Send in the audience

Ticket sales for theater’s anniversary on light side

By Kate Reardon

Herald Writer

EVERETT — At a time when the community might be expected to come together to celebrate history, the Everett Historic Theatre has sold far less than a full house for tonight’s 100th anniversary celebration.

Even so, there’s still time to get in on the celebration, "The Art of Clowning," starring entertainer Bill Irwin. Tickets start at $25.

As of Friday afternoon, the Everett Theatre Society had sold about 300 tickets out of a possible 800. Tickets went on sale for the gala on Oct. 8.

"I think we’re marketing later than we would have liked," said Kenn Wessel, executive director of the theater at 2911 Colby Ave. "I wished we would have started marketing earlier."

Wessel, who has been with the theater only a month, said he’s been working on outreach about the event with civic groups over that past few weeks. He said the theater also reached out to the community through fliers and posters around town, as well as personal invitations to the event.

He said ticket sales aren’t below his expectations, but below his hopes.

"In a perfect world, I’d see a packed house of people," Wessel said. "It’s one of those events that people will not forget."

The Everett Theatre first opened in 1901 with a capacity of 1,200 guests — about one-sixth the population of the city at that time.

Over the years, Everett audiences saw performers at the theater such as Al Jolson, Lon Chaney Sr., Lillian Russell, Helen Hayes and J.P. Patches.

By 1979, the theater was converted into a triplex movie house. Its upkeep began to decline, and by the mid to late 1980s it had garnered the nickname "sticky floors."

The balcony was split in half and two screens were added so three movies could be shown at once.

The building was closed in 1989, and reopened after a group of concerned community members formed the Everett Theatre Society and began working to rehabilitate the community landmark.

Today’s preservation and restoration of the theater is the result grants and donations and thousands of volunteer hours.

Wessel said entertainment is important for a community in times such as these, with economic downturns and international conflict.

"It seems to me that people can turn to entertainment as a way of keeping spirits up and hopes alive," he said. "This is a time when celebration of the past can help us. This is an event deep in the history of Everett."

The centennial celebration, which is costing about $55,000, has included an organ concert, silent film event, a lecturer and tonight’s event. Corporate sponsors include Washington Mutual Bank, Corporate Roundtable for the Arts and the Fluke Corp.

Wessel said he hopes to expand operations at the theater to generate more money for the theater’s budget.

You can call Herald Writer Kate Reardon at 425-339-3455

or send e-mail to reardon@heraldnet.com.

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