Eastern Shore Focus - Show # 63: The Mar-Va Theater Reborn (Pt. 2)

By WESM News / Stephen Williams

PRINCESS ANNE, MD –

To listen to this show:
Please click on the "Play" icon on the above media player.

Show Information:

Show Number: 63
Subject(s): The Mar-Va Theater Reborn (Part 2)
Guest(s):
- Dr. Arnold Torres, President of the Mar-Va Theater Board
- Mr. Curt Lippoldt, Board Member / Former Mayor of Pocomoke City
- Ms. Ann Glovier, Board Secretary
Original Airdate: Monday, November 24, 2008
Running Time: 29 minutes

Brief Synopsis:

Going as far back as the late 1920s through the early 1930s, the Mar-Va Theater - located in Pocomoke City, Maryland - featured a variety of Vaudeville performances and other staged acts that drew famous performers from across the country.

This included some of the old-time cowboy actors, such as Tom Mix, Roy Rogers, Smiley Burnett and Hop-a-Long Cassidy - who eventually expanded their popularity into television, film and radio.

Constructed in 1927, the Pocomoke City-based Mar-Va Theater underwent a major renovation in 1937. It was eventually purchased by former Pocomoke mayor, J. Dawson Clarke.

In its heyday, the theater was a center of attraction that featured movies, newsreels, staged acts and musical performances - drawing visitors from across the region.

In Part 1 of this program, we spoke with several members of the Mar-Va Theater Performing Arts Center Board, and learned about the history of the Mar-Va Theater. We also discovered how members of the community in Pocomoke City were able to raise the funds necessary to restore and eventually re-open the theater, after it closed in 1993 due to extensive water damage.

In this program, which is Part 2, we'll take you through take a guided tour through the newly revitalized theater, as I walk through the venue with Dr. Arnold Torres, President of the Theater Board; as well as with Board Member Curt Lippoldt, former mayor of Pocomoke City; and Board Secretary Ann Glovier - who helped to found the "Save the Mar-Va Committee."

This guided tour was recorded on November 10, 2008.

Additional Links & Information:

Eastern Shore Focus - Show # 62: The Mar-Va Theater Reborn (Pt. 1):
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wesm/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1417443

Mar-Va Theater Performing Arts Center, Inc.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 537
Street Address: 103 Market Street
Pocomoke City, MD 21851
Phone: 410-957-4230
Website: http://www.mar-vatheater.org/

Questions or Comments?

E-mail us: wesm913@umes.edu
Or call 410-651-8001