Toyota Oakdale Theatre facts for kids

The Oakdale Theatre is a cool place in Wallingford, Connecticut, where many shows happen. It first opened in 1954. This venue has two main parts: a large auditorium and a special domed theater called The Dome at Oakdale.

The Oakdale Theatre's Story

The Oakdale Theatre was started by Ben Segal in 1954. Back then, it was an outdoor theater with seats all around the stage. It could hold 1,400 people. The theater was built in a field near the Oakdale Tavern.

Early Days as a Summer Theater

When it first opened in June 1954, the theater was mostly used for summer plays. This meant it was only open during certain times of the year. Famous plays like Kiss Me, Kate, South Pacific, and Oklahoma! were performed there.

Growing into a Concert Venue

In 1962, Ben Segal bought the nearby tavern. He also made some small changes to the theater to make it better for visitors. At this time, the Oakdale also started hosting music concerts. Many famous bands and singers played there, including Tom Jones, Paul Anka, Led Zeppelin, The Who, and The Doors.

Big Changes in the 1970s and 1990s

In 1972, a wooden dome was built over the theater, replacing the old tent. This change doubled the seating to 3,200 people. The 1970s brought even more concerts, plus boxing matches and other sports events.

By the 1980s, the theater started to struggle financially. The "theater in the round" style was becoming less popular. In 1989, Ben Segal sold the venue to Robert Errato.

Errato first wanted to turn the property into apartments and shops. But the community protested, saying the theater was an important landmark. So, he changed his plans.

Major Renovation and New Look

In 1994, Errato finally moved forward with a big $21 million renovation. This project removed the central stage and created a new auditorium-style seating area. A new building was built, and the old wooden dome was turned into a grand lobby.

The new theater opened on July 7, 1996, with a concert by Brooks & Dunn. In 1997, concerts also started happening in the former wooden dome, which became "The Dome at Oakdale."

How the Name Changed Over Time

The Oakdale Theatre has had several different names since it opened:

• Oakdale Musical Theatre (1954–1989)
• Oakdale Theatre (1989–1996)
• SNET Oakdale Theatre (1996–2000)
• ctnow.com Oakdale Theatre (2000–2002)
• careerbuilder.com Oakdale Theatre (2002–2005)
• Chevrolet Theatre (2005–2009)
• Toyota Oakdale Theatre (2009–present)

Working with the Community

Sometimes, the theater has had to work with the town of Wallingford on rules and regulations.

Rules About Shows

In 1998, the town reminded the owners about a rule from 1989. This rule said there couldn't be two shows on the same weekday. When illusionist David Copperfield was booked for two weekday shows, the town stepped in. A court decided that the town's rule was correct.

Changes in Ownership

In 2002, the owner, Robert Errato, and the company that operated the theater, Clear Channel Entertainment, had a disagreement. Clear Channel then bought the venue and the property. Today, the theater is owned by Live Nation Connecticut.

Dealing with Noise Concerns

In 2014, the town had concerns about noise from concerts in The Dome at Oakdale. Neighbors complained because the Dome was originally meant to be a lobby, not a concert space. Many people worried the theater might close.

However, Live Nation said they would keep booking concerts. In May 2015, the town lifted the order, but the theater still had to follow rules about noise. The president of Live Nation Connecticut, Jim Koplik, asked for money to add soundproofing to the Dome. But he decided not to take the money because it would have meant adding a fee to all tickets, which he felt was unfair to fans.

See also

• House of Blues