Rappanna Theatre
235 Old Virginia Street,
Urbanna,
VA
23175
235 Old Virginia Street,
Urbanna,
VA
23175
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Located on Main Street (today renamed Old Virginia Street, next door to what is now the ABC Virginia store). The Rappanna Theatre was operating prior to 1941 with seating for 225.
The original building burned down in 1949, and it was rebuilt in 1951, in an Art Deco style. It had seating for 500 in orchestra and balcony levels. The town postmaster was one of the owners of the theatre.
The Rappanna Theatre operated as a movie theatre into the 1960’s, and for a while after, it was used for performances and other events.
Contributed by
Ken Roe, David Williams
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
I found an address for a Rappanna Theatre at 235 Main St. (Old Virginia Street). That would put it next door to the ABC Virginia Store (231 Old Virginia St.)
I would like to make a few corrections to the above information, and add some additional.
1) The street was never ‘Main St.’ It originally had been ‘Virginia Street’ and later re-named ‘Old Virginia Street’. The confusion may have been due to the small town only having two main streets, ‘Old Virginia St’, and ‘Cross St.'
2) it was located East of a newer building, which is the state owned, 'Virginia ABC Store’ (the State of Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Commission").
3) Confusion in the seating capacity: More likely there was capacity for 225 seats, and not 500. The population of the entire town was only about 500 back then.
4) The map has the spot (A) wrong. The theatre was more easterly, and closer to Cross St, just about 150 ft. after Upton Place.
Additional Info:
a) It was not a chain, but privately owned.
b) The spot is a vacant lot, next door to (East, or right facing) the ABC store.
I would be most appreciative if anyone that has a post card, or even a photo, of this theatre from back then would share it with me. I have seen a later photo, but it is washed out, and sort of pinkish, which it was not back then,
Thank you for this opportunity,
Dave W>
Opened ~1935? Can anyone verify the exact date?
More info is always welcome.
I don’t know where the date 1935 came from, nor do I remember it burning down in 1949.
The theatre definitely was not there 1946 or earlier, as 1947 was tho only year we did not Summer there.
My (old age) recollection was that it opened sometime in 1949 or 1950. 1951 seems to be a bit late for my years.
I have an ad dated Feb. 1, 1973 for this theater playing “Hannie Caulder” with Raquel Welch
The only way you can get this to map is using the following address: Old Virginia St & Cross St., Urbanna, Middlesex, Virginia 23175
I took the photo that is on this site. That building is now gone.
Based on information in the Motion Picture Daily and local newspaper ads, the Theater operated from 1931 to 1980.