HISTORY
The Old Gem Theater has a long history as a community-gathering place and focal point for high quality entertainment in New Richmond and St. Croix County. Originally called the ‘Gem’ the theater was opened in 1916 as a vaudeville house. With the advent of film, the theater was quickly converted to a movie house, playing the latest entertainment of the times – silent films. Throughout the 1920s, the Gem was the region’s only movie house for silent films and later, talkies. In 1960, candidate John F. Kennedy made a historic visit to the Gem giving a speech to area residents during his campaign for President. By the late 1980s, the aging building had fallen into disrepair. In the fall of 1990 the building underwent extensive restorations and was re-outfitted for live theater, and became the new home for the “Stagedoor Players.”
In 2002 new owners, Rick Coleman and Kathy Welch, re-christened the building the ‘Old Gem Theater’ in honor of the building's historic and cultural significance to the city of New Richmond and the St. Croix River Valley communities.
GUEST ARTISTS
Today the Old Gem presents a wide variety of live entertainment including comedy, music, dance and professional theater for young and old alike. Comedians Louie Anderson, Scott Hansen, Puke and Snot, Mary Mack and Kevin Kling are just a few of the noted performers who have appeared here over the past several years.
The Old Gem is quickly developing into a favorite destination for area music fans. Musicians love performing at the Old Gem because the exquisite acoustics give the room a rich warm sound. Live concerts by talented artists such as Monroe Crossing, Jack Norton and the Mullet River Boys, the Blue Drifters, the Conrad Johns Jazz Band and Ann Reed are widely popular.
THEATER FOR YOUTH
Each year, over 6000 students attend educational productions at the Old Gem’s “Theater for Youth” productions, such as “Diary of Anne Frank,” “Three Little Pigs,” and “A Thousand Cranes.”
PERFORMING ARTS EDUCATION
Area youth can participate in and learn about theater by taking acting classes from professional teaching artists at the Old Gem. Students have the opportunity to participate in the Old Gems’ “Youth Performance Ensemble” and appear on-stage in full productions such as “The Little Mermaid,” “Cinderella,” Charlotte’s Web” and “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”
We also offer dance classes for students from 3 years old and up as well as private voice and beginning piano lessons.
COMMUNITY ASSET
The Old Gem brings a lively presence to downtown New Richmond. Theater goers enjoy a pleasurable night on the town by visiting one of the fine local restaurants or pubs before or after an Old Gem Theater production. Audiences love the Old Gem’s Art Deco decor, original light sconces and lovely art-deco murals. The welcoming intimate atmosphere creates a charming setting in which to enjoy classics like Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” an Old Gem original like “Under the Apple Tree,” or one of the many guest artists the Old Gem hosts each year.
The Old Gem Theater has a long history as a community-gathering place and focal point for high quality entertainment in New Richmond and St. Croix County. Originally called the ‘Gem’ the theater was opened in 1916 as a vaudeville house. With the advent of film, the theater was quickly converted to a movie house, playing the latest entertainment of the times – silent films. Throughout the 1920s, the Gem was the region’s only movie house for silent films and later, talkies. In 1960, candidate John F. Kennedy made a historic visit to the Gem giving a speech to area residents during his campaign for President. By the late 1980s, the aging building had fallen into disrepair. In the fall of 1990 the building underwent extensive restorations and was re-outfitted for live theater, and became the new home for the “Stagedoor Players.”
In 2002 new owners, Rick Coleman and Kathy Welch, re-christened the building the ‘Old Gem Theater’ in honor of the building's historic and cultural significance to the city of New Richmond and the St. Croix River Valley communities.
GUEST ARTISTS
Today the Old Gem presents a wide variety of live entertainment including comedy, music, dance and professional theater for young and old alike. Comedians Louie Anderson, Scott Hansen, Puke and Snot, Mary Mack and Kevin Kling are just a few of the noted performers who have appeared here over the past several years.
The Old Gem is quickly developing into a favorite destination for area music fans. Musicians love performing at the Old Gem because the exquisite acoustics give the room a rich warm sound. Live concerts by talented artists such as Monroe Crossing, Jack Norton and the Mullet River Boys, the Blue Drifters, the Conrad Johns Jazz Band and Ann Reed are widely popular.
THEATER FOR YOUTH
Each year, over 6000 students attend educational productions at the Old Gem’s “Theater for Youth” productions, such as “Diary of Anne Frank,” “Three Little Pigs,” and “A Thousand Cranes.”
PERFORMING ARTS EDUCATION
Area youth can participate in and learn about theater by taking acting classes from professional teaching artists at the Old Gem. Students have the opportunity to participate in the Old Gems’ “Youth Performance Ensemble” and appear on-stage in full productions such as “The Little Mermaid,” “Cinderella,” Charlotte’s Web” and “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”
We also offer dance classes for students from 3 years old and up as well as private voice and beginning piano lessons.
COMMUNITY ASSET
The Old Gem brings a lively presence to downtown New Richmond. Theater goers enjoy a pleasurable night on the town by visiting one of the fine local restaurants or pubs before or after an Old Gem Theater production. Audiences love the Old Gem’s Art Deco decor, original light sconces and lovely art-deco murals. The welcoming intimate atmosphere creates a charming setting in which to enjoy classics like Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” an Old Gem original like “Under the Apple Tree,” or one of the many guest artists the Old Gem hosts each year.
