Ridgefield Playhouse facts for kids
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| Address | 80 East Ridge Ridgefield, Connecticut United States |
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| Type | Indoor theatre |
| Capacity | 500 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1938 |
| Rebuilt | 2000 |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Architect | Cass Gilbert Jr. |
| Website | |
| http://www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org/ | |
The Ridgefield Playhouse is a cool place for entertainment in Ridgefield, Connecticut. It's a theater that can hold up to 500 people. You can enjoy all sorts of fun events here. They show films, host exciting plays, and feature amazing musical performances. It's a busy spot for arts and culture in the town.
Contents
History of the Playhouse
The Ridgefield Playhouse first opened its doors in December 2000. The very first show was a performance by the famous guitarist Jose Feliciano. But the building itself is much older!
From School Auditorium to Playhouse
Before it became the Playhouse, this building was the auditorium for the old Ridgefield High School. An auditorium is a large hall where people gather for performances or meetings. This special hall was designed in the 1940s. The architect who designed it was Cass Gilbert Jr.
The Gilbert Family Legacy
Cass Gilbert Jr. came from a family of famous architects. His father was Cass Gilbert. Cass Gilbert was a very important architect. He designed some really famous buildings in the United States. These include the Supreme Court Building and the Woolworth Building. So, the Playhouse has a cool connection to architectural history!
A Community Hub
When the building was still the high school auditorium, it was a busy place. Students used it for school plays and concerts. The community also used it for different events. Town meetings were held there, too. During World War II, people from Ridgefield even got to see the famous conductor Arturo Toscanini lead an orchestra there. It has always been a special gathering spot for the town.
