Renovation Project Elevates Newtown Theatre To The Next Level

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA —When the historic Newtown Theatre reopens next week it will be one of the best venues in the Delaware Valley, according to its executive director.

“I used to tell people Newtown Theatre is great, but we need to add seats or that Newtown Thestre is great but we need to improve our restrooms,” said executive director Andy Smith. “Now I’m saying it’s one of the best, if not the best venue in the region. And I would tell people to come out and see a show or a concert. You won’t regret it.”

The latest renovation project at the historic movie house on North State Street is wrapping up following a $1.1 million upgrade that saw the installation of new bathrooms, a renovated balcony and improvements to the main stage area, including a massive LED video wall.

The theatre’s balcony now boasts brand new seating, new hardwood flooring and enhanced aisle lighting mirroring the main floor of the theatre with comfortable seating and plenty of legroom.

As part of the project, the old projection booth was also removed and replaced by a new command post for the theatre's light and sound techs. The actual projector is now embedded into the balcony.

The newly-renovated balcony area. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

Six new toilet stalls have been added in the basement area of the theater. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

“The projection booth took up a ton of room up there so we will actually are able to add more seating,” said Smith,, bringing the theatre’s capacity up to 250.

“This wasn’t so much about adding new seats, but making it more comfortable,” said Smith. “The old seats were uncomfortable. There was no lighting. You will now get the same experience up here then you get down there.”

On the basement level, patrons will be delighted to know that new restrooms have been added to accommodate patrons. The space has been enlarged to include six individual toilet rooms and three common sinks, said Smith.

“Out of all the renovations we did, this is the one that’s going to surprise our patrons the most,” said Smith.

The coolest addition is a brand new floor-to-ceiling video wall equipped with 360 individual LED panels that will dramatically enhance the concert experience.

The guts of the video wall being installed at the back of the stage. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

“It will allow us to show high quality video and images just like you would see at a big time concert venue,” said Smith. “For example, if we have a Frank Sinatra impersonator we can put up old black and white images of New York City in the 30s. It’s going to be so immersive and so cool. And it’s going to blow people away.”

The wall will make its big debut when the Taylor Swift Experience takes the stage on September 12.

“That’s going to take us from a zero to a 10,” said Smith commenting on the concert experience patrons can expect with the addition of the wall.

In addition, new stage lighting has been added to enhance the concert and live theatre experience and a brand new screen replaces a yellowing 20 year old one that has served the venue for two decades.

The LED wall and the new lighting are made possible by a sizable $750,000 donation from Newtown resident John Martinson. In recognition of the donation the theatre is honoring him by naming the auditorium in his honor.

Work continued last week inside the historic theater. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

“He’s a big theater lover, everything from Broadway to community," said Smith. "He comes to all of the Newtown Arts Company shows. He loves all levels of theater.”

New custom-made stage curtains have also been ordered and will be added when they arrive this fall. With the latest renovations and newest installations, Smith said the theater is going to be “one of the best venues in the Delaware Valley” for its size.

The theater isn’t planning anything special for its grand reopening, but it does have a jammed pack schedule of concerts and events coming up.

“Come to a show and you’ll see the renovations and experience the changes,” said Smith. “We’ll have something for everyone.”

Opening Weekend Schedule

• “Kanin Wren’s Taylor Swift Experience,” Thursday, September 12 at 8 p.m. With a love of Taylor Swift’s music matched with her stunningly powerful voice, Wren has created a high-energy live experience that takes fans on a journey through Swift’s discography, from “You Belong to Me” to “Midnights.”
• “From Broadway to Newtown PA,” Friday, September 13 at 8 p.m. This intimate evening of Broadway music will feature Keri René Fuller (SIX, Waitress, Cats, Jagged Little Pill), John Riddle (Phantom of the Opera, Frozen, The Visit, Evita), and DeLaney Westfall (Kinky Boots, Sweeney Todd, Side Show, Beautiful) performing Tony-award-winning hits from musicals ranging from Carousel to Hamilton. Accompanying them on piano will be Dan Micciche, conductor of the hit Broadway musical Wicked.
• “The Best of Chicago featuring Chicago Transit,” Saturday, September 14 at 3 and 8 p.m. Chicago Transit is one of the longest running Chicago tributes and the only one with four lead vocalists. The band also includes a three-piece horn section and a five-piece rhythm section.
• “Mayberry Memories of Don Knotts,” Sunday, September 15 at 3 p.m. Fans of classic TV will be treated to a nostalgic journey down memory lane as Bill Knotts, nephew of the legendary Don Knotts, regales the audience with stories about Don, family photos and video clips from The Andy Griffith Show. He also delves into the Knotts family history, Don’s early career, how he landed the role of Barney, his movie career, his return to television on Three’s Company and Matlock, and his many stage productions across the country.

Tickets are available at TheNewtownTheatre.com .