Stadium Theatre
329 Main Street,
Woonsocket,
RI
02895
329 Main Street,
Woonsocket,
RI
02895
10 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Stadium Theatre Performing Arts Centre (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Daytz Theatre Enterprises Corp., M & P Theaters, Paramount Pictures Inc.
Architects: Frank B. Perry
Firms: Perry & Whipple
Functions: Movies (Classic), Performing Arts
Styles: Adam
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
401.762.4545
Manager:
401.762.4545
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Nov 3, 2003 — Today's Newsreel
The Stadium Theatre was opened on September 27, 1926 with Lois Moran in “Padlocked”. It was equipped with a Wurlitzer 11 ranks theatre pipe organ, opened by organist Arthur J. Martel. Seating was provided on a stadium plan with a raised stepped section at the rear, rather than an overhanging balcony. By 1957 it was operated by Daytz Theatre Enterprises Corp. The Stadium Theatre was home to movies and shows in Woonsocket until the 1970’s when it was forced to close because of failing finances.
In 1991, the Save Our Theatre Committee was formed to purchase and restore the landmark theatre. After seven years, their fundraising efforts allowed them to finally buy the building and begin restoring it.
The Stadium Theatre has already begun showing classic films as well as housing concerts and shows while repairs are being made.
The Stadium Theatre is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contributed by
Gregg Anderson
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Recent comments (view all 47 comments)
Stadium hadn’t been built in 1925. Opera was at Park Theatre (Opera House).
My Mother brought me to my first movie at the Stadium about 1955 to see Oklahoma. I was born in Woonsocket, and seeing the change that has taken place is amazing, especially the Stadium. I moved away in 1967 and I believe that the Stadium had been closed for years. Woonsocket sure has come along through the years, and I’m glad.
Showtime TV’s “Brotherhood” series Season 1, episode 7 has a story plot with a fictional account of the saving of this theater.
This place is gorgeous! Quite an unexpected find in an otherwise pretty depressing city center.
I saw both E.T. and Ghostbusters in that theatre. E.T. is still one of my favorite films of all time…
The Theatre Historical Society archive has the M-G-M Theatre Report for the Stadium; it’s Card # 566. There is an exterior photo taken April 1941. Address is “Monument Square”. Condition is Good. The house is 15 years old and shows MGM product. Seating: Orchestra 748, Balcony 500, Loges 24, total 1,273. What they call the “balcony” would have been the raised portion of the main floor, to the rear. The 1940 population of Woonsocket was 49,300.
Returned here in the summer of 2017 for the first time in 28 years. So pleased to see The Stadium has been restored to its former glory! Saw a wonderful live show here.
Stadium Theatre woes during pandemic: https://www.valleybreeze.com/2020-04-29/woonsocket-north-smithfield/stadium-absorbs-covid-19-shock-waits-state#.X94459hKjcs
That article is from May. Any update since then?
A good early history of Woonsocket’s theatres can be found in The Woonsocket Call, June 1, 1942. Find that issue by searching here: http://woonsocket.advantage-preservation.com/