John W. Engeman Theater
250 Main Street,
Northport,
NY
11768
250 Main Street,
Northport,
NY
11768
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John W. Engeman Theater (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Associated Prudential Theaters Inc., United Artists Theater Circuit Inc.
Architects: Drew Eberson, John Adolph Emil Eberson
Functions: Live Theater, Performing Arts
Previous Names: Northport Theater
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
631.261.2900
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Located at 250 Main Street, the Northport Theater opened in 1932, replacing the earlier Northport Theatre at 256 Main Street which had been destroyed by fire. It was renopvated in 1950 to the plans of architects John Eberson & Drew Eberson. It was restored in 1999 (after a severe attack of after-hours vandalism in 1997). The theater featured 520 floor seats plus 85 in the balcony. Home to a stage, wall tapestries, murals, and a marble ticket counter, the theater was closed as a “political statement” on January 22, 2003, the day after the Long Island town of Lindenhurst passed a resolution to condemn the owner’s other Suffolk County theater, the Lindenhurst Theater (located about 20 miles away).
A not-for-profit organization, the Northport Performing Arts Center, acquired and modified the theater for use as a live venue, and it is now the John W. Engeman Theater. The seating capacity is now 400.
Contributed by
Damien Farley
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Recent comments (view all 52 comments)
In theory the last name standing is the CT rule (not always observed) and as you note problematic. As a Long Islander I know the new name and access it as such. It could also be argued that one would look up the name of the community and try the entries there hoping a specific AKA would appear.
Looking through old issues of the Smithtown Messenger there were several references to the Northport being renovated while still open in the Spring/Summer of 1950. Among the renovations were the installation of air conditioning, a remodeling of the lobby (necessitating the use of an alternate entrance)and upgrading of the sound and rest rooms.
To the site administrators : this was a busy local neighborhood MOVIE theater for almost 5 DECADES. It should not be represented here, as a “performing arts theatre” This site is not called “Performing Arts Treasures. Com” Please address this.
The theater’s current name (if open) is the name that is used for the theater. That’s to be consistent on the site, and it’s the policy.
What was the condemnation referred to in the heading?
According to an article on theatre in Northport, N.Y. in Newsday for July 13, 2014, the cost of the conversion from movies to stage cost $3.7 million. The 1950 renovation which I alluded to in an earlier posting, cost $100,000. The article quotes the current seating capacity as 400.
I’ve added a current photo of the façade.
Photos of the exterior and interior when it was the Northport and previously linked by Ed Solero in the comments area uploaded to the photo section.
Additional exterior of current façade uploaded.
Alterations to theatre in 1950 by John and Drew Eberson.