_Grand_Opening_1947.jpg) The Joy Theater, in downtown New Orleans, opening day, Feb. 7, 1947. | |
| Location | 1200 Canal Street New Orleans, Louisiana, USA |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 29°57′23″N 90°04′26″W / 29.956403°N 90.074008°W / 29.956403; -90.074008 |
| Type | Indoor theater |
| Seating type | Orchestra, balcony |
| Capacity | 1,200 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1947 |
| Renovated | 2011 |
The Joy Theater, named after owner Joy Houck, is a theater and historic landmark built in 1947 on Canal Street in downtown New Orleans, Louisiana. Renovations in 2011 transformed the former movie palace into a multi-purpose theater for live music, stand-up comedy, private functions, and corporate events. The theater's iconic marquee sign was restored, as was the building's original art deco architecture.
History
On February 7, 1947, the Joy Theater opened at a cost of $275,000, with seats for 1,250 patrons. Hailed as "New Orleans' newest and most modern film temple," the theater was equipped with a crying room, a glass-enclosed area behind the back row that enabled parents with young children to enjoy the show without disturbing the other patrons. The Joy was built by long-time theater operators Joy Houck (the theater's namesake) and Levere Montgomery, Sr. The architect was B. W. Stevens. Lover Come Back, starring Lucille Ball, was the opening feature.
In 2003, "finally succumbing to the competition from megaplexes with stadium-style seating and a dozen or more screens," the Joy Theater closed.
In August 2005, the flood following Hurricane Katrina inundated the structure.
The Joy reopened in December 2011.
See also
References
- Joy Theatre Has New Owners, Renovation Plans – New Orleans City Business Archived 2011-09-14 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Joy Theatre in Downtown New Orleans has Happier Days Ahead – Times Picayune
- Canal Street: New Orleans’ Great Wide Way – Pelican Publishing
- ^ No More Joy: The Rise and Fall of New Orleans Movie Theaters – Rock Productions Archived 2012-04-25 at the Wayback Machine
- "About the Joy Theater | New Orleans Theatre". Archived from the original on 2012-04-29. Retrieved 2012-05-01.