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The theatre was first opened on Feb. 1st, 1921 as the LYRIC
Theatre by
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Harry Hartman who previously had several other nickelodeons
in Northampton. He opened the 1000 seat Lyric at 20th and
Main Streets to replace his 350 seat Lyric across the street
in order to provide more seating and larger stage accommodations
for vaudeville.
Hit hard by the depression, Hartman sold out in the spring of 1933 to
Clark and Greenberg Theatres of Philadelphia. They closed
the theatre and completely renovated the interior, as well
as the exterior entryway in the popular art deco style. Prominent
Philadelphia theatre architect David Supowitz was hired to
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design the new transformation which included reducing the seating
capacity to 650. The theatre reopened on August 31st, completely
transformed, along with a new name... The Roxy.
The first season the Roxy still saw vaudeville on the stage,
along with wild west shows, minstrels and local productions.
Stage fare was discontinued as a regular part of the programming
in the spring of 1934. Motion pictures were always the main
bill of fare, but live attractions continued to be presented
at various times. Amatuer talent shows hosted by radio station
WSAN were popular on Wednesday evenings during the mid thirties.
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The theatre used every gimmick of the times to keep patrons
coming back. Giveaways included dishes, cosmetics, encyclopedias
and even good old hard cash. These giveaways were continued
well into the late fifties.
The late fifties also saw the return of live entertainment upon the Roxy's stage, when concerts featuring singers Bobby Vinton, Bobby Rydell and Fabian were presented.
In the early sixties after a decade of fierce competition from Television, Clark and Greenberg decided to give up their lease on the theatre, and new management assumed control.
The sixties proved to be almost fatal for the theatre, as the competition from TV and the building of new shopping center theatres caused a decline in both attendance and the physical condition of the building.
By June 1st, 1970 when the theatre was acquired by Angstadt and Wolfe
Theatres, it was only a shadow of its former glory. A&W began
a slow and long drawn-out restoration of the theatre that
still continues to this day. They also reintroduced live entertainment
in the form of concerts, plays, magic shows, dance recitals,
and even a wedding. Artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Billy
Joel,
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John Belushi, Blood Sweat & Tears, Martin Mull, The Sensational
Alex Harvey Band, Gilda Radner, Kiss, Golden Earring, Melissa
Manchester along with many others were featured, again with
the sponsorship of WSAN radio.
By 1988, A & W partner Richard C Wolfe, acquired complete
ownership of the theatre through a new corporation, Roxy Management
Company, Inc. He replaced the missing pipe
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organ with a 7 rank Wurlitzer pipe organ, renovated the lobby,
and restored the exterior facade to it's original appearance.
New seating and carpeting were added as well at that time.
A final restoration of the auditorium was completed during
2010 when most areas were repainted. The stage received new
curtains and drapes as well as all the exit doorways. The
wood floor was completely refinished, and brand new seats
and carpeting were installed once again as well.
While live entertainment is still featured at various times,
the theatre continues to operate as Northampton's only commercial
movie theatre.
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