The Joy Theater, in downtown New Orleans, opening day, Feb. 7, 1947. |
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| Location | 1200 Canal Street New Orleans, Louisiana, USA |
|---|---|
| Type | Indoor theater |
| Opened | 1947 |
| Renovated | 2011 |
| Owner | NOLA Theatre District LLC |
| Seating type | Orchestra, balcony |
| Capacity | 900 |
The Joy Theater is a theater and historic landmark built in 1947 on Canal Street in downtown New Orleans, Louisiana. Renovations in 2011 transformed the former movie palace into a multipurpose theater for live music, stand-up comedy, private functions, and corporate events. The 2011 renovations added a modern sound and lighting system, video monitors, a built-in stage, fixed bars, and on-sight dressing rooms. The theater’s original balcony was retained and includes 253 permanent seats, while the first floor accommodates 405 chairs and flexible floor plans. The theater’s iconic marquee sign was restored, as was the building’s original art deco architecture.[1][2][3]
On February 7, 1947, the Joy Theater opened at a cost of $275,000, with seats for 1,250 patrons. Hailed as "New Orleans' newest and most modern film temple,"[3] the theater was equipped with a crying room, a glass-enclosed area behind the back row that enabled parents with young children to enjoy the show without disturbing the other patrons.[4][5] The Joy was built by long-time theater operators Joy Houck (the theater’s namesake) and Levere Montgomery, Sr. The architect was B. W. Stevens. Lover Come Back starring Lucille Ball was the opening feature.[5]
In 2003, “finally succumbing to the competition from megaplexes with stadium-style seating and a dozen or more screens,” the Joy Theater closed.[3]
In August 2005, the flood following Hurricane Katrina inundated the structure.[5]
In July 2011, the Joy was purchased by NOLA Theatre District LLC, which predicted that, “over the next few years, the upper-end of Canal Street will re-emerge as a focal point in the city’s continued renaissance.”[2][6]
On December 29, 2011, the renovated Joy Theater reopened.[2]