Westbury Theater
250 Post Avenue,
Westbury,
NY
11590
250 Post Avenue,
Westbury,
NY
11590
5 people
favorited this theater
Opened on November 10, 1927, the Westbury Theatre was one of (at least six) Calderone Theaters in Nassau County, Long Island (Westbury, Glen Cove, Lynbrook, Mineola, two in Hempstead including the Calderone Concert Hall).
The theater was designed by architect Douglas Pairman Hall in a unique medieval-Tudor style that remains evident to this day. The beautiful and expansive auditorium originally seated 1,600 and included orchestra, loge and balcony sections.
Twinned "down the middle" in the late-1970’s, the theater managed to make the conversion without altering much of the interior. However, for the last 20 years, it continued to lose patronage as the current owners ran it into the ground, failing to make repairs and charging first run prices for second run fare. A loss of customers initially and incredulously came to a head in the late-1980’s following a much publicized local debacle in which the theater owner called the police to have a senior citizen customer forcibly removed from the auditorium after he refused to give up his cough drops! The windfall from this affair, coupled with the construction of nearby multiplexes ultimately left the Westbury Theater for broke.
In 2001, with crowds dwindling and the leaks growing, the Westbury was forced to shut its doors, having been cited for various building safety code violations. The future of the theater is now uncertain. While the very same owners would actually like to save and restore the theater, and, according to the marquee have formed a campaign for this purpose, it appears as though it might be too little, too late. Years of neglect, a seemingly disinterested local neighborhood, the shaky relationship that appears to exist between the theater owners and local businesses and politicians, and finally, the real estate allure of the location make a second act unlikely for this old neighborhood gem.
By October 2010, work had begun on demolition of the dividing walls in the auditorium, restoration and clean-up, with a formal ‘ground breaking’ ceremony held on October 22 to convert into a performing arts center.
Contributed by
Marty Nartinez
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Recent comments (view all 149 comments)
I guess the big question is when it does open, will we be able to bring cough drops into the theater? :–)
Posted another batch of images from the end of September, showing some progress, particularly on the new structure that runs along the southern auditorium wall. I’m doubtful of a fall opening for this theater – particularly since we are now in October and I haven’t heard any announcements as to what the headlining attraction will be for that opening.
Thank you for the updated photos ED, it’s appreciated. Some progress is better than no progress.
More pics posted showing progress as of October 27th, 2012. I chatted with a contractor, who was on site overseeing the installation of the paving stones that comprise the side walk perimeter of the theater. While that brick work was to be completed by the end of the day, he estimated that the theater itself would not be ready for opening until sometime after the holidays. So, at best, we’re looking at winter of 2013.
He said that initial capacity for the theater will be around 650. However, he indicated that if the area can sustain the flow of traffic in and out for a performance, that number may be jacked up to around 1000. The plan is to have valet parking for theater events, unless folks care to take their chances on the streets or in one of the nearby municipal lots. He didn’t see parking being much of a problem at all. Nice guy, and a local who remembered attending the theatre as a younger man.
Posted another trio of pics, taken Saturday, December 8th, 2012. Pretty much down to the finishing details on the facade, now. No way of knowing how the interior is coming along.
I like how the comments here go back to 2004, because Post Ave. was such a different place then, a lot has changed in the last 8 years. As long time residents of Westbury my wife and I remember the theater when it was open and all the nuttiness that went along with it. Like many on here I was sure that once it sold it would become yet another “senior living community” but was pleasantly surprised that the new owners fully intended on keep good on their promise to bring back the theater. Post Ave. is no longer the run-down strip of fly by night store fronts and ratty apartments. The village and community has done a lot over the years to fix that, once the theater is up and running, post will be a pretty sight again form the trestle to the parkway. I think the community has grown, for the better, and I look forward to seeing it continue to improve.
Latest pair of pics posted. Marquee still under wraps, but looking pretty damn close to completion. Still nothing on an anticipated opening date or booking?
Rolled past yesterday and the crew was working on some additional outside lighting. The marquee is up and lights are in. I asked when the opening was projected and he man said about one month.
Drove past on my way home from the office this on Friday, April 19th, and snapped 5 quick shots with my cell camera. The place looks ready for business. There was an older, well-dressed gentleman and a much younger woman who accompanied him, walking the perimeter of the theater as I approached the block. I saw them turn the corner from Post Ave onto the northern side street, where the man checked that the two doors located just off Post were locked. Not sure what that was about.
Also struck me that there are no display cases along the main facade – though, I suppose, those could be easily anchored onto the wall at a later date, easily enough. However, there are two rectangular recesses in the wall at new side entrance on the southern facade, that appear to be intended for poster displays. Through those doors, one can also make out a mural depicting what seems to be a man on stage playing to a house of empty seats! Hopefully, not a prophetic image!
As MissVicki noted, the marquee lights are in – and I’m happy that they appear to be the old fashioned screw-in bulbs, rather than some modern LED type of affair. I’m sure the display panels will include some sort of modern animated signage, but at least the framing and undercarriage are to be lit incandescently!
Hopefully, the next time I snap some pics, there’ll be an attraction listed up on those boards!
Looks like a catering hall.