Teatro Francisco Oller
Calle Doctor Veve 56,
Bayamon
00960
Calle Doctor Veve 56,
Bayamon
00960
1 person
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Additional Info
Functions: Live Performances
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Teatro Oller
Nearby Theaters
This monumental theater was built in 1938 in Bayamon, one of San Juan’s metropolitan municipalities. It was built as a community theater by the Oller family. This theater holds up to one thousand viewers making it one of Puerto Rico’s largest historic cinemas. In 1985, the theater was acquired by the municipal government of Bayamon to serve as a place for live performances. Later it was bought by Luisito Vigoreaux who has turned it into a successful performing arts center focused on children’s theater.
It was being remodeled in July 2020, but unfortunately, the interior has been gutted.
Contributed by
Jose Otero Buenaga
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Recent comments (view all 15 comments)
It seems like at any given moment, it could be used for performances. It’s definitely not abandoned, but it wasn’t open when I went by. =o
I was the District and Advertising Manager for Commonwealth Theaters of PR, later Wometco, in the 1960’s.
The Oller theater was owned by the Oller family, pioneers of the film business in PR. They also owned the Carmen theater in Bayamón. One of the brothers, Jorge, was a vice president of Commonwealth.
The Oller did not have 70mm equipment. Sound of Music premiered at the Metropolitan in Santurce where all the big 70mm films premiered at the time until the Metro installed 70mm in the late 60’s. The Metropolitan played roadshow but seats were not reserved.
Charmian Carr visited PR as part of a promotional tour for Latin America and we re-issued Sound of Music at the Metropolitan to take avantage of the tour. She made an appearance at the first night of the re-issue and got a lot of publicity and also by having her visit Mayor Felisa Rincón among other activities.
I chauffeured Charmian around during her stay in San Juan.
The Oller was not a first run house, it played films after they had played in San Juan with an occasional “day and date” or simultaneous release with one or more San Juan theaters.
LUISMEL, I don’t remember a Teatro Presidente in Rio Piedras or anywhere else in Puerto Rico.
Thanks, rrstar.
I went to the Oller a few times and watched “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, a European animated feature titled “Once Upon a Time”, “The Ten Commandments” one Holy Week, and “The Deep”.
[Reposting] AGR: Teatro President (not Presidente) was located on De Diego Street in Rio Piedras, not far from Plaza del Mercado. After it closed, a clothing store opened in its place.
Thanks, rrstar.
By any chance does anyone on this thread know anything about the Oller brothers and their families? My grandfather was Jose ‘Pepe’ Oller, married to Isabel. Daughter Carmen, son Jose. Pepe died before I was born. I know nothing about him. Any insights?
As of today, the Municipality of Bayamón has the structure up for sale or rent as posted on its website (http://bred.bayamonpr.org/gis2.asp?r=2013030101&nr=KNNSERTJSB). The posting includes photographs.
Oller is currently being renovated. They left the outer shell, but inside it’s been remodeled completely. They’re even doing some expansions