The Saint George Theater stands as an architectural icon built in 1929 and inspired by Solomon Brill’s desire to bring vaudeville and cinema to the borough of Staten Island.  His vision was nothing short of grand as the structure’s cathedral-like scope and scale rivaled Manhattan’s finest cinematic institutions.  In a time when Hollywood had begun to monopolize the cinema circuit, Brill was truly at the forefront of the concept of the independent art-house style of film and theater presentation. This massive 2800 seat theater with elaborate Spanish and Italian Baroque décor features stained glass chandeliers that illuminate two marvelous winding staircases. The massive lobby boasts an array of stunning paintings depicting a bullfight and a Spanish village while tiled fountains contribute to the ornate extravaganza of the theater.

Since Brill’s death, the theater has undergone several changes of hands and in 2004, Mrs. Rosemary Cappozalo with her daughters, Luanne Sorrentino, and Doreen Cugno, started a not-for-profit organization to save this historic theatre from being torn down. The family contributed over one million in life savings to keep the building from being destroyed.

 

Today, thanks to their vision and the contributions of many private donors, the theater thrives as it delivers cinema, live concerts, and music-based tributes in the spirit that Brill had intended.

Again, this testament to beauty and majesty is a short five-minute walk from the Staten Island Ferry landing, just another treasure tucked away in the Saint George section of Staten Island.