The theater is named for the Battle of Midway, which took place in 1942, the same year it opened its door. It was designed by the prolific theater architect S. Charles Lee for Thomas W. Lamb Associates. Lee was an early adopter of more modern styles including the Midway’s main style, Moderne. The streamlined facade with strong vertical elements exemplifies this and is also a nice counterpoint to the Deco designs of the earlier Ridgewood Savings Bank nearby.