The Uptown Theatre was donated by Margie (Ghosen) Wagenknecht to Sedalia Downtown Development Inc. Her family, starting with her father, have been entertaining Sedalia with movies and stage shows since the 1920's. First with three downtown theaters including the Fox and the Star. Later the family operated the Hiway 50 Drive In (from 1949), Jerry Lewis Cinemas at the State Fair Shopping Center (197
6) and finally the Galaxy Cinemas on the site of the former drive-in (1998). Before donating the Uptown, Margie paid to repair the theatre's leaky roof, greatly slowing the pace of deterioration. Now, it's up to the local community to step up and see that this gift counts. Cash contributions will be required to fund needed improvements so that the theatre can be a venue for live music, popular speakers and comedy acts, corporate, social or political gatherings...a true multi-purpose building. Renovation is under way and there are many upcoming "Work Days" you can be a part of. Though a good amount of funding has been raised, more is still needed to cover some costs of labor. Please visit Uptown Theatre Sedalia on Facebook and watch the Uptown Theatre Sedalia documentary on youtube for more info! It takes a lot of money, labor, and love to see a project like this through. Please contact us to see how you can help! To help, contact Meg Liston
Sedalia Downtown Development, Inc. PO Box 820, Sedalia, MO 65302
Office located in the AmTrak Train Station, on Pacific Street, just off Ohio.
