Philadelphia's Uptown Theater

uptown theaterPhiladelphia's -

Written & Photographed by Taylor Addison

"what is that building?"

Is it vacant? Who do you think played there? What happened to it? All these questions have been asked about the Uptown Theater.

The theater sits on N. Broad Street, near Dauphin, and is 0.2 miles North of Temple University. The once bustling theater known to house some of the country's best Black musical talent, rests vacant. The theater opened February 16, 1929 for the Warner Bros. Theater circuit.

Uptown Theater on 2400 N. Broad St. Photographed in Feb. 2023.

(Pictured below) A wooden sign on the front entrance of the Uptown Theater. Photographed in Feb. 2023.

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Philadelphia's Uptown Theater

The Uptown Theater on opening day: Feb. 16, 1929. Photograph uploaded to Cinema

Treasures in Feb. 2016.

living history

Georgie Woods, radio personality and active participant in the Civil Rights Movement is credited with turning the Uptown Theater into one of the central locations of the “Chitlin’ Circuit”: an informal name given to American performance venues safe for Black performers during segregation. Under Woods, The Uptown held “freedom shows” for civil rights promotion, and donated the profits to charity. A Philadelphia branch of the NAACP honored Woods at a ceremony within the Uptown. In 1971, Wood’s bookings were grossing $250,000/year. However, after Woods left in 1972, the theater faced a steep decline and by 1978, it was forced to close.

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In the 1980s, The Uptown opened its doors again to church members. Services were held within the Uptown’s walls until 1991. The church was forced to vacate the property permanently due to severe damage in the roof from a storm. For more than a decade, the Uptown was untouched.

In 2002, The Uptown Entertainment and Development Corporation (UEDC) bought the theater. The nonprofit’s mission is to develop and revitalize buildings within downtrodden neighborhoods. Through fundraising efforts, the UEDC was able to raise enough money to restore the building’s exterior and stabilize the roof.

uptown's fate

UEDC also renovated the attached four-floor office space. They plan to use funds raised from renting out the office space to fully renovate the roof and auditorium so the Uptown can be used for the performing arts once again. However, the UEDC estimates the refurbishment would cost $8 million dollars. Despite the cost, UEDC has large hopes for the future and they firmly stand by their goal of reopening the Uptown for public use.

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(Pictured left) A broken window & trash in the Uptown's side courtyard. Photographed in Feb. 2023.

Uptown's people of the past

Two individuals walk past the marquee of the Uptown in April, 1972. Photographed by Sam Psoras/ Daily News

The Africamericas Festival occurs within & outside the Uptown in 1987. Entertainment and a parade follow.

Photograph archived in the Collection of the Office of the City Representative.

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HINTS of THE PAST

The main entrance's weathered ceiling and light fixtures.

Photographed in Feb. 2023.

The Uptown's original plaque surrounded by an updated mural.

Photographed in Feb. 2023.

The Uptown's main entrance with mural art by Randy Bullock.

Photographed in Feb. 2023.

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the past & Present

The marquee of the Uptown in May 1963. Photographed by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images. The marquee of the Uptown in Feb. 2023. The South side of the Uptown photographed on N. Broad St. Unknown date. Photograph uploaded to DOR Archives.

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The South side of the Uptown photographed on N. Broad St. in Feb. 2023.