First it was the Comerford Theater a.k.a. the Paramount Theater. Then after decades of decline an extensive remodeling project took place and today it’s known as the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts. A historic movie theater built in 1937.

The 4-bay wide terra cotta and marble front facade is a throwback to the Vaudeville era and the roaring 20s with a stylized ziggurat composition, a central tower, corrugated steel decorations and a marquee.

The Kirby is located on Public Square and is one of few pre-war buildings still standing downtown. The Art Deco, irregular trapezoidal shaped building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and has seen hundreds of big name acts including Cyndi Lauper (the red tour bus and who could be heard belting out her vocals all way from outside) and Chubby Checker whose name is conspicuously displayed on the motor coach with one of his entourage, Matthew Stewart of Wilmington, Delaware giving Partyclique the thumbs up!

Backstage @ The Kirby In Wilkes-Barre, Pa.