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MOBILE’S SAENGER THEATRE
CENTRE FOR THE LIVING ARTS
Fond Memories and Future
Entertainment
 Do
you remember Elvis Presley’s first movie, Love Me Tender? I do.
It opened at the Mobile Saenger Theatre in 1956 and I was there,
along with hundreds of other teenagers. The lines were long
waiting to buy tickets and excitement filled the air as we
waited to see this new teenage rage on the big screen. In my
opinion, Elvis’ first stab at acting really wasn’t that good,
but the man could sing…and he was a dream. So, who cared? I
don’t think any of us realized what a treasure the Saenger
Theatre was at that time of our lives, but we certainly learned
later.
The Mobile Saenger Theatre holds so many fun, fond memories for
any of us who grew up here. At the time it was a movie theatre
only…with a stately theatre organ right up front for all to see,
hear and sing along with the music…which we did often. In asking
several Mobilians about their favorite long ago memory at the
Saenger, one said, “When Rebel Without a Cause starring James
Dean and Natalie Wood opened in 1955. My date was wearing a red
jacket just like the one James Dean wore in the movie.” She was
the envy of the huge crowd gathered for the big event. But then,
we were teenagers, and those nostalgic memories will stay with
us forever.
As I write this story, I remember the Saenger Theatre as it was
then. I think of all the changes since that time and look at it
in all its grandeur now. The Saenger Theatre of Mobile now
functions as a performing arts center and is the official home
of the Mobile Symphony Orchestra. It features an annual Summer
Classic Movie Series and presents stage plays, concerts,
lectures and special events. The Saenger Theatre is an historic
landmark, dear to the hearts of Mobilians for its architectural
grandeur and ties to the cultural history as well as for the
extraordinary caliber of entertainment it offers the community
today.
Centre for the Living Arts, Inc. operates the historic Saenger
Theatre and Space 301, a non-profit contemporary art gallery.
They do a fantastic job in managing the events, as well as the
never ending upkeep and the continually on-going renovations.
Renovations continue as the money is available, so it is truly a
work in progress or a “pay as you go” renovation. To quote Ms.
Carlos Parkman, President of Centre for the Living Arts, “The
Saenger is a venue for entertainment and represents the
preservation of our past. It must be preserved so that future
generations can enjoy the magic of live performances in an
historic landmark.”
Elegant, luxurious, grand, beautiful. So many words may be used
to describe the breathtaking splendor of the Mobile Saenger
Theatre that it’s hard to choose just one. Through the years,
the Saenger has provided Mobilians and visitors with outstanding
theatrical entertainment live on stage and on motion picture
screen. It hosted silent movies, vaudeville shows, movies,
dramatic and musical productions and was the setting for the
first America’s Junior Miss pageant. However—as was the case
with many of these grand movie palaces—ownership changes, high
maintenance costs and various other issues rendered many of
these beautiful buildings nationwide, “white elephants.” In
fact, many were demolished to make way for parking lots and
general urban development.
Erected in January of 1927, the stately, European-style Theatre
in Mobile has witnessed thousands of top performers, acts,
ballets and musicals throughout its eighty plus years of
existence. With its newly renovated and upgraded electrical
system, VIP facilities, stage rigging and state of the art sound
system, the Saenger Theatre truly lives up to its reputation as,
“Alabama’s greatest showplace.”
When the Theatre opened on January 19, 1927, it was the
sixty-first Saenger Theatre of a chain founded by J.H. and A.D.
Saenger of New Orleans. There were Saenger Theatres located
throughout the South as well as in Cuba and Puerto Rico. Hailed
as, “Alabama’s Greatest Showplace” and, “the most beautiful
playhouse in all of Dixie,” the Mobile Saenger Theatre took a
year to construct at a cost of about $500,000.00. Designed by
renowned architect, Emile Weil, the Theatre featured the
following: three-color auditorium lighting, a two-manual,
ten-rank Robert Morton theatre organ, full stage facilities to
accommodate large road shows including stage and wardrobe traps,
four floors of dressing rooms, musicians’ and chorus rooms and
2,615 seats. Around 1950, the seats on the floor were replaced
and re-spaced, reducing the seating capacity to about 2,200.
Seating capacity today is 1,921.
The building was designed in a continental style, intended to
resemble European opera houses. Along came the larger
Cinemascope movie screen and when it was installed, the
theatre’s opera boxes that were located beneath the organ
grilles were removed to improve sightlines. Other outstanding
architectural features of the original building included: the
tilted arcade, grand marble staircase, ornate lamps,
chandeliers, statuary and door frames, a mezzanine and
promenade. There were lavish furnishings in the men’s “Stage
Room,” and the ladies’ “At the Sign of the Lipstick,” lounge
which included magnificent draperies and carpets with the name
of the theatre woven into the fabric.
Inspired by classical Greek mythology and Mobile’s coastal
location, the Saenger Theatre’s decoration was described as,
“the motif of a French palace of the Renaissance.” Poseidon is
cast above the front entrance and the interior plaster
ornamentation includes: Dionysus above the proscenium, Maenads
encircling the chandelier in the lounge, Pan beneath the organ
grilles and various stylized seahorses, shells and fish
throughout the theatre. The color scheme of the interior was
primarily sea-green with maroon and gold trim. The ceilings
featured a variety of trompe l’oeil decoration.
In early 1970, the then owners, ABC/Paramount, closed the Mobile
Saenger and removed the projection equipment. On the eve of
demolition, the University of South Alabama bought the Saenger
and saved it from destruction. It was partially renovated and
re-opened as a performing arts center called the USA Saenger
Theatre.
As time went by, the University of South Alabama said they would
no longer be able to support the Theatre. The Saenger was then
up for sale or possibly set to be demolished - again. On October
1, 1999, the City of Mobile purchased the Saenger from the
University of South Alabama. A new non-profit organization,
called Center for the Living Arts, Inc., was formed early in the
year 2000 to operate the Saenger. Center for the Living Arts and
the City of Mobile, with generous donations from the community,
restored the historic Mobile Saenger to its former glory, at a
cost of about six million dollars.
As you walk through the door of the Saenger Theatre today, it is
literally awe inspiring. So much has been renovated and it looks
like the “old” Theatre again. The gorgeous opera boxes have been
restored to their original beauty and the VIP boxes located
under the opera boxes have been replaced. The fabulous mural
painted to resemble the original is in its place. The lighting
fixtures are original. Though you cannot see it, even the air
conditioning ducts have the original plates showing the date
1927 in them.
Willis Carrier invented air conditioning in the early 1900s, but
no one in the United States had it. The fifth air conditioner
Mr. Carrier sold was to the Mobile Saenger Theatre in 1927. Can
you imagine, in that era, being able to enjoy a movie, or
anything else, in cool comfort with the heat and humidity of the
south? What a treat!
The Theatre has broadened its base of performances to include
the Mobile Symphony performances, classic movies, classic
artists, new artists, special youth programs, national touring
companies and many other highlights. Beverages and popcorn are
available and you can enjoy any event or performance at the
Saenger in cool comfort – with a special ambiance. You should
not miss a chance to visit the Saenger and there is so much
going on, so many upcoming performances and events. There is
something for everyone.
The community volunteers who assist at the Saenger are amazing
and the Theatre wouldn’t be the same without them. There are
many volunteers of all ages who help make the Saenger what it is
today—the “community’s living room”, according to Randy
Schwoerer, General Manager of the Mobile Saenger Theatre. Randy
puts in many long hours to coordinate all of the events and
performances and to provide what the community wants. He says,
“Finding a common ground is not easy, but we strive to do just
that.” And they do!
Stay on top of what’s happening at the Mobile Saenger Theatre.
The Box Office is open 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday, and
two hours prior to all ticketed performances. Call (251)
208-5600 for event information and to purchase tickets or you
may check the website at www.mobilesaenger.com. Tip: Don’t miss
a tribute to The Rat Pack, the Mobile Symphony Holiday Pops or
Christmas With Aaron Neville Quintet featuring Charles Neville –
all coming in December!
Tickets for most Saenger Theatre events are also available at
area TicketMaster outlets including Wherehouse Music in Mobile,
Goldmine in Daphne; the Mobile Bay Bears Gift Shop, the Mobile
Civic Center Box Office, and Northside Check Exchange in Mobile.
Call (251) 434-0033 daily from 9 AM to 9 PM for the TicketMaster
charge-by-phone service.
Enjoy all the events at the Mobile Saenger Theatre. It’s a part
of Mobile history and it’s got “just the ticket” for
entertainment.
A special thank you to Randy Schwoerer and Carlos Parkman for
their valuable time and knowledge used for this story.
Written by Gayle Thrash
Saenger Theatre Holiday
Schedule
The Saenger Theatre is preparing for an exciting holiday season
with the following shows:
Friday,November 2 – 8:00 PM
“The Funniest Man In America ” – James Gregory ($28/$23/$18)
Saturday, December 1 – 7:30 PM
From Vegas The Rat Pack – “Tribute to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin
and Sammy Davis” ($33/$28/$23)
Sunday, December 2 – 7:00 PM
Country Music Star Josh Turner ($40/$35)
Saturday, December 8 – 8:00 PM
Jethro Tull ($54/$49/$42)
Sunday, December 9 – 8:00 PM
Christmas with the Aaron Neville Quintet featuring Charles
Neville ($36/$31)
Monday, December 31 – 8:30 PM
New Years Eve Party with Dr. John ($50.50/$39)
Saturday, January 12, 2008 – 8:00 PM
Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby ($52/$46/$40)
Saturday, January 26, 2008 – 9:00 PM
The Indigo Girls ($49.50/$44.50/$39.50)
Tickets are available at
www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 888-saenger or
215-434-0033. Performance schedule is viewable at
www.saengermobile.com
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