Despite a name change, two world wars, multiple economic recessions and near demolition, The Paramount Theatre has remained in continuous operation in the same downtown location since it opened on October 11, 1915.
In celebration of this century-long run, the Paramount is hosting a variety of special events throughout the year. During a festive party on Tuesday night that included jugglers, a Harry Houdini hologram, Jaston Williams, the Jitterbug Vipers and more, the Paramount Theatre announced a slew of celebrations slated for the coming months.
In May, the Paramount will host a star-studded Centennial Gala featuring Lyle Lovett and "his amazing friends." In addition to the party, both Lovett and Jerry Jeff Walker will be added to Paramount's Avenue of Stars next to Jaston Williams and Joe Sears (a.k.a. Vera Carp and Pearl Burras of Greater Tuna).
The Paramount is also planning at least four free events representative of different iconic moments during the theater's history, including a screening of The Philadelphia Story with Katharine Hepburn and the Marx Brothers' A Night at the Opera. Details about the other two events, which will include an evening with local director Robert Rodriguez, have yet to be announced.
Everything will culminate later this year with the resurrection of the iconic Paramount Theatre blade. Originally erected in 1930 when Paramount Pictures bought the theater (and the name changed to what we know and recognize today), the blade was taken down in 1963 for renovations never to be seen again. Multiple leads have been followed by theater officials over the years, but nobody has a clue what happened to it.
As a birthday present, the Paramount has commissioned a remake of the blade complete with hundreds of buzzing light bulbs in the original colors. Although an exact date has yet to be decided, a 100th birthday party will occur sometime later this year around October 11.
Stay tuned for more event announcements during this year-long party for the Paramount Theatre.
For now, Stateside at the Paramount (formerly known as the State Theatre) is the only remaining blade on that slice of Congress Avenue.
