The Rialto Theater on Water Street reopens Friday, nineteen months after four feet of Mill Creek water came through the lobby doors and destroyed the seats, the flooring, the lower wall plaster and the entire sound system.
The marquee was relit on Wednesday evening. About sixty people turned up to watch, which the theater’s board had not planned for and which its president, Joan Petrosky, described as “the single best hour of the last two years.”
What is different
The house is smaller. The Rialto has 312 seats now instead of 480, with the back rows removed to make a level platform and a proper accessible entrance from the side alley — something the 1937 building never had.
- 312 seats, with eight wheelchair positions and companion seating
- All mechanicals moved from the basement to the roof
- A flood barrier system at both street entrances
- The original terrazzo lobby floor, cleaned and repaired rather than replaced
We lost 168 seats and gained a building that can take the next one. I have made my peace with the trade.
Joan Petrosky, board president
What it cost
Recovery came to $2.4 million: $1.1 million from insurance, $700,000 in federal and state disaster money, and roughly $600,000 raised locally over eighteen months through what became a fairly relentless campaign of bake sales, benefit screenings and a somewhat notorious auction of the old seats.
Nine hundred and four of those seats sold, at $40 apiece.
Opening weekend
Friday is a free community screening of Singin’ in the Rain at 7 p.m., first come first served. Regular programming starts Saturday. The Rialto plans four first-run titles a week plus a Sunday repertory series, and the Thursday classic matinee returns in June.