Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 13, 1994 TAG: 9407140074
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By STEPHEN FOSTER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Dormant for three years, the 64-year-old theater sits in darkness and dust. Its supporters would like to refurbish this piece of town history so foreign and avant-garde films, recitals, plays and lectures could take center stage.
The "Bring Back the Lyric" Committee began meeting a couple months ago and has invited nearly 200 people to a reception July 28 at The Grove, the home of Virginia Tech President Paul Torgersen and his wife, Dot, to kick off a campaign to revitalize the theater.
"We have a lot of planning to do," said Gibson Worsham, a historic architect and chairman of the New River Valley Preservation League. He wants to "restore the building to as close as it was when it was built."
The Lyric's early days were those of Herbert Hoover and the Depression, a time when a kid could see a flick for 17 cents, and audiences packed the main floor and balconies to see westerns or "Gone With the Wind."
But in 1989 the Lyric succumbed to low ticket sales and a society seemingly more interested in television than attending movies. Lela Kelsey, whose family had owned it for four generations, said then, "It's sad for me, because it's been in the family for so long. But nobody can make a living out of it."
For two more years, Virginia Tech used it sparingly as a lecture hall, and the Virginia Tech Union screened films there. But Tech's lease ended in 1991, and except for election-time use as the Montgomery County Democratic headquarters, the building has remained empty.
"It really is an eyesore when you see it," said Dot Torgersen, who has lived in town for 27 years and sent her children there. "We used to go to the Lyric Theatre. Everyone did."
Now, "It is sort of a wasted place."
She, members of the Downtown Merchants Association, Tech people and other citizens want to change that. And they think they can make it work with a combination of diverse programs and broad-based support.
While the idea is in the extreme preliminary stages, Worsham said, it could cost $500,000 or more to redo the theater.
"It's certainly not going to be an inexpensive project," and will require plenty of volunteerism and financial support, said Davidson's Manager Jim Dymock, but, "I believe, if you're going to do it, you should do it right."
"Theaters are very expensive items to furnish," Worsham said. The nearly 800 seats are in poor condition; the air conditioning doesn't work; bathrooms would have to be brought up to standards. But his optimism is obvious.
The owners of the theater are receptive to the idea. Bill Deamer, a member of Blacksburg Realty Partnership, which owns the theater, and Clive Cranwell, who works with HCMF Corp., which manages the property, have met with members of the committee.
"They've been really interestedwith the group to see if it's financially feasible," said Lindsay West, who is also on the committee.
"I think it can work," said Mayor Roger Hedgepeth, who recalled attending movies at the Lyric while a Tech student in the early 1950s. While not guessing at any possible financial backing the town might give, he said, "as a government, we would support the move in some fashion."
"It's going to be a community effort," said John Kline, owner of Gentry Studio and a member of the committee. Like others, Kline's interest reflects a mixture of nostalgia of what the theater once was, and optimism for what it could be.
The building's original architectural plans and other drawings are available, Worsham said. Seats and air conditioning notwithstanding, the building's interior isn't as deteriorated as one might think. And there is talk of finding the tragedy and comedy masks that adorned the roof of the building as gargoyles - which have been missing for years but are believed to still be in Blacksburg.
"People have all kinds of fond memories about that theater," said Lisa Connelly, also on the committee. But "trying to just repeat another movie house is not going to work. Obviously the Lyric folded because it couldn't compete with the mall theater."
Instead of just showing films, the Lyric could be used for music and lectures again, and though its stage is small, perhaps even for local community plays.
"It's the jewel right in the middle of Blacksburg, but sitting there empty for five years - it's just enough to kill you," Kline said.
Anyone interested in joining in the effort can send their name and address to: Downtown Merchants of Blacksburg, P.O. Box 233, Blacksburg, Va. 24063.
Memo: ***CORRECTION***