Images of Cowlitz County - Relocation Information

Site Sponsors

Archives

Read past editions of Images of Cowlitz County magazine.

Local Advertisers

Local Advertisers for the Cowlitz County Area

Site Sponsors

Contact Us

Feedback
Let us know your thoughts...

Advertising Info
Need more info? Looking for ad specifications?

Special Section

PeaceHealth - St. John Medical
Click here to read

Local Advertisers

Local Advertisers for the Cowlitz County Area

Culture

Web Page Tools Digg! This Article

Longview's Historic Columbia Theatre Welcomes New Director Morelli

The Columbia Center for the Performing Arts

The Columbia Center for the Performing Arts on Commerce Avenue in downtown Longview celebrates its 25th anniversary season in 2008.

When Gian Paul Morelli moved to Longview from Wisconsin in May 2007‚ he came with a clear vision: to bring the historic Columbia Theatre into the 21st century and ensure it remains a cultural icon in the community.

“It’s an ideal place – a diamond in the rough‚” says Morelli‚ executive director of the Columbia Theatre. “It has a lot of potential to attract people regionally to Longview.”

Morelli‚ who also ran a historic theater in Wisconsin‚ moved to Long­view with his wife‚ Mary Kay.

“We have family in the Pacific Northwest‚ and we saw growth oppor­tunity for Longview with its geographic location‚” Morelli says. “I was also attracted by the challenge and oppor­tunity of seeing the Columbia Theatre go to the next level from a renovations and administration standpoint. It made sense this was the place we should sink our roots in deep.”

Built in 1925‚ the Columbia Theatre has a rich history of vaudeville acts and moving picture shows. The local land­mark was almost torn down after Mount St. Helens erupted in the spring of 1980‚ but a group of determined citizens changed its fate. They raised enough money to purchase the building in 1982 and turned it back into a functional theatrical facility.

Despite the fact that many consider the Columbia Theatre to be a gem in the community‚ it struggles for operating and renovation funds. Morelli hopes to secure a $10 million capital campaign that will help the theater continue to thrive.

“These facilities don’t make money‚ so there’s a cultural value put on them by the community‚” Morelli explains. “Our job is to maintain this facility‚ and our goal is to integrate the theater into the economic development of downtown Longview – to provide energy to draw more business downtown. I’m very optimistic.”

Story by Jessica Mozo
Photo by Michael W. Bunch

Back to top