Comments from an employee of the State Theatre, I worked there fom 1970-72, 1978-86, and 1990 thru 1997 in various capacities:
Early in 1978, Uniontown businessman Clyde Tewell bought the State and remodeled it (brought it up to “Code”, actually). Mr. Tewell’s love of “Country Music” prompted the purchase,with the intention of putting live “Country” acts onstage. Re-opening as the “State Music Hall” in July, 1978, the State featured all of the “name” acts in Country Music, ranging from superstars like Alabama, The Oak Ridge Boys,& The Statler Brothers. Also appearing were “Hee-Haw” icons Roy Clark & Buck Owens. Other great shows featured David Allen Coe, Anne Murray, Johnny Cash, Charlie Pride, Ronnie Milsap and The Gatlin Brothers. Later on, during the “Disco” era, the State had Chic and Peaches & Herb. Other headliners were The Lettermen, Frankie Valli and Blood, Sweat & Tears, plus several others that I simply don’t remember. It is generally said that the State featured “every” country superstar other than Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton & Kenny Rodgers, who were the most expensive performers of that era…The high costs of purchasing the acts forced Mr. Tewell to curtail his bookings in 1982. A local “community theatre” group held several performances in the mid-eighties, featuring “Brodway Musicals”, such as “Annie”, “Man of LaMancha, "Fiddler on the Roof”, etc. Interestingly, all of the roles were filled by local (amatuer) performers. This series ended after an 18 month run. The State fell dormant for several more years, only open to host rental shows and local high school graduations. In 1990, the Greater Uniontown Heritage Consortium purchased the State from Mr. Tewell & renamed it the “State Theatre Center for the Arts”. An extensive renovation to the stage rigging and lighting was performed at that time, doubling its capacity to accomodate the shows that the Consortium was interested in presenting. Opening in 1990 with “Dracula”, the new State was vibrant again with excellent productions that attracted a variety of patrons. Children’s programmmes were also added, something missing from the State since the Saturday “kid shows” of its movie-house heyday. The State, under the wise direction of new Executive Director Marty Shiff, continues the tradition of serving the tri-state theatrical community with wonderful productions. An on-going restoration programme is well underway, with excellent results. I am wishing the State & Mr. Schiff the best of luck all future endeavours.
Ed Wolinski
Uniontown, Pa
Comments from an employee of the State Theatre, I worked there fom 1970-72, 1978-86, and 1990 thru 1997 in various capacities:
Early in 1978, Uniontown businessman Clyde Tewell bought the State and remodeled it (brought it up to “Code”, actually). Mr. Tewell’s love of “Country Music” prompted the purchase,with the intention of putting live “Country” acts onstage. Re-opening as the “State Music Hall” in July, 1978, the State featured all of the “name” acts in Country Music, ranging from superstars like Alabama, The Oak Ridge Boys,& The Statler Brothers. Also appearing were “Hee-Haw” icons Roy Clark & Buck Owens. Other great shows featured David Allen Coe, Anne Murray, Johnny Cash, Charlie Pride, Ronnie Milsap and The Gatlin Brothers. Later on, during the “Disco” era, the State had Chic and Peaches & Herb. Other headliners were The Lettermen, Frankie Valli and Blood, Sweat & Tears, plus several others that I simply don’t remember. It is generally said that the State featured “every” country superstar other than Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton & Kenny Rodgers, who were the most expensive performers of that era…The high costs of purchasing the acts forced Mr. Tewell to curtail his bookings in 1982. A local “community theatre” group held several performances in the mid-eighties, featuring “Brodway Musicals”, such as “Annie”, “Man of LaMancha, "Fiddler on the Roof”, etc. Interestingly, all of the roles were filled by local (amatuer) performers. This series ended after an 18 month run. The State fell dormant for several more years, only open to host rental shows and local high school graduations. In 1990, the Greater Uniontown Heritage Consortium purchased the State from Mr. Tewell & renamed it the “State Theatre Center for the Arts”. An extensive renovation to the stage rigging and lighting was performed at that time, doubling its capacity to accomodate the shows that the Consortium was interested in presenting. Opening in 1990 with “Dracula”, the new State was vibrant again with excellent productions that attracted a variety of patrons. Children’s programmmes were also added, something missing from the State since the Saturday “kid shows” of its movie-house heyday. The State, under the wise direction of new Executive Director Marty Shiff, continues the tradition of serving the tri-state theatrical community with wonderful productions. An on-going restoration programme is well underway, with excellent results. I am wishing the State & Mr. Schiff the best of luck all future endeavours.
Ed Wolinski
Uniontown, Pa