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stadium theatre

when the lights came back on

In the days before television when textile employment was still booming, it was hard to find a spot to stand on downtown Woonsocket sidewalks in front of a theater on a Saturday night. Now only one theater remains. The Stadium Theatre was built in 1926 and is one of the few remaining examples of the majestic Vaudeville Theatre era in operation today.

The Stadium was always the showpiece of the city’s six theaters. The richly ornamented theater was constructed in Monument Square, by interests headed by local industrialist Arthur I. Darman. At a cost (along with a connecting four-story office and retail building) of $1 million. It was hailed at its opening, as one of New England’s most beautiful places of entertainment. The theater’s inaugural feature was the silent film “The Blonde Saint,” starring Doris Kenyon. But movies were only part of the allure. Live vaudeville acts, featuring comedians, musicians, and dancers, graced the stage before and after the screenings, offering a complete evening of entertainment. The theatre quickly became the social heart of Woonsocket, a place where families gathered, friends met, and dreams flickered across the silver screen.

From the moment patrons stepped through its doors, they were transported. The Stadium Theatre was, and remains, an architectural masterpiece, designed in the eighteenth century neoclassical style. Its exterior, adorned with intricate terra cotta detailing, hinted at the extravagance within. Inside, the theatre boasted an elaborate lobby with marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and ornate plasterwork. The main auditorium was a spectacle of its own, featuring a soaring ceiling, gilded proscenium arch, and seating for over 1,000 patrons across its orchestra and balcony levels.

A true marvel of its time, the Stadium was equipped with state-of-the-art projection equipment and a magnificent Wurlitzer pipe organ, which provided live musical accompaniment for silent films, creating an immersive and dramatic experience that captivated audiences. The organ itself was a significant investment, featuring thousands of pipes and a console that could be raised from the orchestra pit.
In 1991, even as the Theatre was a boarded-up relic facing impending doom, a small group of citizens could still envision the Stadium’s beauty through the years of decay and graffiti. This group, led by former Woonsocket Mayor Francis Lanctot, came together to form the Save Our Stadium (S.O.S.) Committee. Their first task was to raise funds for the purchase and restoration of the Theatre. On a dreary, rainy day the S.O.S. Committee and local radio station 1380 WNRI, held an overnight radiothon under the dimly lit marquee. The 20-hour radiothon, hosted by radio talk show personality and S.O.S. member Larry Poitras, was a last-ditch effort to raise the first $1,380 towards the restoration. Everyone involved was completely unprepared for the generous outpouring of community support that followed. In less than 24 hours, individuals from all over the region had come to the Theatre and collectively donated over $25,000! Thus the Stadium Theatre’s rebirth began! 
By 2001, the Stadium Theatre Foundation had completely restored the Grand Hall as well as the elaborate lobby to its magnificent historic stature. Since being completely restored, the Stadium Theatre has developed into a performing arts center and conservatory where famed international artists like Liza Minnelli, Cher and Chuck Mangione grace the same stage as community arts organizations such as community theatre, dance and music groups.
 

Source: What is the Enduring Legacy of the Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket, RI? – Elmelaab 

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