Lake Worth Playhouse
713 Lake Avenue,
Lake Worth,
FL
33460
713 Lake Avenue,
Lake Worth,
FL
33460
1 person
favorited this theater
The Oakley Theatre opened in 1924, by two brothers, Clarence and Lucian Oakley, at a cost reportedly around $150,000. It was designed in the Mediterranean Revival style which was popular in the area at that time. The letters “OT” can still be seen on the wooden beams of the auditorium’s ceiling. For the theater’s opening night, a silent film, accompanied by both a Wurlitzer organ and live orchestra as well as a live stage review were on the program.
In 1928, a hurricane hit the Lake Worth area, and caused severe damage to the Oakley. The brothers vowed to rebuild, and by early 1929, they had. The style of the new theater would be done in Art Deco. Just a few months after reopening, the Oakley was wired for sound films, but due to the Depression, business was not strong and the Oakley brothers fell into financial difficulties. Lucian committed suicide in 1931, and a year to the day after Lucian took his own life, Clarence died of a heart attack. It’s said to this day, the ghosts of the brothers haunt their theater.
After the Oakley’s deaths, the theater changed hands, formats, and names a number of times, including mainstream Hollywood movies, art films, and, towards the end, adult films. By the early 70s, the old movie house was in decrepit shape, and vacant for some time.
In 1975, the 22 year-old Lake Worth Playhouse, which had been meeting in part of the City Hall Building, purchased the former Oakley Theatre for their new home, and gave the theater a much-needed renovation. In addition to legitmate theater (including traditional musicals and cutting-edge modern drama), the Playhouse features a Playwright’s Workshop, youth theater, poetry slams, concerts, and various special events.
Contributed by
Bryan
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Recent comments (view all 16 comments)
It was a Wurlitzer though….made in N. Tonawanda NY!
Hi Patsy,
I music directed a couple shows there recently. I’m the one trying to find out for the theatre because they don’t know. It was a Wurlizer Piano Console (someone in American Theatre Organ Society told me that)…they even know the Opus number of it (I have that info here somewhere). They’re trying to restore the theatre but they suffered damage from the hurricane this year and last so money had to be diverted to roof repairs, etc.
Website is www.lakeworthplayhouse.org
Ed
Ed: Thanks so much for replying to my organ inquiry. I’m not an organ society member, but do know several who are with MTOS (Metrolina Theatre Organ Society) in the Charlotte NC area. So sorry to hear about the Playhouse roof damage caused by hurricanes in FL as many theatres were destroyed or damaged along the MS coast and in N.O. If you go to the Sunrise Theatre CT link, you’ll learn about the restored 1923 theatre in Ft. Pierce FL. A good friend of mine sent me the 1/15/07 Palm Beach Post article as I didn’t realize this theatre ever existed. A member by the name of Paul Noble contributed the Sunrise to the CT list of theatres. Thank you Paul.
Ed: If you go to my profile page, you’ll find my email address.
Ed: I’m also a good internet friend with Karen Noonan, THSA (Theatre Historical Society of America) president.
Films (albeit digitally projected) have returned to the Lake Worth Playhouse. Its adjoining Stonzek Studio Theatre (opened 1995, looks like converted retail space) joined the Emerging Cinemas network, presenting current arthouse fare daily. A black box space with 48 seats, reminiscent of cine clubs and college film programs past.
Occasional special event screenings are being scheduled for Lake Worth Playhouse’s mainstage. They’re filling a void left by the demises of the Carefree/The Theatre, once the Palm Beaches' alt fare mainstays.
One goal of their post-hurricane restoration has been accomplished: they have their beautiful new marquee completed.
This is a nice 2009 photo.
1981 Photo
The Oakley Theater is listed in 1940 with 575 seats.
Street view notes: This LWP marquee is fairly new, installed in recent years. To the left, a little bit of the Stonzek Studio Theatre (still in use as a digital minicinema and occasional live stage space) may be seen.
Scanning the Palm Beach Post/Google archives, I’ve seen frequent references to an art/adult cinema, the Capri, “in the heart of Lake Worth.” Does anyone know if LWP previously had this alias?