History
Development
Local architect Arthur F. Moratz designed the Art Moderne style building.[2][3] The Streamline Moderne building was a state of the art cinema at the time which was built to "show sound movies in the best comfortable environment."[2] The theater was built by Sylvan and Ruth Kupfer and leased to Publix Great States Theatres.[2][3][4]
Opening
The Normal Theater opened for operation on November 19, 1937.[2] At the time of opening, the theater had 620 seats.[2] The grand opening featured the musical Double or Nothing starring Bing Crosby and Martha Raye, a Popeye cartoon, and newsreels.[2]
"The Normal was known for genre and “B” pictures, especially westerns and musicals, as well as second-run fare."[2]
Decline
In December 1974, the Springfield chain Kerasotes Brothers took over the theater.[2][4] On January 8, 1982, Kerasotes closed the Irvin Theater in Bloomington and turned the Normal Theater into a “dollar house”.[2]
In 1985, it was divided into a two screen theater, also known as twinning.[2][5] The original commercial operation of the Normal Theater ended on May 16, 1991.[2][3]
Restoration
The Town of Normal purchased the theater and reopened it in 1993 through a community restoration effort.[6] The grand reopening on October 7, 1994 screened Singin’ in the Rain.[2][4]
In June 1996, Normal received the “Preservation Project of the Year” award by the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois.[2] On July 25, 1997, the Normal Theater was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Present Day
Today theater goers enjoy a "throwback" theater going experience in the fully restored art deco theater. The inside restoration installed plush, coral colored seating, blue, maroon and salmon colored walls, high-modern style aisle lights and layered ceiling of multicolored neon lights.[2] Due to accessibility and building code changes, the Normal Theater now seats 385.[2]
