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A look back at the Stanley from 1928 to 2007's cement pouring

By By KRISTEN COPELAND

Story Created: Apr 3, 2008 at 2:38 PM EDT

Story Updated: Apr 3, 2008 at 6:04 PM EDT

UTICA - It was on September 10, 1928 that the doors of the Stanley Theater first opened up. The very next day, the silent film "Ramona" was played on the silver screen.

1958 was a big year for the Stanley and the City of Utica. The Broadway Theater League came to town to perform "Auntie Mame."

Fast forward 16 years - the Stanley was set to be torn down as part of an urban renewal project. But the Central New York Community Arts Council wouldn't let that happen. It bought the theater to keep it open.

Since then, more than $5 million helped keep the theater functional. And in July 2006, the ground breaking on the multi-million dollar project took place.

That brings us to March 27, 2007 - the last show before the major renovation work was set to begin. The Wynton Marsalis Orchestra took the stage. Then it was lights out.

It would take the entire Spring and Summer seasons before onlookers started to see developments at the construction site. Lots of commotion but not a lot of structure.

That is, until mid-September of last year. 310 yards of concrete was poured behind the theater, where 80 construction workers paved the way for the world stage.