second floor, is from the New York's original Waldorf Astoria of the 1880s; it is thirteen feet tall and ten feet wide, and illuminated by 144 bulbs that reflect onto 4,500 hanging crystal teardrops. The grand staircase is the main feature of the three-story lobby. During the day, sunlight streams in, illuminating the lobby. An immense crystal chandelier shines after the sun sets. On three sides of the lobby, stands a formation of marble columns topped by a balcony. A nearly celestial ceiling actually had machine generated clouds and points of light that twinkled like stars. Movie palace architect John Eberson contributed the design for the auditorium. Here theatergoers enter the environment of an evening in Venice with a replica of the Rialto Bridge spanning the stage. Above the seating is an eighty-five foot ceiling that permits an open sky effect with stars and moving clouds originally effected by a projecting device called a "Brenkert Brenograph," costing $290 (in 1920s dollars). Lighted stained glass windows line the walls with grottoes, arches and columns simulating the courtyard motif. On September 26, 27, and 28, 1972, the Grateful Dead played three concerts at the Stanley Theater which are highly regarded among fans. A recording of the middle show from September 27 was officially released in 1998 as Dick's Picks Volume 11. See also Stanley Theater (Newark, New Jersey) (Newark) Loew's Jersey Theatre (Jersey City) Park Performing Arts Center (Union City) External links Carmela Karnoutsos: Stanley Theater, www.njcu.edu References Cinemas and movie theaters in New Jersey Theatres in New Jersey Former cinemas in the United States Buildings and structures in Jersey City, New Jersey Religious buildings and structures in Hudson County, New Jersey Tourist attractions in Jersey City, New Jersey Fred Wesley Wentworth buildings