Three cheers

Photos courtesy of Dewey Tann

THE LIBERTY THEATER IN DOWNTOWN PUYALLUP IS A ONE-STOP EVENTS FACILITY THAT OFFERS PATRONS IN-HOUSE SERVICES SUCH AS CATERING, FULL BAR, LIGHTS, DJ AND AUDIO SERVICE, FILM PRODUCTION, PUTTING IT TEN STEPS ABOVE THE COMPETITION.

The Liberty Theater is an edifice tucked away in the heart of downtown Puyallup. Built in 1924, the building was originally used for entertainment in the age of vaudeville shows, silent pictures and live shows. Current owner Tom Neumann took over the establishment in 1999 after it had been used for decades as a movie theater.

Today, it is the local stop for events, parties and celebrations of all kinds.

Neumann worked in the construction and building restoration business prior to taking over ownership of the Liberty, working on the Temple Theater in Tacoma in 1991 and on Thornewood Castle in Lakewood from 1996 through 1998.

“The Liberty Theater is an entertainment facility and we do private parties and public events, do a lot of weddings, company parties, proms, anniversaries. We’re fully catered, have a full bar. We’re basically doing events and we really strive to put out the best food and technical services,” Neumann said.”

 We have full projection and sound systems, light shows, everything is here and contained in here. We do show movies for Christmas – it’s more of my giving back to the community, as for 75 years there was a movie theater here.”

Prior to getting into the building restoration business, Newman was a radio DJ in Minneapolis during the 1980s.

“During the time of ‘Purple Rain,’ I toured all over and did audio in concerts, such as for Madonna, KISS, David Lee Roth during the big hair, rock ‘n roll time, and that’s how I got into the entertainment and audio business,” Neumann said.

“For the catering side of our business, we make everything from sushi to Mexican, really all standards like prime rib and salmon, and we design menus for the client. We have a full recording studio here, and bands can record albums, but we look for specific talent. We will do free recording if acts are qualified, and are mostly interested in commercial acts,” Neumann affirmed.

While there are many other event locations in the South Sound that cater to hosting parties and celebrations, the Liberty Theater hoists itself a few feet above the rest due to its array of in-house services and capable technicians that provide all that is needed to make any customer’s next event a huge success.

“One thing we do is we have all technical services here and have everything ready to go. People are coming up to speed with technology they need, microphones, wireless, specifics, and whatever they need to show it needs to be available. The difference is we really are a personal help to clients when they come in and we are always by their side. As an owner, I’ve never missed an event,” Neumann said.

“We don’t lock people into six to eight hours, it’s an all-day event. So many times people are trying to kick event attendants out, but we’re the opposite and are here for your event,” Neumann stated.

The Liberty Theater is also the proud title holder of the national bridal magazine The Knot’s Pick for Best Weddings for three years running, 2008-10.

“Every year they pick the top reception places on the West and East coasts and it’s an annual book they put out. We won three years in a row. We rated three out of three beyond services expected, and the Space Needle also holds the title locally,” Neumann said.

Despite the slowing economy and many families, individuals and companies have been toning the celebrations down due to cost, the Liberty Theater has still been booking events and is staying afloat during these most trying of times.

“We lost 16 Christmas parties due to companies failing and it was an extremely rough Christmas. All catering and party planners have shaved off because corporations aren’t able to have parties. All of a sudden they’re just gone,” Neumann said.

“But it actually hasn’t (affected us much). What we’re facing in the wedding industry is that people are getting married during ages 26-28. We’ll see a huge influx for seven years and it’s coming true. We just had the biggest wedding show this year at Tacoma Dome, as during Christmas

lots of people get engaged and over half of the business is decided on Christmas Day,” Neumann affirmed.

The Liberty Theater just celebrated its 10th anniversary under owner Neumann, and due to the venue’s success in recent years, there is much to celebrate. To give back to its patrons, the Liberty is offering a wedding special: if couples plan their wedding event at the venue within three months of the date, a special discount is available. Contact the Liberty for more details on weddings. For your next event, contact the Liberty for the one-stop, all-inclusive events facility locally.

The Liberty Theater is located at 116 W. Main Ave. in downtown Puyallup. For more information about booking a wedding, business event or special ceremony, call the Liberty Theater office at (253) 864-8116, e-mail or visit its website at http://www.thelibertytheater.com.

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