The Downtown Stage, called by some the Crute Stage, was originally the EACO Theater. It was named for the Entertainment and Amusement COmpany started by vet Dr. Witacher in Farmville. Several years later in 1935 he built the Lee Theatre across the street. In the late 90’s the EACO, then renamed the state and owned by a theater firm out of Richmond, collapsed from the weight of a snowstorm, it did not burn down. It is now an open stage owned by the Town of Farmville, and a free summer movie program is shown. You sit on the grass, movies are older classics, and they re shown on a new pulldown screen that is really a thick, white protective screen for the stage behind.
I have all the remains of the Lee Theatre, the oak double front doors. It was only three years ago the Lee was demolished; it is now a park. However it hasn’t been a theatre since the early 70’s. It became a segregated theatre on August 12th, 1958, the Whites went to the State, which collapsed from the weight of a snowstorm in the late 90’s, not a fire. Also the screen that can now be seen on the Downtown Stage is new and was put up by the town, it is not original. I have gathered almost a complete history of the Lee Theatre and am willing to share my information with anyone interested.
The Downtown Stage, called by some the Crute Stage, was originally the EACO Theater. It was named for the Entertainment and Amusement COmpany started by vet Dr. Witacher in Farmville. Several years later in 1935 he built the Lee Theatre across the street. In the late 90’s the EACO, then renamed the state and owned by a theater firm out of Richmond, collapsed from the weight of a snowstorm, it did not burn down. It is now an open stage owned by the Town of Farmville, and a free summer movie program is shown. You sit on the grass, movies are older classics, and they re shown on a new pulldown screen that is really a thick, white protective screen for the stage behind.
I have all the remains of the Lee Theatre, the oak double front doors. It was only three years ago the Lee was demolished; it is now a park. However it hasn’t been a theatre since the early 70’s. It became a segregated theatre on August 12th, 1958, the Whites went to the State, which collapsed from the weight of a snowstorm in the late 90’s, not a fire. Also the screen that can now be seen on the Downtown Stage is new and was put up by the town, it is not original. I have gathered almost a complete history of the Lee Theatre and am willing to share my information with anyone interested.