The Florida Theatre is pleased to announce that the theatre’s famous “Ghost Seat” has returned safely home after being refurbished as part of the theatre’s current seating renovation. The Florida Theatre “Ghost Seat” was discovered in 2010 when the CW17 show Local Haunts conducted a paranormal investigation of the theatre, and captured images of a ghostly apparition of a man sitting in the balcony, in Section 500, Row E, Seat 2. Steve Christian, who led the team, called it, “The Holy Grail of paranormal investigation.”
This attracted the interest of the SyFy Channel show Fact or Faked,
who conducted their own paranormal investigation. Using Infrared cameras,
thermal imaging, and EVP recorders, they heard noises and discovered heat
signatures in two places in the orchestra section, and in the very balcony seat
where Steve Christian’s apparition appeared. Their conclusion? They found “zero
proof” that the Local Haunts video was faked.
Psychics routinely report a
presence in the balcony. Jill Cook-Richards, a psychic consultant to a 1997
WJCT Public Television production claimed that a male ghost spoke to her, and
said he wanted to be called “J” for Joy, which is what he felt for the theatre.
“He said he didn’t need a name from his past, that he wanted a name for his
future,” said Cook-Richards. She also reported that J, or perhaps Jay, was
there to protect Joe Collier, then the building’s maintenance manager. This has
led some to speculate that Jay was a former building manager himself.
This fall, as the Theatre moved forward with plans to install brand new,
historically-accurate seating, it was decided that the “Ghost Seat” and its
companion seat (Section 500, Row E, Seat 1) would be the only seats in the
Theatre to be restored, refurbished and reinstalled. “We did not want our
ghost to be homeless if his or her seat went away permanently. They are the
only two seats being restored. Every other seat is being replaced,” said
Florida Theatre President Numa Saisselin.
The “Ghost Seat’ and its companion seat were refurbished in Grand Rapids,
Michigan by Irwin Seating Company, a world leader in the design and manufacture
of theatre seating. These special seats returned to the Theatre this week and
will be reinstalled just in time for the Theatre’s long-awaited reopening this
December.
The Florida Theatre’s first event in December is Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s Wild and Swingin’ Holiday Party on
Wednesday, December 9 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by visiting floridatheatre.com or
by calling the box office at 904-355-ARTS (2787). All of the December events at
the Florida Theatre will be limited-capacity, with public health measures in
place. Patrons can visit online for
the most up to date information on The Florida Theatre’s safety protocols and
general updates.
About the Florida Theatre: From ballet and opera to contemporary pop, jazz,
rock, country and blues the nonprofit Florida Theatre offers 200 cultural and
entertainment events annually for every taste and age. More than just an
entertainment center, Florida Theatre is also home to graduations, awards
ceremonies, lectures, business meetings and charity events that support the
community's schools, churches, hospitals and civic groups. As an anchor to
downtown development along the beautiful St. Johns River, Florida Theatre draws
250,000 people to Jacksonville's center each year. The magnificently restored
Florida Theatre is recognized as one of the finest concert venues in the
Southeast. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The
Florida Theatre holds special memories for four generations. From the
Vaudeville acts and silent films of its earliest days to today's blend of
performances of all kinds, the Florida Theatre has served as Jacksonville's
premier entertainment center since 1927.
“Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s
Wild & Swingin’ Holiday Party”
DATE: Wed., Dec. 9, 2020
TIME: 8 p.m.
TICKETS: $49.50 - $59.50
LOCATION: The
Florida Theatre
128
East Forsyth Street.
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 355-2787
