Senate Resolution No. 1865

BY: Senator WEBER

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the
Lafayette Theater of Suffern, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and pay
tribute to those cultural institutions and organizations whose
commitment to promoting the richness and diversity of the arts and
entertainment has contributed to the strength, vitality, and cultural
enrichment of their communities and the great State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Lafayette Theater on March 3,
2024; and

WHEREAS, The Lafayette Theater of Suffern, New York, in Rockland
County, is at the heart of the Suffern community; it opened its doors on
March 3, 1924, at the height of silent film popularity, and thrived with
live vaudeville shows and film presentations; and

WHEREAS, Inspired by the Italian and French Renaissance, the
942-seat Lafayette Theater is a product of the renowned Eugene DeRosa,
who also designed such famed theaters as the Apollo and Broadway
Theater; the marvelous theater includes rows of columns, opera booths,
red velvet drapery, a crystal chandelier, and other fancy flourishes,
such as its famed antique Wurlitzer organ; and

WHEREAS, In 1953, the Lafayette Theater installed equipment to
handle 3-D films, and became the first theatre in Rockland County to
show movies in wide-screen Cinema Scope with stereophonic sound; and

WHEREAS, The Lafayette Theater, in partnering with Good Samaritan
Hospital, received renovations in the 1980s, which refurbished the
stage, and brought about new carpeting and lighting; in 1990, the New
York Theater Organ Society arranged with then-owner Al Venturini, to
install a pipe organ known as the Ben Hall Memorial Mighty Wurlitzer
into the long-empty organ chamber, a sparkling piece of theater history
cherished by residents of the area and far beyond; and

WHEREAS, After a period of adversity and closing briefly, Robert
Benmosche, a resident of Suffern and the CEO of MetLife Insurance, saw
the potential of the theatre and its importance to downtown Suffern; he
purchased the property and made repairs to the roof and the exterior of
the theatre to prevent further damage to the building; and

WHEREAS, In 2002, Robert Benmosche leased the theatre to the Galaxy
Theatre Corporation under the leadership of Nelson Page; he and the
Benmosches made extensive renovations to the interior of the theatre
including restoring the ornate ceiling, and installing a new chandelier
to replace the one removed during the 1930's; Nelson Page also arranged
to have new projection and sound systems installed, an act of these
esteemed men which serves as a testament to the value of investing and
preserving the arts; and

WHEREAS, In August of 2013, the operation of the Lafayette Theater
was turned over to JACA Entertainment Corporation, a company headed by
Ari Benmosche, the son of former owner, Robert Benmosche; and

WHEREAS, Due to the efforts of such dedicated individuals such as
owners, patrons, donors, and dedicated theater attendees over the years,
the Lafayette Theater remains open after a remarkable century of
artistic productions and service to the Suffern community, State, and
Nation at large; and

WHEREAS, A group of Suffern residents formed the Lafayette
Association to Save the Theater (LAST) with the goal of keeping the
historic structure from being carved into a seven-screen multiplex;
their dedication and commitment to the cause proved successful with the
original theater style being preserved for years to come; and

WHEREAS, The Lafayette Theater continues to delight audiences with
film festivals, live performances by local artists, and weekly
performances on its New York Theater Organ Society Ben Hall Wurlitzer
Organ; and

WHEREAS, As the Historic Lafayette Theatre looks back with great
pride to its beginnings, viewing, with just satisfaction, its successful
evolution, it renews both its dedication to supporting artistic
excellence, and its commitment to the community it has been built within
and has served since 1924, expressing its appreciation to all those who
have helped to sustain and enhance it over the years; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Lafayette Theater of Suffern,
New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Lafayette Theater.