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barrymorelive.com (608) 241-8864 2090 Atwood ave madison, wi 53703

barrymore theater

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Located on the east side of Madison, Wisconsin, the Barrymore Theatre was originally opened in 1929 as the Eastwood Theater. The grand open- ing was on December 27, 1929. It was attended by Madison Mayor Albert G. Schmedeman and fea- tured Mack Sennett com- edy Midnight Daddies

Steve Sperling, plus oth- er investors and neigh- borhood support, the theater was revamped once again. The venue re- opened on July 10, 1987, as the Barrymore The- atre. The theater’s name- sake comes from the fa- mous family of Barrymore actors. The venue began

THE THEATRE’S NAMESAKE COMES FROM THE FAMOUS FAMILY OF BARRYMORE ACTORS.

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along with radio organist Dave Welton, and within weeks, the theater was sell- ing out. Unique from the start, the au- ditorium was designed and built in Spanish colonial style while the exteri- or featured an Italian Renaissance-style octagonal dome. The auditorium was complete with tile-roofed balconies and twinkling star lights in the ceiling, a feature the theater is still known for to- day. The original theater included top- notch modern acoustical features, and a Western Electric Vitaphone system, the widely-used analog sound-on-disc sys- tem developed for feature films. Later developments included the addition of air conditioning in 1938. Through investors and organiz- ers Richard Slone, Tom Petersen, and

to attract niche artists and audiences such as rock, folk, and women’s acts. In 1988, the theater acquired a beer and wine license, as well as a neighboring restaurant shortly after that. The Schenk Atwood Revitaliza- tion Association saw continued success in the Barrymore Theater, and pur- chased the venue in 1992, and from then on shifted focus to utilizing the space as a rental opportunity. In 1996, former investor Steve Sperling became the theater’s general manager, and con- tinues to bring the Barrymore Theatre quality entertainment and steady success.