Maine’s State Theatre Marquee Restored

https://www.facebook.com/statetheatreportland/photos – Twiddle
Twiddle performs at the State Theatre in Portland, Maine, Feb. 25, 2018.

After months of work, the State Theatre in Portland, Maine, has unveiled its restored marquee featuring almost 800 light bulbs.

The marque was restored to its original appearance, with lettering and scroll work based off historic photographs from the 1930s. The only change made to the sign are light panels on the side referencing upcoming shows.

The restoration is one of the final projects from Portland’s Façade Improvement Grant/Match Program, which renovates the city’s Congress Street. Portland has provided $18,000 in Façade grants through the program.  

The 1,929-capacity theatre is the city’s oldest surviving movie palace and now serves as Portland’s destination live music venue. Matt And Kim, Bleachers, Steve Aoki, Bon Iver and St. Vincent have all played the theatre in the past year, among others.

Alex Crothers of Higher Ground Presents, which promotes the State Theatre, said in a statement, “When we took ownership of the theatre in 2010, most of our focus was on the interior renovations, so we’re thrilled to finally restore the only remaining historic marquee in Portland.  This is just another terrific step in the rejuvenation of the Congress Street corridor.”

The State Theatre is booked for plenty of dates this summer, including Belle And Sebastian, The Decemberists, Courtney Barnett, The Flaming Lips and Rise Against.