Long Island Theater To Mark 100th Anniversary With Series Of Events

PATCHOGUE, NY — A Long Island landmark will reach a major milestone in 2023.

The Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a series of events throughout the year.

There will be shows, encompassing every decade of the past 100 years, including special performances by acts like an authentic barbershop quartet, swing dancing on the loading dock, and a prohibition party cocktail night at WhiskeyNeat.

There will be A Night at the Theatre revealing the much-anticipated results of the theatre's paranormal investigation in December 2022.

For the grand celebration, Louis Prima, Jr., known as "The Crown Prince of Swing," for carrying on his father's legacy, and his band will perform music his father made famous on May 20. The set will include "Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing)," "Jump, Jive an' Wail," the TikTok-famous version of "Pennies from Heaven," and Italian songs, "Angelina Zooma Zooma," "Buona Sera," "Che La Luna," and "Oh Marie."

The theatre's executive director Michele Rizzo-Berg said staffers wanted an artist that encompassed all different demographics and ages."

“It’s going to be a really fun night," she said. For a full list of events, visit

The theater originally opened as Ward and Glynne’s Theater on May 20, 1923, and its day, attracted first-run feature films, Broadway productions, silent films, the very best in burlesque and vaudeville, as well as acts like Bette Davis, Eddie Foy and the Fabulous Foys, The Paul Whiteman Orchestra, The Marx Brothers, John Philip Sousa, and Rose's Royal Midgets, theatre officials said.

It later reverted back to a movie house, officials said.

The Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts opened for in December of 1998.