Toyota Oakdale Theatre facts for kids

The Oakdale Theatre is a popular place for performances in Wallingford, Connecticut. It first opened in 1954. This venue has two main parts: a large auditorium and a smaller 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 where the stage was in the middle, surrounded by seats. It could hold 1,400 people. The theater was built in a field near the Oakdale Tavern.

Early Days: Summer Shows

When it first opened in June 1954, the Oakdale was mainly used for summer stock plays. This meant it only operated during the warmer months. Some famous plays performed there in the first year included Kiss Me, Kate, South Pacific, and Oklahoma!.

Growing into a Concert Spot

In 1962, Ben Segal bought the nearby tavern. He also made some small changes to the theater to make it better for visitors. Around this time, the Oakdale also started hosting concerts. It became a regular stop for many famous music acts, just like the Westbury Music Fair. Big names like Tom Jones, Paul Anka, Led Zeppelin, The Who, and The Doors all performed there.

Changes and Challenges

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

However, by the 1980s, the theater started to lose some of its popularity. Even with the wooden dome, it still only opened seasonally. The "theater in the round" style was becoming less popular, and the venue began to have money problems. In 1989, Ben Segal sold the theater to Robert Errato.

New Plans and Renovations

Robert Errato first wanted to turn the property into apartments and shops. But the community protested, saying the theater was an important landmark. So, Errato changed his plans. He then suggested an $80 million project to improve the theater and add an office park and shops. Again, the community was against it, worried about more traffic and losing the town's "country" feel.

Finally, in 1994, Errato was able to move forward with a $21 million renovation. This big change removed the central stage and created an auditorium-style seating arrangement. A new building was constructed, and the old wooden dome was emptied out and 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 then became known as "The Dome at Oakdale." In 1998, a company called SFX Entertainment bought the rights to operate the venue.

How the Name Changed Over Time

The Oakdale Theatre has had several different names throughout its history:

• Oakdale Musical Theatre (June 21, 1954 – December 16, 1989)
• Oakdale Theatre (December 17, 1989 – July 6, 1996)
• SNET Oakdale Theatre (July 7, 1996 – July 10, 2000)
• ctnow.com Oakdale Theatre (July 11, 2000 – May 2, 2002)
• careerbuilder.com Oakdale Theatre (May 3, 2002 – July 10, 2005)
• Chevrolet Theatre (July 11, 2005 – December 12, 2009)
• Toyota Oakdale Theatre (December 13, 2009 – present)

Challenges and Solutions

The Oakdale Theatre has faced some challenges over the years, especially regarding its operations and noise.

Rules About Performances

In 1998, the Town of Wallingford sent a letter to the theater owners. A permit from 1989 said there couldn't be two performances on the same weekday. But the famous illusionist David Copperfield was scheduled for shows on a Wednesday and Thursday. The case went to court, and the court sided with the Town of Wallingford.

Ownership Changes

In 2002, the owner, Robert Errato, sued the company that operated the theater, Clear Channel Entertainment. Errato said Clear Channel had told him he wasn't allowed on the property anymore. Clear Channel argued that Errato had broken parts of their contract, like planning building inspections without telling them. Because of this case, Clear Channel ended up buying the venue and the property.

Noise Concerns

In December 2014, the Town of Wallingford sent another letter about noise. The Dome at Oakdale was officially listed as a lobby, not a performance area. But concerts in the Dome were causing noise complaints from nearby homes. Many residents worried the "landmark" theater might have to close. People started a Facebook campaign and protested in the streets.

Despite the letter, Live Nation, the current operator, said they would keep booking concerts in both the auditorium and the Dome. In May 2015, the Town of Wallingford lifted the order. However, the theater still had to follow rules about noise. Jim Koplik, who leads Live Nation Connecticut, asked for money from the state to add soundproofing to the Dome. But the state wanted to add a 10% fee to all tickets sold. Koplik decided not to take the funding, saying it wouldn't be fair to add that tax.

See also

• House of Blues