EVERETT — Curt Shriner sits at his computer checking voicemails in his office at the Historic Everett Theatre surrounded by pictures of past concerts and playbills. A short trip deep into the catacombs of the theater through the green room reveals a history of shows: from Helen Keller and Nat King Cole to the Little River Band.
Shriner, who has run the theater since 2014, takes great joy in its long history not only in the community, but also within his family.
“My wife and I met here and actually eventually got married on stage. Beyond that, the theater has hosted a who’s who of legendary performances and acts,” Shriner said.
Shriner said he knows how important it is to keep the 109-year-old theater going.
“Everett deserves to have a little history left before it all gets torn down,” Shriner said.
The theater, which is a registered nonprofit and opened its doors in 1901, is struggling with upkeep and preservation. Many of the walls and moldings that line the walls need repair, as one example.
“Carpets need some work, scaffolding to do painting, clean water in the green room, so much stuff to be done, it’s hard to put it all in words,” Shriner said.
Shriner’s’s brother has wanted to put the theater up for sale, citing a desire to retire. Craig Shriner has granted his brother more time to get a group together to help save the theater. Craig owns a majority stake in the theater, allowing Curt to run operations with his 1 percent ownership overall. Curt Shriner said that once all the expenses to put on a show
are paid, the remaining profits go into the preservation of the theater.
“All of the money that is over and above the cost goes back into the nonprofit,” Shriner said.
The long-term goal, Shriner said, is to raise $50,000 to help continue with renovations, and continue the long-standing tradition the theater has in the Everett community.
To help raise awareness and money, a benefit concert by legendary musician and harmonicist Lee Oskar is taking place on March 6 at 7 p.m.
Oskar was born in Denmark and moved to the United States in 1966 to advance his musical ambitions. He’s most famous for his time with the band War and his own hit 1978 song “Before the Rain,” which has over 1 million views on YouTube.
Oskar spoke to the importance and historic relevance of the theater.
“It’s one of those old traditional theaters with a balcony and the whole deal. When the news came operations were getting difficult, we decided to sponsor an event,” Oskar said.
The long-time harmonicist now lives in Everett and plays the occasional show while tending to his line of harmonica products. He said he feels the upcoming benefit concert can entice others to get involved.
“One hundred percent of ticket sales from the benefit will go to the establishment to fund operations, and I think soon after others will get involved as well,” Oskar said.
Stephanie Honn, who has helped with marketing for the theater, was in awe when she attended her first show there.
“I was shocked at how beautiful the theater was, soon after I got involved in helping out,” Honn said.
“For those who can’t attend the benefit concert but still want to contribute can donate via a GoFundme that’s
been set up, and again everything is tax deductible,” Honn said.
