SMITHTOWN, NY — A piece of Smithtown's theatrical history is returning to Main Street nearly 50 years after it disappeared.
The Smithtown Performing Arts Center has completed installation of a new marquee inspired by the historic theater's original 1933 design. The nonprofit organization will celebrate the project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday at 1 p.m. at 2 East Main Street.
The installation marks one of the most visible phases of an ongoing effort to restore and modernize the nearly century-old theater, which opened in 1933.
The original marquee was removed by United Artists in the late 1970s, according to the Smithtown Performing Arts Center.
Rather than installing an entirely new architectural feature, the nonprofit's restoration team looked to the theater's past for inspiration, recreating the original marquee's shape, scale, and character while incorporating modern LED and neon-style technology.
"This was never about simply putting a new electronic sign on the building," said Michael Mucciolo, president of the Smithtown Performing Arts Center's Board of Directors. "We wanted to bring the light back to Main Street by restoring a part of the theatre that had been lost for nearly 50 years. The design is rooted in the original marquee, but we were able to recreate that classic theatre look using modern LED and neon-style technology that will serve the community for many years to come."
The new marquee features two traffic-facing LED displays, each measuring approximately 10 feet wide by 3 feet high. Together, they provide approximately 60 square feet of digital display space visible to motorists and pedestrians traveling through downtown Smithtown.
The displays will allow the performing arts center to promote theatrical productions, concerts, educational programs, community events and nonprofit initiatives while recognizing community partners and supporters.
The project is part of a broader restoration effort that began after the nonprofit Smithtown Performing Arts Council purchased the theater building in March 2022.
Since then, the organization has undertaken significant improvements to the building's exterior siding, seating, flooring, office spaces, carpeting, heating and cooling systems, plumbing, theatrical lighting and sound systems.
The renovations have also included the installation of a full LED video wall and modern production equipment.
At the same time, the nonprofit has worked to preserve the building's original architectural character.
Historic elements created by the Rambusch Decorating Company remain throughout the theater, including original decorative lighting fixtures, architectural moldings, glasswork and distinctive movie-scene silhouettes.
The new marquee is among a package of exterior restoration and improvement projects totaling nearly $500,000, according to the performing arts center. The work has received support from Suffolk County's Jumpstart program.
That investment is in addition to more than $600,000 in improvements made by the nonprofit since purchasing the building in 2022.
The performing arts center serves thousands of residents annually through live theater, concerts, comedy, movies, dance recitals and special events. It also offers theater education programs for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
The nonprofit said the marquee is intended to strengthen the theater's presence on Main Street while supporting its continued role as a cultural destination in downtown Smithtown.
Restoration work remains ongoing, and the organization continues to seek community support and contributions for additional improvements.
Thursday's ceremony will include a ribbon-cutting, recognition of those who helped make the project possible and an opportunity to see the completed marquee and its digital displays in operation.
Additional information about the theater is available at SmithtownPAC.org.
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