Aladdin Theater facts for kids
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Aladdin Theater, State Theater, Fine Arts Theater, Cocoa Village Playhouse
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| Address | 300 Brevard Avenue Cocoa, Florida United States |
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| Owner | City of Cocoa |
| Operator | The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse |
| Type | Community theatre |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1924 |
| Reopened | 1990 |
| Website | |
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Aladdin Theater
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| NRHP reference No. | 91001541 |
| Added to NRHP | October 17, 1991 |
The Aladdin Theater (also known as The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse) is a very old and important theater in Cocoa, Florida, United States. You can find it at 300 Brevard Avenue. It first opened its doors on August 18, 1924. Because it's so special, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on October 17, 1991.
Today, the City of Cocoa owns the theater. It is run by its own board of directors. About 50,000 people visit the theater each year to enjoy shows.
Contents
Discover the Theater's History
The Aladdin Theater has a long and interesting past. It has changed names and owners many times!
Early Days and Silent Movies
The Aladdin Theater first opened in 1924. Back then, it cost about $80,000 to build. It was a popular spot for watching silent movies and live performances.
Changing Names and Owners
- In 1939, the Sparks Theater chain bought the Aladdin. They changed its name to the "State Theater."
- Later, in 1960, the Kent Theater Chain purchased the building. They renamed it the "Fine Arts Theater."
- After that, the City of Cocoa bought the building. They gave it a new name: the "Cocoa Village Playhouse."
- In 1984, the city sold the theater to Brevard Community College for just $1!
Bringing the Theater Back to Life
When Brevard Community College took over in 1985, the theater was in bad shape. But with help from donations and grants, the building was beautifully restored. This restoration work happened from 1985 to 1989. In 1990, the playhouse started putting on community musicals. This meant local people could perform in and enjoy shows there.
A Movie Star Theater
The theater even became a movie star! It was a main location in the 1993 film Matinee. In the movie, it pretended to be the "Key West Strand Theater." The film was set during the Cuban Missile Crisis and starred actor John Goodman.
Modern Updates and Return to the City
In 2007, work began on a new addition to the theater. This annex cost about $2.8 million. In 2011, the building was given back to the City of Cocoa. Today, it continues to be a beloved place for arts and entertainment in the community.
