History

Lackawanna College has brought life back to one of the architectural and cultural gems of the region by restoring the elegant auditorium on its main campus in downtown Scranton. The theater, which dates to 1923, had a distinguished history. Blessed with fine acoustics and enhanced by lavish decor, it was the scene of concerts, operas and musicals and home to a variety of world famous performers such as Sergei Rachmaninoff, Marian Anderson, John Phillip Sousa and Allan Jones in its early years. The facility had ceased serving as a concert hall by the mid-1940's and had been vacant since 1991.

Lackawanna College found the auditorium in very poor condition with extensive plaster and water damage. The electrical, heating and ventilating systems were useless. The College undertook an extensive rejuvenation of the house to bring it back to the state of its glory days. The theater's ornamentation was carefully refurbished and repainted, and then highlighted with gold leafing. The leaded glass windows and exit signs were removed and sent out for expert restoration. Plush seats were installed with leg room greatly increased. The stage was extended over four feet. The theater's capacity was reduced to approximately 1000 in the orchestra and balcony. Because the theater is air conditioned, it can be utilized year round.

Renamed the Mellow Theater in honor of distinguished alumnus, Sen. Robert Mellow, the facility reopened on March 2, 1999, with a chamber orchestra concert. The theater, its decor and acoustics were lavishly praised by the community and the local media. Children's theater, choral groups, dance companies, public hearings, dramatic productions, popular and classical concerts, individual recitals and variety shows have all been featured in the theater since it reopened.

Lackawanna College utilizes the facility for institutional purposes such as graduation, assemblies and lectures. The theater is also used for community activities and by local arts organizations. The college views the theater as contributing significantly to its educational mission. It aids the college's students in the study of the dramatic arts and introduces them to the richness of arts literature and tradition. In addition, the theater will help foster the growth and expansion of existing area cultural and arts groups and encourage the creation of new, vibrant organizations, thereby expanding cultural opportunities for community residents. Lackawanna College is developing a dramatic arts degree program and an arts academy utilizing the Mellow Theater.