Chance Theater

6 Crannell Street,
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

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Chance Theater (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp.

Functions: Concerts, Nightclub

Previous Names: Dutchess Theatre, Playhouse Theatre, Community Theatre, New Playhouse Theatre, Astor Theatre, Starlight Theatre

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 845.471.1966

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News About This Theater

Chance Theatre

Located on Crannell Street, with another entrance on 69 Main Street (now demolished). The Dutchess Theatre opened on May 23, 1912, and was operated as a vaudeville/movie(photoplays) theatre. It was renamed Astor Theatre in 1944 and continued to operate until 1950. It was then used for storage until 1970. Operated by Peter J. Tennis and his brothers, who also operated the Colonia Theatre in Norwich, NY.

Contributed by RobertR, Roger Tennis

Recent comments (view all 18 comments)

IconGate
IconGate on September 20, 2010 at 6:01 pm

for Heidi DD from two posts above:

How can we contact you?? I am the producer of a show that has been filming episodes at The Chance Theater in Poughkeepsie.

On Saturday 09/18/2010 a full crew of paranormal investigators spent 7 hours exploring The Chance. They found some incredible proof of “haunted” spirits. I’m talking A LOT of proof!!

We would love to speak with you and possibly include you as part of this… you have volumes of stuff? … perhaps you can help piece together the past with what the investigators found?

also anybody else here with any information or that would want to take part please email to

any help is welcome
thank you!!

HeidiD
HeidiD on September 21, 2010 at 2:54 pm

To: IconGate – I emailed you today, if you don’t get it, please let me know. Heidi DD

IconGate
IconGate on September 22, 2010 at 12:56 pm

To: Heidi DD – yes, received your email and did reply.

HudsonValleyLegends
HudsonValleyLegends on January 14, 2011 at 11:42 pm

Hi Heidi DD, I am writing a book about Hudson Valley Legends and plan on including a chapter about the Old Dutchess Theatre. I would love to hear from you if you would like to share some of the information you have on its history. My email is listed below.

If anyone has any information about the Old Dutchess Theatre, or any other legends within the Hudson Valley, please contact me at

Roger Katz
Roger Katz on February 12, 2013 at 9:11 pm

Shouldn’t this be listed as the Chance Theatre since that is its current name?

http://www.thechancetheater.com

rivest266
rivest266 on October 12, 2013 at 7:32 am

from old website: * The Dutchess Theatre – Opened: July 1912 * Carroll Players Play House re-opened on Monday, September 27, 1926, with “The Girl from Childs.” * Changed hands & name to The Playhouse Theatre on December 1928 – Vaudeville and Films * Opened as “The Community Theater” to entertain throughout the 1930s – Live Theater * Entertained as the “New Playhouse Theatre” on July 6, 1933 * Entertained as the “Astor Theater” during 1935 – Film * Entertained as “The Starlight Theater” during 1940 – Live Theater * Closed from 1945 through 1970 * Frivolous Sal’s Last Chance Saloon reopened in 1970 and entertained through 1980 – Food, Film and Live Entertainment including early tryout of Bill C. Davis' “Mass Appeal.” * “The Chance” takes the area by storm in 1980 through present – Live Shows

Greenpoint
Greenpoint on November 15, 2015 at 5:01 pm

What a great theatre…I was there for a second time yesterday for Insane Clown Posse and covered in Faygo diet Root Beer.I had a feeling it was a movie theatre at some point.

rivest266
rivest266 on March 12, 2016 at 3:31 pm

September 27th, 1926 grand opening ad as Playhouse in photo section.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on September 17, 2021 at 3:21 am

This Facebook post has a photo gallery for this theater, including a view of the Astor Theatre with two 1946 releases advertised on the marquee, so it had to have been open past 1945. In fact, the Astor was advertised in the the October 21, 1950 issue of the Vassar Chronicle, so it continued in operation quite some time after 1945.

The page also claims that the house opened as the Astor Theatre in 1944. An article in the Vassar Chronicle of October 21, 1944 said that the Astor had been opened on July 14 by a Mr. Shanley, who was operating the theater as a revival house running films likely to appeal to Vassar students, while running action movies likely to appeal to children at weekend matinees. The 1950 advertisement showed that the Astor had daily changes of programs featuring older movies, so the policy must have continued.

robboehm
robboehm on March 17, 2023 at 10:11 am

Uploaded a photo as the Astor.

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