Historic theater in Dormont to reopen under new ownership
A historic theater in the heart of Dormont will soon reopen under new ownership.
The Hollywood Theater, located on Potomac Avenue, has been closed for the better part of 2023, with little to no explanation to the public.
“It was open one weekend and then the next weekend, there was nothing up on the marquee,” said nearby resident Greg Plawski. “Nobody around here, when I asked, seemed to know what was going on.”
Plawski has visited the theater since his teenage years, and he was thrilled to find out on Tuesday that the historic Hollywood is about to reopen with a new vision that honors its history.
New owner Brian Mendelssohn said he can’t wait to revitalize the property, which will soon turn 100.
“It’s an incredible place, it just has a certain magic and energy that I really like and I’ve always liked,” he said. “It’s rundown, for sure, and we are going to make the investment into this place to bring it back to its former glory.”
Mendelssohn is no stranger to running a theater; he owns and operates Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville, which is popular for its festivals and events.
The Hollywood, to become known as Row House Hollywood, will offer those same attractions.
Beginning in October, the theater will offer a variety of programs throughout the remainder of the year. For instance, they’ll show a double feature of Donnie Darko and Southland Tales, while hosting a “q & a” with director, Richard Kelly. A Hocus Pocus Halloween party is also in the works, and Mendelssohn says the theater will remain the home for the JCCP’s Rocky Horror Picture Show performances.
Come 2024, the theater will close once again for major renovations.
“It used to be an atmospheric theater with a dome ceiling,” said Marketing Director Kelsey Zehmisch. “We’re really excited, once the renovation is started, to get to see what’s behind the walls, and get it back to that 1920s glam theater.”
Mendelssohn said the updates will have an “art deco” feel, inspired by the film Metropolis. He said it will be like “no other theater in the country.”
It’s unclear how long the renovations will take, particularly because of how extensive the plans are.
The theater will receive new HVAC systems and other structural upgrades, in addition to technology improvements. There will be a new audio system and 70 mm projectors.
Further, Mendelssohn plans to renovate the basement, creating private room rentals where people can host parties or hang out while watching films, playing video games, or performing karaoke.
Mendelssohn said he had been hoping to expand into a larger property and purchased the Hollywood from The Theatre Historical Society of America. The Lawrenceville theater has 84 seats, while the Hollywood has 350.
“It just seemed like the perfect fit and the timing was right, we had the resources to be able to do this,” he said. “The theater in Lawrenceville is doing amazing right now, so we’re able to capitalize on the excitement that’s happening in Lawrenceville and take it here to Dormont.”
A free open house is planned for Oct. 1, where the community will be able to view renderings of the revitalized theater.
Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
TRENDING NOW:
Chiller Theater returning 60 years after original show aired on Channel 11 Man surrenders after shooting, hostage situation in McKeesport Breeze Airways has biggest sale ever, discounting Pittsburgh International Airport flights by 50% VIDEO: Busy Labor Day weekend breaks travel records DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
