Lake Worth Playhouse
713 Lake Avenue,
Lake Worth,
FL
33460
713 Lake Avenue,
Lake Worth,
FL
33460
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The Lake Worth Playhouse is discussed and visited starting at 2:19 in this Lake Worth episode of the PBS tv program “On the Town in the Palm Beaches” on Youtube, (although the exterior shots at 2:41 and 4:03 are actually of the Lake Theatre):
https://youtu.be/-61xIcKfLV0?t=138
The Street Painting Festival is shown at 10:47 followed by the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County housed in the former Lake Theatre.
History of the Lake Worth Playhouse page on the Playhouse’s website:
http://www.lakeworthplayhouse.org/playhouse_history.html
Sporridge, in response to your question from June 25th, 2011 regarding newspaper references to the Capri, I found this Palm Beach Post article from May 7th, 2014 saying the Lake Worth Playhouse had been the Capri Art Theatre, then in 1968 became the Playtoy!:
“When Lake Worth Was the ‘Skin Flick Capital of the Country‘”
(When I was a kid I remember some regular movie theaters having an “X” on their marquees, but this is the first I’ve heard of one changing its name to make its adult nature more obvious.)
The article, that begins with an exterior photo and ends with a list of some titles that screened there, says the Playtoy became embroiled in an anti-indecency court case over the film “Deep Throat” that closed the cinema in the early 1970‘s, before it was purchased by the Lake Worth Playhouse nonprofit group that converted it into a venue for live theater.
A visitor to the area today would perceive no indication of the Playhouse’s former less respectable identity.
By the way, a good reason to visit Lake Worth is the Street Painting Festival that takes place annually in late February on Lake Worth’s downtown streets including in front of the Playhouse.
Worth Theatre should be added to Previous Names.
Undated photo as the Worth Theatre added, credit Historical Society of Palm Beach County. But likely circa
30s-40s.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?
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.
Ed: I’m also a good internet friend with Karen Noonan, THSA (Theatre Historical Society of America) president.
Ed: If you go to my profile page, you’ll find my email address.
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.
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
It was a Wurlitzer though….made in N. Tonawanda NY!
EdK: I will be sending an email to the General Manager of the Lake Worth Playhouse and hopefully this person can provide some organ information.
EdK: I don’t, but I hope someone can tell us!
Does anybody know what happened to the organ?
Thanks Ed
Interesting story about the Oakley brothers, Clarence and Lucian who once owned the Oakley which had a Wurlitzer organ AND live orchestra! It’s too bad that neither the former Oakley and/or the former Lake Theatre which is now PBICA (Palm Beach Insitute of Contemporary Art)don’t exist today!
Can’t seem to bring up the Lake Worth Playhouse official site.
While looking through FL theatres I don’t see the restored Lyric Theatre listed. It is in Stewart FL.