Timeline
West Theater (1941-1987)
Green Bay's historic Tarlton Theatre was initially designed and constructed c. 1924-1925 as an automobile dealership. By 1941, under the ownership of the Standard Theatres Management Corporation, the building was reimagined by Perry Crosier, an architect known for the Art Deco and Art Moderne theatres he designed throughout the American Midwest. The building was converted to a Streamline Moderne-style, single-screen, first-run cinema and opened on November 14, 1941 as West Theater (pictured, c. 1941).
West Theater (Cont.)
Despite changing ownership several times throughout the years, West Theater (pictured, c. 1986) remains Green Bay's longest running cinema.
West Pitcher Show (1987-2000)
On June 12, 1987, West Theatre became the West Pitcher Show (pictured, c. 1997), a brew-and-view, second-run cinema serving beer and pizza at tables.
In 1999, Green Bay’s historic westside theatre was placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior as part of the Broadway-Walnut Historic District. Its doors closed on November 25, 2000.
Historic West Theatre (2000-2005)
Between 2000-2001, Green Bay’s westside theatre underwent significant renovations for the performing arts including a large stage and a dance floor.
On February 9, 2001, the West opened again as Historic West Theatre (pictured, c. 2002 with owner Mark Mariucci), a first-run cinema showing independent and arthouse film during the week and a dance club on weekends.
The Tarlton Theatre (2018-present)
Over a decade since a movie last played on its screen, the doors of the historic West Theater reopened on December 15, 2018 as The Tarlton Theatre. Restored by owners Tarlton Knight and Mark Mariucci as an Art Deco cinema and performing arts venue with bars and a restaurant, The Tarlton has become the downtown home of the Green Bay Film Festival, the Green Bay Jazz Orchestra, and over a dozen area arts, cultural, and community organizations.
On March 11, 2022, The Tarlton Theatre became the home of The Weidner Downtown At The Tarlton, a fine arts and cultural partnership with The Weidner and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
Historic Preservation
Historic West, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Historic West Fund ("Historic West") is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to preserving and restoring the historic Tarlton Theatre, known historically as the West Theater. Formed with the mission of preserving and restoring The Tarlton Theatre's historical architecture and artistic relevance, Historic West's continued mission includes funding the preservation, restoration, and renovation of our city's historic westside showplace. Click for a history of the The Tarlton Theatre and the previous lives of Green Bay's westside theatre. Please consider supporting our mission with a charitable, tax-deductible contribution by contacting our team.