User:Estan3840j/thefrontrowtheater

The Front Row Theater was a multi-purpose theater located in Highland Heights, Ohio on Wilson Mills Road just west of Interstate 271. It officially opened July 5 1974 at a cost of $3 millon. Larry Dolin served as the theater's founder and president.

Production and Development
Shaker Heights resident Richard Jencen was the chief architect of the theater. Jencen designed the theater with a 3,200 seat capacity and circular revolving stage at the center. The revolving stage allowed for all patrons an excellent view of the performance. An orchestra pit was included just off the main stage. The circular, dome-like design was also void of any support beams that might obstruct the patrons view. Not since the Cleveland Play House had an all-weather performance theater been constructed in the greater Cleveland area. The dimensions of the building were 300 feet by 270 feet with 21 rows of seats and the last row being only 59 feet from the stage.

Early Years
The Front Row Theater started out with five originals owners: Nate (former co-owner of the Cleveland Indians during the 1950s) and Mollie Dolin of Bratneahl, Dominic Visconsi of  Chagrin Falls, Larry Dolin of  Beachwood, and Len Luxenberg. However, just a year later in 1975 Visconsi sold his share of the theater leaving only the Dolins as the chief owners. Dolin claimed that it was one of the most successful venues in the country adding, "We made money on nearly every show. " Another year later the company was sold SeeBurg Industries in  Chicago for $3 million With Dolin remaining president. Opening day at The Front Row Theater was July 5, 1974 with Sammy Davis, Jr. being the inaugural performance. He performed for more than week because of the high demand and anticipation of the venue. Tickets originally cost a mere $5.50 but rose to $27.50 by the time of the theaters closing. The Theater was subscription based in its early days meaning performers had to subscribe in order to appear at the venue. Marketing director Jeannie Esmer said that the venue averaged around 200 bookings per year with the majority of those being one-nighters.

Notable Acts and Performance
Frankie Vallie and The Four Seasons- August 12, 1980 Miles Davis- November 4, 1982 Luther Vandross November 24, 1982 Marvin Gaye July 4, 1983 Frank Zappa- November 14, 1984 Four Tops- February 22, 1985 The Temptations- February 22, 1985 James Brown- May 4, 1985 The Oak Ridge Boys- May 26, 1985 Kenny G- August 15, 1985 Roy Orbison- December 4, 1988 The Jackson 5 Jay Leno Jerry Seinfeld Anita Baker

Closing
The Front Row Theater's stage turned for nineteen years before Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Roy Orbison played the theater's final concert on December 4, 1988. Ironically enough Orbison died just a few days after the theater's final performance making it his final performance as well. Theater operations would move to downtown Cleveland and be merged with Playhouse Square which had just renovated its State, Palace and Ohio theaters. Dolin cited two main reasons for the closing. He stated that the building was in need of costly repairs and that Downtown Cleveland deserved a chance to be revitalized. The Front Row Theater employed 17 people full time however not all of them were given employment at the downtown location. The theater was demolished in 1995 and a Home Depot, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Kohls now stand in its place.