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located on each side of the orchestra floor, and represented "an innovation in this city and one which will be fully appreciated."
Fire safety was a big concern, and it was noted the building was "as near fireproof as can be erected." There were nine exits from the first floor, and two fire escapes (besides the stairways) from the balcony. The building could be evacuated in under three minutes. There were stone pipes each side of the stage and fire hoses at various locations. A "smoke skylight" placed over the stage was designed to open automatically in the event of fire to prevent smoke from filling the auditorium and resulting in a panic. The asbestos curtains were of the "latest styles." All in all, the theatre was considered "to be a most model fire proof structure."
An interesting feature of the theatre was the "roof garden". During the warm weather, an audience of 600 could be seated on the roof to watch a movie or live show which could be presented as well as it could be done on the inside. There were two stores on the first floor, and an apartment on the second.
Edwin P. Valkenburgh was the architect. At that time, Mr. Valkenburgh was an alderman; he would later serve as mayor. The Giles, Giles Company was the general contractor Middletown Cornice & Skylight Company did the metal work, the Enterprise Electrical Company did the electrical work, H.E. Gould did the plumbing and heating, Ayres & Galloway provided the hardware. Painting and decorating was done by Stewart & Gannon, the chairs from Haywood Brothers & Wakefield Company, stage equipment, curtains, and scenery from New York Studios, and the simplex projector was from the Precision Machine Company of New York.
It was advertised the theatre would present three vaudeville acts and four reels of pictures at each performance. Many of the pictures "were made locally," it was noted. The cost of the theatre was said to have been about $60,000.
The Alhambra's grand opening was to have been September 10, 1913, but had to be postponed as needed equipment had not arrived. Finally the theatre opened on Wednesday night, September 17. The first show was at 7:15; the second at 9:00. There were three vaudeville acts - Hawley & Allen, Jack Bancroft, and Masion Dean, as well as Bob Nixon, a "singer of illustrated songs" who had been obtained for this special occasion. Four reels of "the best pictures obtainable" were shown. Admission was . 10. Matinees at 2:15 daily would cost 10 for adults and .05 for children.
Several years later the name was changed to the "Show Shop." Many amateur productions were done at the Show Shop; including those of the Middletown Players Club in the 1920's and 1930's. The Show Shop was closed in the early 1930's.
THE STATE