Joy Theater
Encyclopedia
The Joy Theater is a theater and historic landmark built in 1947 on Canal Street
in downtown New Orleans, Louisiana
. Renovations in 2011 transformed the former movie palace
into a multipurpose theater for live music
, stand-up comedy
, private functions, and corporate events. The 2011 renovations added a modern sound and lighting system, video monitors, a built-in stage, fixed bars, and on-sight dressing rooms. The theater’s original balcony
was retained and includes 253 permanent seats, while the first floor accommodates 405 chairs and flexible floor plans. The theater’s iconic marquee sign
was restored, as was the building’s original art deco
architecture
.
was B. W. Stevens. Lover Come Back starring Lucille Ball
was the opening feature.
In 2003, “finally succumbing to the competition from megaplexes
with stadium-style seating and a dozen or more screens,” the Joy Theater closed.
In August 2005, the flood following Hurricane Katrina
inundated the structure.
In July 2011, the Joy was purchased by NOLA Theatre District LLC, which predicted that, “over the next few years, the upper-end of Canal Street will re-emerge as a focal point in the city’s continued renaissance.”
On December 29, 2011, the renovated Joy Theater will reopen.
Canal Street, New Orleans
Canal Street is a major thoroughfare in the city of New Orleans. Forming the upriver boundary of the city's oldest neighborhood, the French Quarter , it acted as the dividing line between the older French/Spanish Colonial-era city and the newer American Sector, today's Central Business District.The...
in downtown New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. Renovations in 2011 transformed the former movie palace
Movie palace
A movie palace is a term used to refer to the large, elaborately decorated movie theaters built between the 1910s and the 1940s. The late 1920s saw the peak of the movie palace, with hundreds opened every year between 1925 and 1930.There are three building types in particular which can be subsumed...
into a multipurpose theater for live music
Music venue
A music venue is any location used for a concert or musical performance. Music venues range in size and location, from an outdoor bandshell or bandstand or a concert hall to an indoor sports stadium. Typically, different types of venues host different genres of music...
, stand-up comedy
Stand-up comedy
Stand-up comedy is a comedic art form. Usually, a comedian performs in front of a live audience, speaking directly to them. Their performances are sometimes filmed for later release via DVD, the internet, and television...
, private functions, and corporate events. The 2011 renovations added a modern sound and lighting system, video monitors, a built-in stage, fixed bars, and on-sight dressing rooms. The theater’s original balcony
Balcony
Balcony , a platform projecting from the wall of a building, supported by columns or console brackets, and enclosed with a balustrade.-Types:The traditional Maltese balcony is a wooden closed balcony projecting from a...
was retained and includes 253 permanent seats, while the first floor accommodates 405 chairs and flexible floor plans. The theater’s iconic marquee sign
Marquee (sign)
A marquee is most commonly a structure placed over the entrance to a hotel or theatre. It has signage stating either the name of the establishment or, in the case of theatres, the play or movie and the artist appearing at that venue...
was restored, as was the building’s original art deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
.
History
On February 7, 1947, the Joy Theater opened at a cost of $275,000, with seats for 1,250 patrons. Hailed as "New Orleans' newest and most modern film temple," the theater was equipped with a crying room, a glass-enclosed area behind the back row that enabled parents with young children to enjoy the show without disturbing the other patrons. The Joy was built by long-time theater operators Joy Houck (the theater’s namesake) and Levere Montgomery, Sr. The architectArchitect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
was B. W. Stevens. Lover Come Back starring Lucille Ball
Lucille Ball
Lucille Désirée Ball was an American comedian, film, television, stage and radio actress, model, film and television executive, and star of the sitcoms I Love Lucy, The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy and Life With Lucy...
was the opening feature.
In 2003, “finally succumbing to the competition from megaplexes
Multiplex (movie theater)
A multiplex is a movie theater complex with multiple screens, typically three or more. They are usually housed in a specially designed building. Sometimes, an existing venue undergoes a renovation where the existing auditoriums are split into smaller ones, or more auditoriums are added in an...
with stadium-style seating and a dozen or more screens,” the Joy Theater closed.
In August 2005, the flood following Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
inundated the structure.
In July 2011, the Joy was purchased by NOLA Theatre District LLC, which predicted that, “over the next few years, the upper-end of Canal Street will re-emerge as a focal point in the city’s continued renaissance.”
On December 29, 2011, the renovated Joy Theater will reopen.