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The historic host venue of Ebertfest
The Virginia Theatre
4:00 am Apr 24 - by Colin Bird – Buzz writer
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Virginia Theatre »Address: 203 W. Park St. Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: (217) 356-9053
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If you ask a student or someone new to the CU area what movie theaters are in town, you will usually get answers limited to Carmike Beverly and Goodrich Savoy. If they’re into art-house films, then Boardman’s will be added to the list. But there is another theater in our twin cities area that is sorely left off peoples’ consideration: the Virginia Theatre.
The Virginia Theater is the oldest operating movie theater in the area. Even before “moving-pictures,” the facility served as a lynchpin cultural center for Champaign, first in vaudeville, then opera and, as we know it today, cinema. Originally constructed in 1921, the establishment has one stage and over 1,500 seats. Needless to say, if you see a film there, it is a very unique experience.
While the theater primarily served as a movie house for decades, live performances re-emerged after a near half-century downtime in 1991. The Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company currently has over 500 volunteers taking part in performances with over 11,000 attendees coming to see “high-brow” pieces right here in central Illinois each year. Over the summer, you can see CUTC perform in Jesus Christ Superstar, Bye Bye Birdie, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Little Shop of Horror.
Probably one of the best-known events held at the theater is this weekend’s Ebertfest. The Virginia Theatre has brought CU statewide fame for the film festival, stage performances and movies. However, this theater was nearly condemned and torn down. With the help of a municipal bailout, which makes the building a part of the Champaign Park District, the theater has been refurbished and updated. So if you live in town and pay property taxes, why not come down and take advantage of this public gem that you help support? Come see an old-time film, a live production or high-end celebrities discuss their latest works — you’ll find it not only enriching but entertaining!
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