From my previous post of December 6, 2007:
Sometime in the late 1970s, the Crown Uptown in Wichita fell upon hard times.
Management went to a policy of showing only "blockbuster" movies. I do not recall if they brought three strip Cinerama back but I remember seeing Song of Norway and 2001, A Space Odyssey. That movie released in 1969, was a one camera, one strip 70mm version of Cinerama that spelled the end for Cinerama.
When the blockbusters did not work out, sometime in 1980 the Crown Uptown turned into a dinner theater. They could not match the Century II musical plays downtown but they were successful.
On my last trip to Howard over Thanksgiving, the Crown Uptown was still going strong. Rather than a musical play, though, the billing was Riders in the Sky, a western music act mixed with comedy.
Somehow, Sedan, Kansas, has been able to keep a movie theater. While on the subject of plays, Sedan has a group of players who, at times, perform in the theater.
The players call themselves The Howard County Players.
The Wichita Eagle announced on June 20, 2009, that the Crown Uptown at Douglas and Hillside is calling it quits after tomorrow's performance. The failure is blamed on the economy.
Ted Morris, owner of Crown Uptown, passed away in December. It has been a struggle ever since. The economy did hurt business even before Ted's death but he continued the performances. He was his baby and loved the attention and announcing. At one time he had the theatre in Cowtown. Melodrama's were performed there with dinner being served homestyle-bowls of food on the table. Performing now is High School Musical. Hopefully backing or another person or group will step in. Sad day.
The Crown Uptown has been saved. New management and local support saved the show. ;D ;D ;D ;D
What great news! Here's another opportunity for Wichita to promote the city and the unique experiences it has to offer.