HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALABAMA THEATRE

On Christmas Day 1927, the Birmingham Age-Herald proclaimed that "Birmingham gets a $1,500,000 Christmas gift in the Alabama Theatre". And at noon on December 26th, the great gold doors of the new Alabama Theatre swung open to 2500 Birmingham citizens. They walked into the theatre, which was the most beautiful building in the city of Birmingham. The patrons marveled at the carved plaster, the crystal chandeliers, the antique furniture and the marble floors. They were amazed at the sound of the Mighty WurliTzer Pipe Organ in the cavernous auditorium and the large 21 piece orchestra in the pit. The opening was something to be seen and nothing quite like it was ever to happen again. Now the theatre is 78 years old and because of a few hardworking citizens that had the vision to reinvent the old movie palace, and the money of many Birmingham citizens who wanted to save it, the Alabama Theatre stands debt free and poised for many more years. All of us who have worked on the Alabama theatre project and the millions who have continued to file through the doors each year, thank everyone who helped make the Alabama Theatre what it is today, after 78 years, still "The Showplace of the South".

THE FUTURE

Future plans are to construct a 5,000 sq ft ballroom with a stage, elevator and kitchen adjacent to the Alabama Theatre so pre and post show events, as well as receptions and small meetings, can be held regularly. This project has a planned street level entrance with a large stairway and an elevator with entrances to the theatre. This will allow the Alabama to host a large event in the theatre as well as another totally unrelated event on the ballroom.

LYRIC THEATRE

The Lyric Theatre project is getting a slow start. Funding is not as available and Birmingham's growth is hurting the planned fundraising drive. Meetings are underway to get started as soon and the architects can complete the initial plans. Watch for a LYRIC THEATRE web site soon.

2005 HOLIDAY FILMS

The 2005 holiday films series was a big hit with the Birmingham audience, as usual with 8 shows and three full houses. Well over 9,000 Birmingham area citizens attended one or more of the Holiday films and thrilled at the Christmas finery and friendly volunteers. On the first weekend of the Holiday Films Series the Birmingham Summerfest Cabaret Theatre at the old Kress building with their full houses caused a lot of traffic Downtown, and all the restaurants were full as well. It looked like the good old days.

2006 EVENTS AND OPERATION

If you are a regular attendee at the Alabama Theatre you will begin to see some differences in the operation. First, a new ATM has been installed in the lobby. Second, a new full time ticket outlet is being considered, and before long all tickets for all Ticketmaster shows will be electronically scanned instead of being torn. It is hard to move us historic people into the future, but things must change for the good. Watch for the announcement.

Watch for the following: New concerts, new film events, and the announcement of many improvements here at the Alabama.

HELP

With all the improvements and changes we have going on at the Alabama there is always a great need for funding. If you wish to send a tax deductible contribution to either the Alabama Theatre the Lyric Theatre project you can mail your check to:

• Alabama theatre
• Lyric Theatre
• Ballroom project

We take Visa, Master Card or American Express and, of course, cash works real well. You can leave us funding in your will or you can contribute to our endowment fund, which will help provide for our future.

Your contributions are tax deductible, as provided by the IRS. We are a 501©3 non-profit organization.

Watch for the announcement of our 2006 summer films. If you have any suggestion please e-mail these to us at alatheatre@aol.com

Please have a happy and prosperous new year and may you share some of your prosperity with the Alabama Theatre.