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York Little Theatre lowered its arts & acting anchor at the old Elmwood Theater in 1953

York Little Theatre Monday September 14, 2015 Paul Kuehnel - York Daily Record/ Sunday News

This York Daily Record’s photo gallery featuring the York Little Theatre, the former Elmwood Theater makes you wonder about that old, but vastly remodeled moviehouse’s past. Its Belmont Street neighborhood is showing wear and tear, but the York Little Theatre has been a constant. In fact, it has undergone another neat recent renovation. ‘In July, 1953, YLT signed a lease-purchase agreement for the Elmwood Theatre, a former movie house. Here, YLT finally had its own home,’ YLT’s website states. See more photos below. Also of interest: Stand-in stole show in YLT’s “Inherit the Wind”.

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A 1938 Playbill for York Little Theatre with a picture of a past home at the former York County Academy Building at 153 N. Beaver Street. The back of the Playbill advertises a Fifth Anniversary Dance, Formal, $1.50 per couple Monday September 14, 2015 Paul Kuehnel - York Daily Record/ Sunday News

Before the Elmwood, York Little Theatre operated its offices in the former York County Academy building on Beaver Street in York, according to YLT’s website. Interestingly, YLT’s first children’s play came in 1934, ‘Alladin and his Wonderful Lamp.’ Alladin Jr. is playing at YLT on Sept. 25-27 and October 1-4.

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From the left, Brian Bogovic, age 15, has only experienced the YLT for a couple weeks and is on hand to help where needed, seated next to Judi Miller, on the board of directors, who has worked with YLT for 40 years and Rene Staub, director of artistic services at York Little Theatre Monday September 14, 2015. New purple round back seats, carpeting and the walls and ceiling have been painted. Paul Kuehnel - York Daily Record/ Sunday News

The website, Cinema Treasures, often has lots of information on old theaters. As for the Elmwood, it lists little: ‘The Elmwood Theatre in East York, PA. was operating prior to 1950. It was considered an ‘Art’ theatre, at one time owned by R. Moore.’ Here’s a view of YLT’s auditorium.

An ad from 1975 for the Flamingo Restaurant that used to be across the street from at York Little Theatre, Monday September 14, 2015. It was a popular restaurant before shows and for drinks after. Paul Kuehnel - York Daily Record/ Sunday News

This advertisment from 1975 shows the Flamingo Restaurant in business across from the YLT. The restaurant catered to patrons of the theater. Since then, the Flamingo has had several owners. The YLT remains, in fine form. Maybe that energy will spread to the neighborhood.

 

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In another theater of renown in York County …

capitalThe Strand-Capital Performing Arts Center is made up of two theater that loaned their name to the complex. The center recently applied for $700,000 in state money to revitalize the Capitol Theater. (Check out what Cinema Treasures says about the complex.) Here, a Greater York Dance Company dancer practices at The Strand. Surely, this is York County at its best.