The Gillioz Theatre in downtown Springfield, Missouri, is marking its 95th anniversary its month, surviving all sorts of upheaval and trends, including COVID-19.
According to the KY3 station in Springfield, coming through the pandemic was no small feat:
Throughout the years, the theatre has survived the depression, World War II, and most recently the pandemic. Theatre executives say that the community is responsible for keeping the doors open.
“We did experience a pretty major loss of revenue in 2021. 2020 was down about 91-92% over the previous year,” said Executive Director Geoff Steele. “We’ve lost millions of dollars in revenue overall, but we’re still here. The community has been supportive.”
During the pandemic, people could purchase show posters to help keep the lights on. Donations also came in even when tickets were not on sale.
The theater will host a 95th-birthday celebration with a performance Saturday by The Frontmen of Country. The Frontmen are Larry Stewart of Restless Heart, Tim Rushlow, formerly of Little Texas, and Richie McDonald of Lonestar.
According to Cinema Treasures, the Gillioz was built by M.E. Gillioz for $300,000. It opened on Oct. 11, 1926, with the film “Take It from Me,” starring Reginald Denny. That was about a month before the U.S. government officially certified U.S. 66.
It closed in 1979, though it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
The theater reopened in 2006 after a multimillion-dollar renovation. Robert Low, owner of the Prime Inc. trucking company, bought the theater in 2013.
The Gillioz also has hosted the headlining concerts for the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival.
(Image of the Gillioz Theatre in Springfield, Missouri, by Darin House via Flickr)