Colonnade's 'second act'
anticipated at Christmas
By Duane Good, EDITOR

---

The new Colonnade Theater is scheduled to open later this year at 257 Center St. in Millersburg as a single screen movie theater/performing arts center/arts education venue (Rendering courtesy of Craig Zimmerman, Crabtree Rohrbaugh & Associates).

State Rep. Sue Helm, Dauphin County Commissioner Mike Pries and Millersburg Borough Council President Chris Dietz join Twin Valley Players officials and other principals in symbolically breaking ground for the new theater May 16.

First of Two Parts

Traditionally, many ‘‘big’’ films are released during the Christmas season.

This year, some of those films may be playing in the Sentinel’s coverage area.

That’s the aim of the Halifax-based Twin Valley Players theater group, which now owns the building on Center Street in Millersburg that housed the former Colonnade Theater for 80 years.

‘‘We will have to open before Christmas because it’s such a big period for movies,’’ Nathan Troutman, a TVP board member who is helping to spearhead the project, said last week. ‘‘We definitely want to have a Christmas movie season in Millersburg.’’

The Colonnade will open its ‘‘second act’’ with what organizers said will be the regular showing – on weekends, most likely – of newly released major-studio films, augmented by full digital projection (on a single screen), surround sound and stadium seating, with capacity of about 150.

‘‘Our goal is a top notch, ‘best in class’ experience for moviegoers,’’ Troutman said.

‘‘I think watching films in a single-screen theater is a more personalized experience,’’ Dr. Todd Hoover, who also is helping Troutman with project leadership, said. ‘‘We toured a lot of single-screen facilities when we were creating this, so we  could make sure we were designing this in a way that people will have an experience they will want to come back to.’’

That ‘‘experience’’ also is to benefit other businesses in the Millersburg area, as theater patrons shop and eat while in town, organizers noted.

The TVP already has enlisted the help of Marvin Troutman – whose family-run business, Cinema Centers Inc., operated the Colonnade for more than 40 years – to work with them on all that’s involved in running the new facility.

Regarding parking, ‘‘We have agreements in place with the Millersburg Fire Co. and Mid Penn Bank, both of which have lots a block up the street,’’ Troutman said.

The original Colonnade – built in 1919 as a single-screen facility – was not sound structurally and could not be retained, the men said. However, vestiges of the building’s days as a popular movie house will remain, they added.

The outside marquee with its raised ‘‘C’’ will be refurbished and placed inside as part of the concession area. Vintage film projectors, film reels, tickets and posters all will be displayed in the lobby.

‘‘When you come in, you will see the building’s history. A lot of people have a lot of memories here, and we were sensitive to that,’’ Troutman said.

The current north-south seating arrangement – in which patrons entered behind the screen, then turned to face it – also will not be retained; the new facility’s screen/seating area runs east-west, organizers said. The new building will have room to expand if necessary. The facility was designed by Craig Zimmerman of the engineering firm of Crabtree Rohrbaugh and Associates.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility was held May 16. Plans call for demolition to start in earnest during the week of Sunday, May 26 to Saturday, June 1 and the work probably will only take a few days.

The new, $1.7-million structure will serve as both a movie theater and – when films are not being screened – a venue for live music and theater performances, other live presentations and educational opportunities in the arts for area students.

Funding was provided by one state and one county grant, each worth $750,000.  The state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Grant was secured by Rep. Sue Helm and Sen. John Gordner, while money from the county Office of Community and Economic Development was secured by Commissioner Jeff Haste.

According to the TVP, the remaining financing of $200,000 is being provided by Harrisburg-based Integrity Bank. The bank also has provided a $750,000 bridge loan so work on the new facility can begin.

Dr. Thomas Hottenstein, a trustee of the Bradenbaugh-Hottenstein Foundation, announced May 16 the awarding of $125,000 to the theater’s Capital Campaign in recognition of the TVP’s commitment to the arts and arts education.

Public donatons to the project can be sent to: Twin Valley Players, Colonnade Project, P.O. Box 138, Halifax 17032. Or, email TVPTheater@epix.net or call 692-3453

At the ceremony, which was attended by legislators and county officials, the TVP once again praised those in government who stepped forward to make the grant money possible, as well as all others who made contributions, incuding business and individual donors.

(Coming Soon: How the new Colonnade will be a means to the end of enhanced performing arts and arts education programs in the Sentinel’s coverage area.)