Perhaps it’s my nostalgia for the glamour of old Hollywood. Perhaps it’s my weird belief that neglected old buildings experience human emotion. But, ever since I moved to New Orleans, the sight of the abandoned movie palaces on Canal Street has just broken my heart. Several months back, I even did some initial research into the future plans for these sites. But, when I received no response to my inquiries, my crack investigative journalism instincts kicked in and I… gave up. As luck would have it, a few months later it was announced that The Joy Theater would reopen at the end of December. Serendipity!
The Joy Theater is once again a radiant beacon on Canal Street! (photo courtesy of Joy Theater)
The Joy Theater originally opened in 1947 as a movie theater, closed briefly in 1978, then closed indefinitely in 2003. Things were looking pretty bleak for the theater, until its once-dilapidated marquis was relit to much fanfare on December 20. Ms. Irma Thomas will headline the official grand reopening on December 29, but wait. Didn’t they just start working on the renovation? What kind of magical fairy dust allowed this project to be completed in a mind-boggling four months, when others have stalled or failed?
Irma Thomas and Mayor Landrieu attend the lighting of The Joy Theater sign. (photo courtesy of Joy Theater)
According to Neal Hixon (who, along with Joe Jaeger, Allan McDonnel, and Todd Trosclair, owns and operates The Joy), it’s the nature of the building. “As a mid-century cinema house, it doesn’t have the ornate frescos and moldings that more theatrical houses have. The Joy is inherently simpler than the Orpheum or Saenger, but credit still needs to be given to the architect (Kenny Gowland) and contractor (The McDonnel Group) on this project. In reality, this should have taken ten months, instead of four.”
Indeed.
Renovations to The Joy Theater were completed in record time. (photo courtesy of Joy Theater)
Hixon also says that we can look forward to a wide range of shows coming to The Joy. “We’re not limiting ourselves to any particular type of production. Music, light theatrical performances, comedy, and from an acoustic/technical standpoint, we’ll be offering local talent a great opportunity to access a very professional venue.”
And it has retained the capacity to screen movies, too. Should The Joy Theater be a huge success, hopefully other developers will then follow suit, take advantage of tax incentives, and revitalized the whole Canal Street corridor!
Check out the current lineup of shows at The Joy Theater, which, so far, includes Kermit Ruffins, Cowboy Mouth, Little River Band, and a stage production that celebrates the art of female impersonation. Stellar!
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