This is my
un-official
Mahaiwe page.
A little
background
on the theater. In 1905, the theater was built in downtown Great
Barrington
to provide
entertainment
to the residents of this bustling little town. Originally built as a
live
theater
stage, film came
on board in 1912. Silent movies were only shown here until 1927 when
the
first
sound system
was put in. My grandmother played piano for the silent movies during
that
time.
In 1930 a major
upgrade to the theater system's technical equipment brought better
projection
and sound
equipment.
The theater ran and started a downhill slump until the 1980's when Al
Schartz
came
into play. Al's
determination and love for the theater revitalized the place to a
degree.
In 1989 , the theater's parent
company was
purchased
by HOYTS Inc., who did not operate any single screen theaters in the
country.
Hoyts' plans
were to close the theater and convert it into apartments. But thanks to
the efforts
of Schwartz,
and several others, the theater remained opened. I started there in
January
of 1992.
I was a
projectionist,
and as time went along, I had occasional days where I ran the entire
place
myself.
It was a great
summer job, and a really good chance to see some great movies, and
experience
life as
a projectionist.
A rare trade that is getting obsoleted by modern movie complexes. When
my time to
retire from the
Mahaiwe came in June of 1994, the theater went some major projection
changes,
installing an
automated projection system (known as a "Platter"), and Al Schawrtz
announced
his retirement
from the theater. While I had left in 1994, I did come back to help out
occasionally.
I ran the two
opening shows (Fri & Sat) of "Batman Returns" in 1995. In 2002
Hoyts
sold the theater
to private
investors
in Great Barrington. It was announced that the theater would go under a
multi-million
dollar
renovation.
Al Schartz came back to the theater, the Mahaiwe was reborn as the
Mahaiwe
Performing
Arts Center! Very lovingly restored to a coniditon most likely better
than
opening day was
in 1905! (September 5th, 1905, exactly 70 years + 1 day to my birthday!)
--Mike
Fitzpatrick
Projectionist.
1992-1994
(And for you tourists.. it is pronounced 'Ma-Hay-Wee').
Down the front
stairs to the new corridor!
The corridor
down in the basement.
Looking where
the old candy stand used to be. This area was painted an ugly shade of
blue.
Looking up at
the restored ceiling.
Looking from
the stage towards the back of the renovated theater! It's probably is
nicer
than it even was on opening day!
Looking back
stage at the new metal stairs to the flys platform!
The new speaker
system behind the screen.
The new roll
up elephant door, it replaced an old giant wooden/steel door.
The new hallway
to the dressing rooms.
The new boiler
room down in the basement. This room was home to several hundred
spiders
when I
was employed
there. It was a dungeon then!
The ETC Dimmer
system (part of it...)
More dimmer
systems
and electrical enterances.
The networked
dimmer system network racks.
The emergency
lighting system.
The old carbon
arc projector that used to sit in the lobby, now in the Basement.
A detailed view
of the new carpets and seating.
Looking down
at the stage from the upper balcony. (Those spots are dirt in the lens)
Inside the
projection
booth, this is the new sound system...
Inside the lamp
housing of the projector. The 3000 watt bulb.
Looking inside
the booth...
A wider
view of the booth... much different (and cleaner) then when I was in
there!
Looking at the
surround speakers and lighting on the side wall from the Booth.
The Mahaiwe's
renovated Marquee!
What a beautiful
theater! Inside and out!
During the
renovation,
the Marquee was removed for the renovation. I grabbed this quick
nighttime
picture of the
theater front
without it. A very rare look at the old times of the theater!
Thanks to Paul
Kakley for
the tour!