Society honors Tivoli owners

By Kevin Stahr
Staff writer
Liberty Suburban Newspapers

Willis and Shirley Johnson are well-known in Downers Grove for owning the historic Tivoli Theatre, but now the Downers Grove couple's passion for movie theater preservation has earned them the Theatre Historical Society's President's Award.

Lowell Angell, president of the Theatre Historical Society, said it is fitting the Johnsons were the first award recipients because the couple helped the society move from a church basement in Chicago to a larger space in their York Theatre building in Elmhurst 11 years ago.

``Without their dedicated efforts, we would literally and figuratively not be where we are today,'' he said. ``Since that initial step, we subsequently hired a full-time director and have grown into a much more professional organization.''

The award, which will not be presented every year but only when merited, recognizes distinguished contributions to the nonprofit educational organization. The group maintains an archive with information on more than 9,000 theaters; publishes a quarterly journal and newsletter; and conducts an annual conclave touring theaters in a different part of the country.

Shirley Johnson, president of Classic Cinemas and owner of the Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove, and her husband, Willis, received the award in New York. She previously had served as the society's secretary, and the Johnsons have been society members for two decades. Winning the award was a ``total surprise'' because the society has more than 1,000 members worldwide, she said.

This is not the first time the Johnsons have been recognized by the society. In 1987, the couple was named the society's members of the year largely for their efforts in rehabilitating the Tivoli and other theaters in their chain, Angell said.

The Johnsons own Tivoli Enterprises, which operates 14 movie theaters in the suburban area, including the York Theatre in Elmhurst, Ogden 6 Theatre in Naperville and Charlestowne Theatre in St. Charles. The company also runs the Tivoli Bowling Center and Tivoli Hotel in Downers Grove.

Richard Sklenar, executive director of the society, said, ``We are lucky to have them as landlords, friends and devoted members.'' Next year, the society will hold its awards ceremony in Chicago. Shirley Johnson said she is excited the group will tour two of her theaters, including the Tivoli.

Though many downtown theaters have begun to deteriorate or have closed because of financial problems, Johnson said she feels they can be vital in a business district.

Besides having a strong Downers Grove core audience, the Tivoli has managed to stay successful because the theater offers a broad scope of programs, Johnson said.

On Monday nights, the Tivoli hosts the After Hours Film Society, providing movie patrons a chance to comment on movies. Johnson said ballets held during Heritage Fest and the ``Nutcracker'' performance in November drew crowds between 300 to 400 people.

``It is a nice little movie house and a fun place to go,'' Johnson said.

Reproduced with permission from Liberty Suburban Newspapers