Paramount Theatre (Abilene, Texas)

Paramount Theatre

Address	352 Cypress Street Abilene, Texas United States
Coordinates	32°27′08″N 99°44′03″W / 32.45222°N 99.73417°WCoordinates: 32°27′08″N 99°44′03″W / 32.45222°N 99.73417°W
Capacity	1,199
Construction
Opened	May 18, 1930
Architect	David S. Castle & Co., Abilene, Texas
Website
www.paramount-abilene.org/
Paramount Theatre
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Architectural style	Mission/Spanish Revival
NRHP Reference #	82001739
Added to NRHP	December 27, 1982[1]

The Paramount Theatre is located in downtown Abilene, Texas at 352 Cypress Street.

The Parmount was built in 1930 by H. O. Wooten, adjacent to his Hotel Wooten. Opening night was May 18, 1930, with the film, Safety in Numbers starring Carole Lombard. On February 12, 1931, Universal Pictures selected the Abilene Paramount, along with a few others in that theatre chain, to exhibit the 1931 horror classic Dracula, a full two days before its Valentine's Day premiere. Restored to its current state in 1986, the Paramount features: films, live theatre performances, 1,199 split-aisle seats, Spanish-Moorish interior, and a domed ceiling with moving clouds and glittering stars.

At the Paramount, visitors can catch performances featuring: Abilene Ballet Theatre, the Abilene Opera association, the Celebration Singers, Chameleon Performing Arts Company, Abilene Performing Arts Company, Abilene Community Band, Abilene Repertory Theatre, Abilene Community Theatre, Abilene Christian University Theatre, McMurry University Theatre, Hardin Simmons University Theatre, the Abilene Intercollegiate Orchestra, the Classical Chorus of Abilene, the Classical Youth Chorus, and local high school bands.

The theater's lobby

References

1. National Park Service (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.