The records date to the period of the Michigan Theater Foundation's intensive fundraising campaign to preserve the Michigan Theater and the first 15 years of its life after the theater reopened its doors in 1986.
The Michigan Theater, currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places opened its doors in January 1928. The architect, Maurice H. Finkel of Detroit, designed it for both live stage and film performances. Angelo Poulos, a local businessman constructed the shell of the theater and the adjoining office building, W.S. Butterfield Company which operated several motion picture and vaudeville theater in Ann Arbor and throughout Michigan, supervised the construction and furnishing of the theater's interior. An eleven-piece orchestra accompanied the live stage acts, while the silent movie shows were accompanied by the Barton Pipe Organ. In 1929 the orchestra and vaudeville presentations were disbanded as the Michigan Theater switched to an all-talking film format, but the Barton Organ was played into the 1940s. On occasion during the 1930's, 40's, and '50s touring Broadway shows played live-on-stage and included such stars as Helen Hayes, Ethel Barrymore, Paul Robeson, Uta Hagen, Jose Ferrer, Zasu Pitts, and Bela Lugosi.
As television started to replace the movies as the public's first choice for popular entertainment, the management took an attempt to "modernize" the theater in 1956. Unfortunately, the original architectural design of the façade and outer lobby were destroyed, and stylistically inappropriate fixtures replaced the original chandeliers and wall sconces.
In the 1960s-1970s the theater became less and less profitable to operate, and the Butterfield Theater Corporation decided not to renew their lease and the theater was put up for sale. A number of area volunteers joined the forces to buy the Ann Arbor landmark. In early 1979, the theater was sold to their newly-formed Michigan Theater Foundation, a non-for-profit corporation dedicated to preserving the facility. The theater reopened in September 1979.
To secure the financial future of the Michigan Theater, a millage tax designed to pay off the theater's mortgage and make $200,000 worth of code improvements was placed on the April 1982 election ballot. The citizens of Ann Arbor showed their support for the arts in their community by volunteering to increase taxes to support this project.
In the summer of 1982 an architectural firm was hired to create a restoration plan for the theater. An anonymous challenge gift of $500,000 was pledged in the fall of 1983. In 1985 the Michigan Theater embarked on a $1.5 million fundraising campaign to restore the theater to its 1920's glory. In 1986 the State of Michigan granted $125,000 to the Michigan Theater as part of the State Equity Funding Program. The restoration of the Michigan Theater continued from May through September 1986 and reopened the same year. A new screening room addition was added in 1999 along with additional restrooms and office space.
The Michigan Theater Foundation Board of Trustees hired Russell B. Collins to head a professional management team that sought to bring audiences back to the Michigan Theater. The Board and new management revived the tradition of bringing live-on-stage touring theater. The Michigan Theater provided stage for touring Broadway shows throughout the 1980s. The Ann Arbor Symphony made the Michigan its primary concert hall starting in 1984. Composers, musical performers, dance and drama companies, comedians, and performers in other genres from around the world have been making appearances at the theater since the mid-1980s. By 1989 the Michigan Theater had gained a reputation as one of the nation's most successful presenters of contemporary performing arts. During the period reflected in the present collection, the Theater developed Not Just for Kids! series of live shows and films perfect for the entire family and Serious Fun at the Michigan series of musical and theatrical performances.
Over 100,000 people yearly experience film classics, documentaries, the best of the world cinema, and films by independent American film-makers. The Michigan Theater Foundation has made a special commitment to revive the art of silent era film by presenting silent films with live music.
