Playhouse Theatre

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Uploaded on: March 14, 2021

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In 1933 the local D.A.V. purchased the Theater and changed the name to the Reno. They planned on making it a family style theater with plenty of shows for the kids. But this venture didn’t last long as the venue changed again in 1934 to the Ritz Theater and one more time in 1935 to the Playhouse Theater.

The Playhouse Theater had the longest run in the building holding out until the mid to late 60’s. In a 1969 Times Ad it called the theater “St. Pete’s leading all-adult theatre”.

In 1974 Freddie Langston turned the venue into Papa’s Dream, a Christian disco hot-spot for teens.

In 1981 it became the Golden Apple Dinner Theater and then the Encore Dinner Theater.

By the 1990’s with the new stadium going in, the building became Extra Innings Ballpark Cafe and by the mid-2000’s it was the Concert Central with shows and a martini bar.