
Through the lobby, the main theater continues with the old time feel. The color scheme of cream, gold, and mahogany with some green added. Deep forest green picks back up at the start of the ceiling, leading into a dome in the middle of the theatre ceiling. The dome is a Sistine chapel-like structure, featuring a bright yellow sun peaking from behind soft pillowy clouds and three angels playing with a reel of film.
Chevy Chase residents love their creation, which gives them a sense of accomplishment in preserving a neighborhood theater, which had fallen on hard times at the beginning of this decade.
"We like the idea of preservation and keeping neat places like the Avalon around," said local resident Dee Cardiff.
The seating and the décor of the Avalon theatre are what make it unique and a superior alternative to commercial theaters. The main theater sports 428 plush seats for guests to sit back and relax, though the seats are not set up in a stadium seating design. The aisles are much wider than those of the commercial cineplexes. The 41-feet-wide and 19-feet-tall screen adds the final touch to the movie-going experience.
According to Avalon moviegoer Susan Linsky, they are the most comfortable seats in an historic theater. Almost all of the cushioned chairs have a gold plaque on the back of them. The plaque carries the name of the person who purchased the seat in a fund-raising drive. Some contributors even named their seats after the late famed actors Doris Day and Rock Hudson.
Glass boxes, lined in gold bordering encase posters of current movie attractions. One attraction reads "Public Enemies," starring Johnny Depp. The documentary is based on the life and career of Gertrude Berg, the writer and creator of the popular 1930s family base sitcom, "The Goldbergs." Also playing is "Cold Souls," starring Paul Giamatti. The upcoming attraction is "Julie and Julia," a movie based on the life of chef Julia Childs, starring Meryl Streep.
Through the lobby, the main theater continues with the old time feel. The color scheme of cream, gold, and mahogany with some green added. Deep forest green picks back up at the start of the ceiling, leading into a dome in the middle of the theatre ceiling. The dome is a Sistine chapel-like structure, featuring a bright yellow sun peaking from behind soft pillowy clouds and three angels playing with a reel of film.
Chevy Chase residents love their creation, which gives them a sense of accomplishment in preserving a neighborhood theater, which had fallen on hard times at the beginning of this decade.
"We like the idea of preservation and keeping neat places like the Avalon around," said local resident Dee Cardiff.
The seating and the décor of the Avalon theatre are what make it unique and a superior alternative to commercial theaters. The main theater sports 428 plush seats for guests to sit back and relax, though the seats are not set up in a stadium seating design. The aisles are much wider than those of the commercial cineplexes. The 41-feet-wide and 19-feet-tall screen adds the final touch to the movie-going experience.
According to Avalon moviegoer Susan Linsky, they are the most comfortable seats in an historic theater. Almost all of the cushioned chairs have a gold plaque on the back of them. The plaque carries the name of the person who purchased the seat in a fund-raising drive. Some contributors even named their seats after the late famed actors Doris Day and Rock Hudson.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Paul Brogan
posted 9/01/09 @ 2:54 PM EST
Very nice story and it sounds like a wonderful place to visit. One correction, however. You refer to the late actors Doris Day and Rock Hudson. Miss Day is very much alive and well. (Continued…)
writing papers
posted 9/02/09 @ 6:35 AM EST
very appreciating informative
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