Only a handful
of historic theaters remain in Florida. The Milane Amusement Company
developed the building, which originally was known as the Milane
Theater. Incorporated in 1922, the Company derived its name by combining
parts of the names of its president, Frank L. Miller, and
Vice-president, Edward F. Lane.
The Theatre is built on the site of the former Star Theatre, which was a
failed movie house that had stood abandoned several years, and began
making plans for the new entertainment center. Augusta, Georgia
Architects Scroggs and Ewing were hired to prepare the plans. The
Georgia architects associated with Sanford Architect Elton J. Moughton
for the project. Moughton, over the years, prepared plans for many of
Sanford's buildings.
When completed
in July 1923, Sanford's Milane Theater seated 823 patrons, contained a
four-story fly, and included a proscenium arch and orchestra pit. Live
dramas and movies were well- attended. The editors of the Sanford Daily
Herald proclaimed the building as "a much needed asset in the City
Substantial", and boasted that "this city now has a real theater and one
of which the City can well feel proud".
During its
historic period, 1923-1950, the Theatre building accommodated live stage
shows and motion pictures. Early features at the Milane included
"Sherlock Holmes" with John Barrymore, "Good-Bye Girls" with William
Russell: and "Three Ages" with Buster Keaton. Segments of "Good-Bye
Girls" were filmed in Sanford. In 1936, the management inaugurated its
"March of Progress" season with hits that later received nominations for
Academy Awards-"Tale of Two Cities" and "Trail of the Lonesome Pine".
The Ritz
community Theater Projects, Inc., under the leadership of Helen L.
Stairs, a local resident and real estate broker, a Not-for-profit
Corporation was formed and they began applying for grants to restore the
building.
The Board of
Directors of the Ritz Community Theater Projects, Inc. renamed the
Theatre the Helen Stairs Theatre
for the Performing Arts in honor of Helen Stairs who lead
the restoration effort. The newly restored Theatre was dedicated to the
Community during the grand re-opening gala, May 6, 2000. Congressman
John Mica officiated and famed actress/singer Melba Moore performed. The
Theatre enjoys recognition in the Congressional Records of the United
States and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. In
July 2001, former President/CEO of the Sanford/Seminole County Chamber
of Commerce and Theatre Board member, Ronald E. Rose, was hired as the
newly restored Theatre's first full-time employee.
