Front Lobby Ceiling

When I was very small, an aunt took me to see National Velvet at the Warner Theatre. This memory is full of magic for me.  Situated in the center of Downtown Erie, this theatre is grand to anyone’s eyes but especially to those of a small girl from the suburbs.  The velvet seats, the balcony, every surface covered in ornate, art deco detailing, and the parting of the giant, heavy curtains to reveal the screen.  Magic.

A few years later, I was running around the backs of this theatre, feeling possessive of it, as year after year, my dance recitals were held there.  I got to know the nooks and crannies, the back stairs, the decaying dressing rooms.  Standing behind those heavy curtains, awaiting our cue, looking out on the crowd — a new perspective on an old scene.

As an adult, I have seen everything from classical music performances of our Philharmonic to Harry Connick, Jr. to Tori Amos in this majestic space.

And in the past few years, the Warner has been restored to its previous grandeur.  Lucky for us.

One of only four Warner theatres built in 1931 by the Warner brothers for a whopping 1.5 million dollars (think of the time!), this theater has remained a source of city pride, as well as a receptacle for some of my most fond memories throughout the years.