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A Vista transformation

Negaunee facility focus of big effort

The Historic Vista Theater on Iron Street in Negaunee and a neighboring building that locals call the annex are still in the midst of a painstaking transformation, but there might be more than one type of show going on in downtown Negaunee this week. (Journal file photo)

NEGAUNEE — The Historic Vista Theater along Iron Street in Negaunee and a neighboring building that locals call the annex are still in the midst of a painstaking transformation, but there might be more than one type of show going on in downtown Negaunee this week.

Repairs to the Vista stage roof and replacement of the annex roof could begin before Friday and may be completed by the end of September.

The projects will be paid for with funds from the theater’s 2018 “Grand Roofle” drawing along with Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development grant funds, Peninsula Arts Appreciation Council President Rusty Bowers said.

The theater advisory board also plans to “shore up” or rebuild the rear wall of the annex building, and is currently awaiting bids from several contractors for the project.

“This is less like a sprint and more like a marathon,” Bowers said. “We started making slow and steady progress in January 2018, and we will continue to do so until our vision of the Vista once again being a downtown Negaunee entertainment cornerstone is met.”

PAAC Vice President Eliisa Gladwell, who has been involved in the organization since 2008 and is a member of the board since 2013, agreed.

“I like to use the analogy of ‘chipping away at an iceberg with a plastic spoon’ when referring to the restoration of this beloved building,” Gladwell said. “This is the first time in those six years that I have full confidence in the board and the future of the Vista Theater.”

A study and business plan for the venue by historic theater expert Thomas Gerdom, expected to be completed by the end of the year, may help move things along.

The study, which began in December 2018, was funded by a $3,000 grant award from the Greater Ishpeming-Negaunee Area Chamber of Commerce and a $7,000 contribution from the city of Negaunee. The study focuses on the history of the structure itself as well as its role in the downtown Negaunee landscape.

Gerdom said his research has uncovered some new information, including Finnish language films, which, according to initial reports, were shown at the Vista in 1937 and 1938.

“Actually, they continued to show Finnish films on a regular basis until the 1950s,” Gerdom said.

He said another little known fact is the founding of the Jefry Theaters by Vista Theater owner Jafet Rytkonen and how interconnected local theaters were.

“He (Rytkonen) owned 2,200 of the 3,000 shares of stock with the rest owned by his son, William; the Vista organist, Paul Bennett; and Bernard McNamara. With this corporation, he owned the Vista, the Butler and the Ishpeming theaters and, apparently, built the Airport Drive-in in 1955,” Gerdom said. “The theaters were all leased to the operators which, in the Vista’s case, were William and Jafet’s son-in-law, Paul Ghiardi, in a partnership.

“Bennett and McNamara were operating the Ishpeming theaters, and they brought in a former Delft manager to operate the drive-in.”

Gerdom also noted that Rytkonen constantly upgraded the facility following its opening in 1926.

“He had new sound equipment by 1929 for the ‘talkies,’ and then swapped projectors and (the) screen out for new in 1931,” Gerdom said. “There were new balcony chairs in 1938 with reupholstering done on the main floor at that time. The front and marquee were done in 1940. Some new sound came in during the 1940s, and then he brought in Cinemascope in 1954 along with all new main floor seating.

“The wide screen also required new lenses for the projectors, and they had to move the walls on either side of the proscenium back 3 feet to accommodate viewing from the side seating sections.”

The peek back at the building’s history gives new life to what the future could hold, Bowers said.

“It’s interesting to see the many transformations the building had in its heyday, as we look to creating some much-needed change that could preserve the building and our organization for many generations in the future,” he said.

Organizers at the Vista are planning a variety of events this fall, starting with “Irontown: A Motown Cabaret” featuring local favorite Jeff Jennings at 2 p.m. Sept. 15, and a Beginner Drag Workshop series this month, which will culminate in a drag show on Oct. 11.

Organizers also hope to present Halloween and Christmas shows, Gladwell said.

“We always need volunteers, and are actively seeking new members,” Gladwell said. “Honestly, anyone with an interest in acting, singing, directing or even just the building itself is welcome to be involved. We can find a place for you here.”

Gerdom said although there is still much work to be done, he expects good things in the Vista’s future.

“I think we are on the verge of providing Negaunee a very special place to gather and share the creative arts, with opportunities for all ages to get involved either with hands-on experiences or just watching others,” he said.

More information on upcoming events or how to become a member or volunteer can be found at www.vistatheater.org, or the Friends of the Vista Theater Facebook page.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242.

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