Unveiling the Magic: Tales and Transformations of Marion's Lincoln Theatre

What Upcoming Shows Are Scheduled At The Lincoln Theatre, Marion VA?

Step into the enchanting world of The Lincoln Theatre with our special guest, Executive Director Bob Watkins, as he guides us through the captivating tales behind this Mayan revival masterpiece in Marion, Virginia. Ever wondered what it was like when Roy Rogers graced the stage or how a silent film accompanied by a live orchestra can transport you back to 1929? Bob takes us on a nostalgic journey from the theatre's celebrated opening to its current status as a vibrant entertainment hub, sharing unforgettable moments and the theatre's storied past.

Anticipation is in the air as Bob teases an exciting lineup that promises to thrill audiences. October marks the launch of the Thirsty Thursdays program, promising an array of captivating shows. Get ready for the live performance of the spine-chilling "Old Gods of Appalachia" podcast, perfectly set for the Halloween season, and the magic of classic films like "Gone with the Wind" that will have you reminiscing about the theater's golden days. Whether you're a history enthusiast or a fan of live performances, this episode is packed with insights and upcoming events that will leave you eager to visit The Lincoln Theatre.

To learn more about The Lincoln Theatre go to:
https://www.thelincoln.org/

The Lincoln Theatre
117 E. Main Street
Marion, Virginia  24354
276-783-6092

To learn more about The Lincoln Theatre visit:
https://www.TheLincoln.org/
The Lincoln Theatre
117 E. Main Street
Marion, Virginia 24354
276-783-6092

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:03):
Welcome to On Stage with the Lincoln Theater, where
history and entertainment stealthe show Dive into the rich
legacy of this iconic Mayanrevival theater, from its 1929
debut to its starring role inMarion, Virginia's entertainment
scene.
Guiding us through this journeyis the man in the spotlight,
our executive director, BobWatkins.

Speaker 2 (00:34):
Looking for your next unforgettable night out?
The Lincoln Theater in Marion,Virginia, has a lineup of shows
that will knock your socks offand maybe even your popcorn.
Join us as we chat with BobWatkins, Executive Director, to
get the inside scoop on what'shitting the stage next.
I'm Skip Mauney, co-host slashproducer, back in the studio

(00:55):
with Executive Director BobWatkins.
Bob, how's it going?
It's going great here.
How are you doing, Skip?
I'm doing just fine, doing justfine.
So the focus of this episode iswhat big shows you have
upcoming at the Lincoln Theater.
But before we do that, I wantedto ask what are some of the
more memorable shows that you'vehad at the theater that you're

(01:16):
most proud?

Speaker 3 (01:17):
of the theater, being as old as it is, has hosted
quite a few really goodperformances over the years.
I do know that one historicalevent that occurred was Roy
Rogers was on stage here at theLincoln Theater at one time, and
he also even walked his horseacross the stage as well.

(01:37):
That was back in the day there.
I obviously wasn't able towitness that myself, but I still
hear stories about that one forsure, some of our recent ones.
We had Molly Hatchet here earlyin January this year and that
was a sellout crowd.
It was probably one of thefirst rock shows that was hosted

(01:57):
here.
It was a big time show.
Aaron Tippin visited here thispast April.
He brought a big crowd and alot of energy.
Rhonda Benson's been herebefore.
She's coming back in November.
That's always a big, memorablemoment.
As well as with Daly and Benson.
They've been here several timesand they're set to come back
this December for a Christmasshow.
One of the most memorableperformances I had the

(02:21):
opportunity to see here was asilent film.
We did a Clara Bow film and itwas accompanied by the Kingsport
Symphony Orchestra.
They did the score for theentire movie when you were
sitting in that theater lookingat the silent film on stage,
hearing the orchestra, it feltlike you went back to 1929.
It was amazing.

Speaker 2 (02:41):
Wow, I bet Roy Rogers , huh, yeah, how about that?
And Trigger too?
Yeah, trigger was on there.
Wow, you mentioned silent film.
I'm a major old movie, classicmovie buff and I love to see
them on the big screen.
Gone with the Wind have youever had that there and would
you do it again?

(03:01):
Yeah, absolutely.

Speaker 3 (03:03):
Kate Anirud is our film curator and she works in
the box office as well.
She has been doing a historicalreview of all of the films that
have been aired, from 29 untilthey closed the theater in 77.
They did show Gone with theWind.
I think that was one of theirquarter films that they would
have 25 cents get you in to seethat back in the day.

(03:25):
I don't know if we could goahead and retain those prices to
have people come in, but it issomething that we're definitely
considering doing some re-showsof some of the movies that were
screened here in the past forsure you got to.

Speaker 2 (03:38):
let me know when Gone with the Wind is there, because
I would love to see that inyour theater.
I can't imagine how awesomethat would be.
So the big question is, bob,what's coming up at the Lincoln
Theater?
Any shows that'll have usrushing for tickets like Black
Friday?

Speaker 3 (03:53):
Yeah, I would hope so .
We have a lot of stuff going onin October.
October is going to be theinitial or inaugural event
Thirsty Thursdays program.
That's a program that we'rejust kicking off this month and
it's got several awards therefor her most recent album.
But yeah, we're looking forwardto hosting that.
And then we have Old Gods ofAppalachia coming on the second

(04:31):
Thirsty Thursday of the month inOctober 24th.
That'll be a fun Halloweenperformance there.
So Old Gods of Appalachia is apodcast that talks about some
scary thriller type things there.
So they're going to come in anddo a live performance here on
stage and that's going to be afun time as well.
As always, song of the Mountainsis the first Saturday of every

(04:52):
month.
So October 5th we're going tohave the Gibson Brothers as a
headliner and ETSU's BluegrassPride Band is going to be here
as a secondary with them.
On October 5th Gene Watson ison his farewell tour.
He's going to be here for dualshows Saturday, october 18th and
Sunday, october 19th.
Then Pam Tillis is going to hitthe stage.

(05:13):
She's a very popular countrysinger from the early 90s.
She's still been touringhardcore.
She's going to be here on stageand close out the month of
October, for us October 27th.
So a lot of fun stuff going onhere.
Hoping that Thirsty Thursdaysreally kicks off and brings some
people downtown here to Marionto enjoy some of the restaurants

(05:34):
and establishments downtown andthen come into the theater for
a show and then extend a weekendhere just to see the scenery
around Smith County.

Speaker 2 (05:45):
Wow, thirsty Thursday .
I know baseball.
Thirsty Thursday means cheapbeer.

Speaker 3 (05:50):
That's exactly what it's going to entail as well.
Absolutely, beer makeseverything better.

Speaker 2 (05:56):
So quick question Do you ever get tempted to throw
your own name on the playbill?

Speaker 3 (06:01):
Bob Watkins, the musical had a nice ring to it,
well my whole goal is to selltickets, so I don't know if my
name on the playbill is going todo that.
So who knows, maybe I'll havean open mic night and I'll do
some stand-up act or somethinglike that.
Usually when I stand up, peoplelaugh, so that might work.

Speaker 2 (06:21):
One of the follow-up questions I had for you was is
there any chance we'll seesomething so captivating that
people will actually stoptexting in the middle of the
show?
I think the Bob Watkinsstand-up would be that.
I would think it very wellcould be.
Yeah, Very well could be.
Well, awesome, bob.
It sounds like you've got a lotof great shows coming up.
You said Pam Tillis, is it?

(06:42):
That's Mel Tillis' daughter, Ithink.
Right, is that correct?
I believe so.
Yes, yeah, yep, I believe that.
So, and the big Rhonda Vincentfan.
So I'm really excited.
I'm going to start making plansnow to hit several of the shows
, especially on Thirsty Thursday.

Speaker 3 (06:57):
Heck yeah.

Speaker 2 (07:07):
And I hope you'll do the stand up on Thirsty Thursday
.
All right, all right Soundsgreat, great well I love it, bob
.

Speaker 1 (07:12):
We'll catch you on the next episode.
Have a great day.
Thanks you too.
Thanks for tuning in to onstage with the lincoln theater.
Want more of mary andvirginia's entertainment scene?
Visit us online at thelincolnorg yes, that's
thelincolnorg.
Yes, that's thelincolnorg.
Or drop by our theater at 117East Main Street.
Let's keep the arts alive andkicking together.