Laramie Main Street is spearheading efforts to revive the Wyo Theater. The event Friday will feature food from Devine Eats and music from Hazel Miller & The Collective.
The most interesting disparity in Wyoming is perhaps the success of the Wyo Theater in Sheridan and the failure of the Wyo in Laramie. Sheridan is a -real- community. Laramie is a company town. Theater performances in Sheridan are on a quality level of Casper Symphony. Laramie can't manage 'local" stage productions in any theater in the city- and the BS "Laramie community" would not even support the dinner theater at the Wyoming Territorial Park! The (second-run films -only) deed restriction on the Wyo is probably illegal restraint of interstate commerce and doesn't matter (not worth challenging in court) because the world has changed since 2000. Streaming video now rules. First run film (in cinema) is a marginally profitable business at best. This year's release of blockbusters like TOP GUN has been followed in the third quarter by admission (by all major exhibitors like Regal) that the year will end up a bust- or flat at best- financially. There is no parking at the Wyo Laramie. On a year-over-year basis, no staffing continuity will pass on knowledge of how to turn the lights on...or any projectors...without causing damages. I think it will be lucky to reopen and be working at all. Revenue from -any-operations will never cover the cost of maintaining a 100 yo obsolete building. Look at the condition it is now- following superb restoration by the previous owner. It is a perpetual junk pile of a building, falling apart at the seams.
Unfortunately, what this article fails to mention (perhaps Laramie Main Street failed to give the writer this vital material information?) is that the Wyo Theater, years ago, was bound by a deed restriction that prevents it from showing "first run" movies - the only ones that are generally profitable. (The owner of the theater did this as part of a deal in which he also sold the Fox Theater, on 21st Street, to Trans-Lux, which in turn sold it to Regal.) Thus, at best, the Wyo can only be a "repertory" cinema... which, alas, is unlikely ever to turn a profit in the days of Netflix and other streaming services. For this reason, the Wyo Theater is virtually useless as a movie theater unless the deed restriction is lifted. Therefore, it might well be more cost-effective to demolish the building and use the land for a different purpose. It's a shame; I have many fond memories of shows at the Wyo. But unless there's a real need for an auditorium whose primary purpose isn't showing movies (perhaps a conference center?), it's a sad reality that the theater may not be worth renovating.
Can we not focus on the event - good music, great food, community gathering? We’ve put a lot of work into this. Not everything has to be about profits!
Linda: It will probably be a fun event; no question. Also, as you may know, I was the co-founder of the Laramie Film Society, which at one time had high hopes for the revival of the theater. And I am all for good music, great food, and community gatherings. But to focus just on the event, rather than the goal toward which it says it is aimed, would be failing to see the forest for the trees. Have you seen the deed? Does Laramie Main Street realize that the restriction would preclude any of the prospective tenants mentioned in the article from renting the building? Has any thought been given to negotiating to have the restriction removed? (Perhaps this is something you could work on, pro bono, as an attorney.) I'm not trying to be a "party pooper;" however, it would be a shame to pour huge amounts of time, effort, energy, and money into it unless this is done. It's about sustainability; the building could never so much as break even as a theater with the restriction still in place.
Touch some grass, Brett. Anyone would consider your perspective if you truly invested your energy into community building, rather than seeing your community members as profit pigs and chat room villains.
Perhaps YOU see them as that, Billy. I don't. However, I hope we can agree that transparency is important. It's vital for the public to know all of the facts (this very important one was never mentioned in the article) and for our time, money, and energy to be invested wisely. That's how you build a sustainable community.
I think folks will get their money’s worth at this event. Other than paying for a ticket for good food and and an amazing band, no one is investing money. With respect to time and energy, it is a night of entertainment. Please don’t use this platform to make political statements or air grievances. There has been a lot of time and money, used to create a beautiful night of entertainment.
This was my idea and there has been zero funding from the City.
The most interesting disparity in Wyoming is perhaps the success of the Wyo Theater in Sheridan and the failure of the Wyo in Laramie. Sheridan is a -real- community. Laramie is a company town. Theater performances in Sheridan are on a quality level of Casper Symphony. Laramie can't manage 'local" stage productions in any theater in the city- and the BS "Laramie community" would not even support the dinner theater at the Wyoming Territorial Park! The (second-run films -only) deed restriction on the Wyo is probably illegal restraint of interstate commerce and doesn't matter (not worth challenging in court) because the world has changed since 2000. Streaming video now rules. First run film (in cinema) is a marginally profitable business at best. This year's release of blockbusters like TOP GUN has been followed in the third quarter by admission (by all major exhibitors like Regal) that the year will end up a bust- or flat at best- financially. There is no parking at the Wyo Laramie. On a year-over-year basis, no staffing continuity will pass on knowledge of how to turn the lights on...or any projectors...without causing damages. I think it will be lucky to reopen and be working at all. Revenue from -any-operations will never cover the cost of maintaining a 100 yo obsolete building. Look at the condition it is now- following superb restoration by the previous owner. It is a perpetual junk pile of a building, falling apart at the seams.
Unfortunately, what this article fails to mention (perhaps Laramie Main Street failed to give the writer this vital material information?) is that the Wyo Theater, years ago, was bound by a deed restriction that prevents it from showing "first run" movies - the only ones that are generally profitable. (The owner of the theater did this as part of a deal in which he also sold the Fox Theater, on 21st Street, to Trans-Lux, which in turn sold it to Regal.) Thus, at best, the Wyo can only be a "repertory" cinema... which, alas, is unlikely ever to turn a profit in the days of Netflix and other streaming services. For this reason, the Wyo Theater is virtually useless as a movie theater unless the deed restriction is lifted. Therefore, it might well be more cost-effective to demolish the building and use the land for a different purpose. It's a shame; I have many fond memories of shows at the Wyo. But unless there's a real need for an auditorium whose primary purpose isn't showing movies (perhaps a conference center?), it's a sad reality that the theater may not be worth renovating.
Can we not focus on the event - good music, great food, community gathering? We’ve put a lot of work into this. Not everything has to be about profits!
Linda: It will probably be a fun event; no question. Also, as you may know, I was the co-founder of the Laramie Film Society, which at one time had high hopes for the revival of the theater. And I am all for good music, great food, and community gatherings. But to focus just on the event, rather than the goal toward which it says it is aimed, would be failing to see the forest for the trees. Have you seen the deed? Does Laramie Main Street realize that the restriction would preclude any of the prospective tenants mentioned in the article from renting the building? Has any thought been given to negotiating to have the restriction removed? (Perhaps this is something you could work on, pro bono, as an attorney.) I'm not trying to be a "party pooper;" however, it would be a shame to pour huge amounts of time, effort, energy, and money into it unless this is done. It's about sustainability; the building could never so much as break even as a theater with the restriction still in place.
Touch some grass, Brett. Anyone would consider your perspective if you truly invested your energy into community building, rather than seeing your community members as profit pigs and chat room villains.
Perhaps YOU see them as that, Billy. I don't. However, I hope we can agree that transparency is important. It's vital for the public to know all of the facts (this very important one was never mentioned in the article) and for our time, money, and energy to be invested wisely. That's how you build a sustainable community.
I think folks will get their money’s worth at this event. Other than paying for a ticket for good food and and an amazing band, no one is investing money. With respect to time and energy, it is a night of entertainment. Please don’t use this platform to make political statements or air grievances. There has been a lot of time and money, used to create a beautiful night of entertainment.
This was my idea and there has been zero funding from the City.
Not trying to get political; just want to make sure the right thing happens. Let's talk more offline.