Hoerrmann’s Little Theatre
Manhattan American, Wednesday, March 20, 1985.
"The following information about the Manhattan Theater was taken from the Winter 1978 issue of “Where the Trails Cross”, a publication of the South Suburban Genealogical and Historical Society.
“The performing arts were brought to Manhattan when the Manhattan Theater building was erected at the turn of the century. The Gustave Hoermann family had the auditorium built with a desire to bring the legitimate theater to an agricultural community. The stage provided variety ranging from concert musicians to traveling medicine shows.
“For the price of $12 per winter season ticket, the patron could attend six times per month during the season. Big name professional talents were drawn to these performances providing the same shows as seen in Chicago and St. Louis. For only $12 a season, the world of entertainment was brought to the town of Manhattan. People from Joliet and the surrounding area also came to these shows, filling the seats with patrons eager to see what the big city had to offer.
“Local groups had programs throughout the year in addition to the professional theatrical presentations. It was a rare evening when the lights of the theater were not lit up for a rehearsal or performance. Ned Kosurb from the State Lake Theater in Chicago assisted with local vaudeville shows and the head of the English department at Armour Tech in Chicago coached local drama groups. It was a joint effort by many people that made the hall as asset to both the performers and the audience.
“Medicine shows, graduations, basket socials and finally the silent movies drew patrons. On weekends, the Manhattan Theater presented silent movies accompanied by a player piano or Victrola. One person was in charge of the music to accompany the film and occasionally the music was not too well synchronized with the “flick”. It seems the lady preferred music other than what was recommended for the movie and her selection won out. The audience was tolerant, though, and the show went on.
“For those who missed a performance, the local newspaper critic, Andrew Christianson, had a very comprehensive review in the following issue of his newspaper, which came out twice a week. The theater had arrived in Manhattan and the people loved and supported it.”
The building at 125 South State which once was the theater is now empty. It was formerly occupied by the Manhattan American Legion, who sold it several years ago. The building is now for sale."
