Follow up to April “Where in Maine ?”
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entrance to the balcony
Now that the answer has been revealed I can tell you that my photo of the theater in Down East magazine’s April “Where in Maine” was the Criterion Theater in Bar Harbor.
The Criterion Theatre was purchased by Anthony & Erin Uliano in May of 2007 and immediately turned over operation to The Criterion Theatre and Arts Center, a non-profit corporation. You can learn more about the theater on their web site at http://www.criteriontheater.com
The Criterion Theatre and Arts Center mission is to make arts and theatre more accessible to all on Mount Desert Island and beyond, through diverse programming, workshops, and community events. They continue to show top rate movies too!
The Criterion Theatre built in 1932 is on the National Registry of Historic Places. The Theatre has 877 seats.
One very special feature of the building is its “floating” balcony, one of a few of its kind. Not only is this free-hanging structure an architectural feat, it also offers some of the best seating in the house. The balcony is divided into nine sections (loges) separated from each other with half walls and from the back corridor with velvet curtains. Originally rented out by the box to the town’s wealthy summer residents, these seats are now available to all, and offer an excellent birdseye view of the screen and stage
While attending a couple of events last year I had time to get some interior shots. Here are a few more…
view of balcony box seats and theater seats
on the balcony level
Fabulous art deco design, even the rest room signs!
Art Deco sign recently restored
To see more from last year’s events check out my Island Light blog at
http://sueannehodges.wordpress.com/2009/08/28/criterion-hosts-ken-burns
