This list of theaters and entertainment venues in Newark, New Jersey includes past and present opera houses and theaters, cabarets, music halls and other places of live entertainment in the city.
Here is a list of historical theatres and movie houses:[1] [2] [3]
| Name | Address | Built | Seats | Association | Closure | Significance | Current Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Performing Arts Center | 1 Center Street | 1997 | 2,868 | ? | - | Performing arts theatre | Operational | |
| CityPlex 12 Newark | 360-394 Springfield Avenue/Bergen Street | 1993 | 2,600 | Sony Theatres, Loews | - | Movie theatre started as six screens and later became 12 screens. Ownership is Shaquille O'Neal, retired basketball player.[4] | Operational | |
| Newark Symphony Hall | 1020 Broad Street | 1925 | 2,800 | ? | - | Was used as vaudeville and movie house. Dance Studio and live theatre with Symphony Concerts. Previously known as "Salaam Temple," "Mosque Theatre." | Operational | |
| All Jersey Multiplex Cinemas | 104 Foundry Street | 1991 | ? | National Amusements | 2006 | Movie theatre with 12 screens on former drive-thru movie theatre | Closed and demolished in 2014 | |
| Newark Drive-Thru | 170 Foundry Street | 1955 | 2,500 cars | Redstone Drive-In Theatres | 1985 | First showings of Kirk Douglas in Man Without a Star and Edward G. Robinson in A Bullet for Joey. Three screens in 1982. Outdoor movie theatre.[5] | Closed and a movie theatre built same location in 1991 | |
| National Theatre | 182-184 Irvine Turner Boulevard | 1914 | 500 | Independent Theater Service Inc. | after 1940s | Movies were selected for African-American viewing audience after the 1940s. Location of street was originally called Belmont Ave.[6] | Closed | |
| Adams | 28 Branford Place | 1912 | 2,037 | Paramount Pictures | 1986 | Vaudeville and stage plays to Movie theatre. Famous performers were booked after the two Adams brothers purchased the theatre in 1939. Such artists were the Andrew Sisters, Artie Shaw, Cab Calloway, Charlie Barnet, Duke Ellington, Eddie Cantor, Ella Fitzgerald, the Marx Brothers, Sammy Davis, Jr, and Tommy Dorsey.[7] In 1940, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were pictured in the Adams projector room with their agent and the owner, Mr. Adam A. Adams.[8] In 1960, the "Stagehand Strike" occurred by the local stagehands union 21 picketing in front of the theatre during the showing of Ben Hur. The lockout (industry) by stagehand employees was also at the nearby, "Paramount Theatre," also owned by the Adams Brothers, during live stage attractions that were being shown that time.[9] | Closed, dilapidated state of repairs | |
| Empire Theater | 265 Washington Street | 1912 | 1,000 | ? | 1957 | Burlesque theatre, Leon Errol comedian.[10] During different years, was an opera house, vaudeville theatre, and movie house, with the distinction as burlesque from the 1930s until February 14, 1957.[11] | Demolished and became a parking location until a bank was built. | |
| Ascher's Halsey Theatre | 138 Market Street and Halsey Streets corner | 1847 | 1,250 | Fox | ? | First Newark theatre, was live music, theatre, vaudeville, and movies. Burlesque, Leon Errol and James E. Cooper, comedians[12] Started as Waller's Opera House and later became Waldmann's Opera House for vaudeville acts, under the Fred Waldmann ownership. In 1917, William Fox had control and named it "Fox's Carlton Theatre" for photoplays and later was known as "Gayety Theatre." The New York-based Ascher Enterprises took over on May 14, 1921, and naming "Ascher's Halsey Theatre" due a poor operations ending probably in 1922 the business.[13] | Demolished indication. | |
| Miner's Newark | 195 Market Street | 1886 | 1,605 | ? | ? | Vaudeville theater started by Henry C. Miner and operated by a Brooklyn, NY theatre company, Hyde & Behman Amusement Co. Upon Miner's death in 1900, family sold in 1916 to Edward Spiegel, owner of the "Strand Theatre." Featured an orchestra floor, wood frame balcony, and private viewing areas. This theatre became known as the Paramount in 1931 under the Adams Brothers that became owners in 1921 from purchase from Spiegel. Architect Thomas W. Lamb completed redesign in 1916. 2,003 seats total capacity in 1916. | ? | |
| Branford | 11-23 Branford Place | 1941 | 3,100 | Stanley-Warner, Warner Bros | 1985 | Emil Zucker and Herman Steiner had it built. Opened December 17, 1920 and designed by architect, Fred Wesley Wentworth. In 1968, Newark's "RKO Proctor Theatre" merged the "Branford theatre," under Stanley Warner ownership.[14] Had a seating capacity listed also at 2,844 and September 15, 1978, had four movie screens.[15] | Demolished in 1985. | |
| Loew's State | 635 Broad Street corner of New Street | 1921 | 2,700 | Loew's | 1977 | Vaudeville to first run movies. Designed by architect Thomas W. Lamb among three other theatres in New York City under Loew's. The Wizard of Oz was shown here in the release of 1939. Indicated 2,589 seats. | Closed in 1977, demolished in 1978,[16] location is an office building | |
| Proctor's Palace | 116 Market Street | 1915 | 2,500 | Radio-Keith-Orpheum Corporation (RKO Pictures) | 1968 | Vaudeville theater, movie showings and alternating vaudeville acts. The comedian Milton Berle and straight man Archibald Leach, later to be known as Cary Grant, did comedy vaudeville in the mid 1920s at the theatre before their 1930s film careers began.[17] Owner was Frederick F. Proctor and sold to RKO prior to death in 1929. Theatre name became known as "RKO Proctor's Theatre." Merger occurred with Branford Theatre and closed in 1968. | Closed in 1968, location is a shoe store in the lobby with vacant portions rest of building. Dilapidation. | |
| Terminal | 86-94 Park Place | 1902 | 1,800 | Fox Circuit, Proctor's | 1943 | Known as "Proctor’s Theatre" on January 6, 1902, opening. Will Rogers did a cowboy vaudeville stage performance for the first time of his career at Proctor's Theatre during the week of December 1908. Returned in November 8 thru 13, 1909 with his wife, Betty Blake Rogers in the audience to an unimpressed show. Two films were shown during that time, "Fun with the Manikin" and "The Bogey Woman" (French/ Pathe.) Rogers performed again in November 1911 as was contracted by F. F. Proctor in Newark and 58th Street Theatre of New York City.[18] The theater was then operated by William Fox's Fox Circuit by 1926 and renamed Fox's Terminal Theatre. In 1941 was Skouras Theaters Corp. chain. Listed as 1,610 seating.[19] | ? | |
| Lyric | 211 Market Street, near Broad Street | 1908 | 1,466 | ? | 1960s | A remodeling was done in 1933 by architect Ben Schlanger. | Demolished in 1960s and land used for a newspaper printing plant. Indicated 1,200 seats.[20] | |
| Broad | 568 Broad Street and Fulton Street | 1912 | 1,460 | ? | 1950 | Initially known as the Sam S. Shubert Theatre on January 8, 1912. New York's Shubert family had it built. Showed movies and became burlesque as Minsky's Burlesque. Returned to movies and name changed. Indicated 1383 seats. | Closed, demolished[21] | |
| Proctor's Roof | 116 Market Street | 1915 | 1,450 | RKO Pictures | 1968 | Vaudeville productions then film showings, opened November 22, 1915. Was on top of Proctor's Palace Theatre. In 1960s, a re-opening was done due to lack of film showing use, and the name changed to Penthouse Cinema for foreign movies. Closed in 1968 after Newark Riots. | ? | |
| Rialto Theatre | 915 Broad Street | 1920 | 1,250 | ? | 1950s | Known as the "Brandt Theatre" for 1941 and 1950 movie theatre listings, 1,762 seats indicated.[22] | Closed to a retail location and demolished | |
| Paramount | 195 Market Street | 1886 | 1,200 | Paramount-Pictures | 1986 | Vaudeville and later movie house. Marque has Newark name. Originally was the "Miner theatre," renovations in the 1931 for association with Paramount-Publix "talkies" movies. The Adams Brothers were owners of the theatre since purchasing from Spiegal in 1921. First silent film showing of The Great Moment was featured on their grand opening by the Adams owners in 1921.[23] There was a live performance by Billie Holiday. The comedian and actor, Jerry Lee Lewis worked as an usher at the theatre as a native born Newarker.[24] In 1960, the "Stagehand Strike" occurred by the Stagehands Local Union 21 picketing in front of the theatre during the live stage attractions of Redd Foxx, The Miracles with Smokey Robinson, Shep and the Limelights, Chuck Jackson and others lined up. The "Lyric Theatre" was shown nearby as not involved in this lockout (industry) by stagehand employees. Additionally, the "Adams Theatre," also owned by the Adams Brothers, was picketed during a movie showing or stage shows by the stagehands union.[25] Indicated 1,966 seats capacity. | Closed March 31, 1986, operated as a store until 2011. Dilapidated state of repairs[26] | |
| Court | 16 West Market Street | 1910[27] | 800 | Independent Theater Service Inc. | mid 1950s | Theatre for African-American's during the 1940s to 1950s. Breintnall Place. Indicated 786 seats. | Demolished in mid 1950s for the Essex County Courthouse.[28] | |
| Elwood | 642 Broadway and Elwood corner | 1931[29] | 1,270 | Eastern Theatres Circuit | ? | Started in 1931. Operational during the 1950s for second-run double featured films Here Come the Girls (1953 film) and Fighter Attack.[30] Also, operational in 1959 for Don't Give up the Ship and Tarzan's Greatest Adventure[31] Purchased by Eastern Theatres Circuit and renovated in 1959. In 1964, presented movies such as, Man's Favorite Sport and Dark Purpose with matinees dedicated for children with a K. Gordon Murray dubbed English version, Puss in Boots (1961 film) featured a live costume character present at the theatre.[32] Indicated by Eddie Steinberg as owner and operator between mid 1950s to 1968.[33] During the 1970s, The theatre "Teatro Caribe" which was previously known as "Cameo Theatre" location on Elizabeth Avenue moved and became known as the "New Caribe Elwood" with Spanish language films, such as Las Mil y Unas Noches until closure in late 1970s. [34] ? | Demolished and became a fast food business | |
| Newsreel Theatre | 800 Broad Street | 1938 | ? | Newsreel Theatres, Inc. | 1960s | Architect John Eberson designed the theatre. Featured, one hour news from Universal, RKO-Pathe, Paramount, News of the Day, and Fox Movietone News until closure from television news media sources dominated. Was known as the "Guild Theatre" prior.[35] | Closed 1960s and ground level was used for retail until demolished location. | |
| Luxor | 264 Market Street | 1950s | ? | ? | 1960s | Movie theatre of mostly Polish foreign language films during late 1950s and then pornographic films in the 1960s as the theatre names was, "Luxor Follies."[36] | Demolished for office building | |
| Capitol Theatre | 120 Market Street | 1914 | 1,250 | Stanley-Warner, Warner Bros | mid 1950s | Originally known as the Strand Theatre since May 1, 1914. Renamed to Capital Theatre prior to 1926. Was associated with the larger Branford Theatre under Warner Bros for capacity of moviegoers from there. The theatre was nearest the "RKO Proctor's Theatre" and boomed in viewers from their closure.[37] | Closed and became a store. | |
| Crystal Theatre | 282 Washington Street | 1914 | seats | ? | 1926 | ? | Demolished and open parking lot[38] | |
| Rivoli Theater | 208 Ferry Street | 1920 | 1,200 | ? | 1960s | Started serving the Polish and German community with films. | Closed and is a furniture showroom[39] | |
| Ironbound Theater | 172 Ferry Street | 1921 | 1,200 | ? | 1957s | Operated as "Pic Theatre" from October 16, 1946, up to 1951 and reverted to Ironbound naming some time after 1957 listings as a theatre. | Closed and had retail or other business such as a bakery[40] | |
| Cameo | 81 Elizabeth Avenue | 1950s | 966 | ? | 1972 | In 1950s had live theatre after being a movie house. Indicated by Eddie Steinberg as owner and operator briefly in early 1950s.[41] Became "Teatro Caribe", with Spanish films until 1972 | Church | |
| Grand Opera House | 399-401 Washington Street and Marshall Streets | 1872 | 1800 | ? | 1916 | Built 1872 and opened on October 5, 1872, as the "Industrial Institute Hall." Name changes to "Grand Opera House," "Columbia Theatre," "Jacob's Theatre," and in 1916, "Family Theatre." In 1886, the "Columbia Theatre" was used for vaudeville performances. Changes from 2,400 to 1,800 in seats were done in a remodeling for motion pictures under "Jacob's Theatre." A 1916 inspection revealed an unsafe building and required to close.[42] Theatre was built originally as a skating rink.[43] | Closed December 6, 1916. Demolished. | |
| Washington Theatre | Market Street near Washington Street | 1897 | ? | Fox | ? | First Newark movie house. Under control of William Fox (producer)[44] | ? | |
| Kenney's | 30 Branford Place and Halsey Street | 1912 | 2,100 | ? | ? | "New York Times" published the announcement on September 12, 1912, that Levi Weingarten was planning Newark's largest theater for Corse Payton with a $25,500 10-year lease.[45] Would be known as "Payton Corse Theatre" and with the same location address later as the "Schubert Theatre."[46] | ? | |
| Goodwin | 859-863 Broad Street | 1913 | 761 | 1950s | Was considered part of the Stanley-Fabian circuit, along with fellow theaters: "Branford," "Capital," "Mosque," and "Rialto."[47] Became known as "Globe Theatre" with 750 seats in 1941 with Warner Brothers Circuit Management Corporation.[48] Was only full-time art theater for many years until converted to retailing in the 1950s. | Closed, undetermined if demolished officially. Location has a three level retail store and a few stores alongside. | ||
| Orpheum Theater | 385 Washington St | 1911 | 1,693 | ? | ? | Theatre, Morris L. Selesinger had it built. Indicated largest amusement house in a New York Times announcement when sold to Samuel Katz in 1912.[49] | ? | |
| Cameo Twin Cinema XXX | 68 Orange Street | 1924 | ? | ? | 2010 | Known as the "Treat Theatre" until 1957s. In the 1980s, began showing pornographic movies and closed due to a murder | Demolished June 2012 for a parking lot[50] | |
| Little Theatre | 562 Broad Street | 1928 | 299 | ? | 2018 | German art and foreign films during the 1950s until 1970s. Pornographic films in the 1980s with two screens.[51] | Closed, still for lease | |
| Avon Theatre | 459 Clinton Avenue | 1926 | 980 | Fox Circuit | 1968 | Known as "American Theatre" before 1940. Community films were for African-Americans. Indicated by Eddie Steinberg as owner and operator between mid 1950s to 1968.[52] Showed double features with three movies changes per week during Steinberg ownership. Business growth when "National Theatre" closed nearby Belmont Avenue. | Demolished[53] | |
| Ritz Theatre | 409 Springfield Avenue | 1926 | 1,993 | Warner Bros | 1956 | Operated by Joseph Stern and used the Western Electric sound systems equipment for 1929. | Demolished and location became a parking lot of a national hardware store[54] | |
| Stanley Theatre | 983 S. Orange Avenue | 1927 | 1,969 | Stanley-Warner, Warner Bros. | late 1950s | Became known as an Italian-American cultural organization called "Casa Italiana." Later in the 1980s, owners were the "Newark Gospel Tabernacle."[55] | Church and building for sale | |
| Hawthorne Theatre | 396 Hawthorne Avenue | 1925 | 1,052 | Stanley-Warner, Warner Bros. | mid 1950s | Organ was installed by 1925 | grade school[56] | |
| Newark Opera House | Court Street and Washington Street | ? | 1,589 | ? | ? | Theatre was founded by Alfredo Cerrigone and general manager, for the audiences in the Italian-American Community.[57] The Newark Repertoire Company presented the popular running New York City, Stage Door (play) created in 1936 by George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber. The Theater in 1940 presented Broadway musicals, concerts, and operas. One opera featured singer Carlo Buti that year.[58] The Newark Opera Playhouse playbill, indicated John Clein's "Crescendo!" would play for a week on Monday, February 4 (1946) with renowned performers, Ralph Morgan and Nance O'Neil. Further opera stars, Soprano Hilda Reggiani and Tenor Bruno Landi (tenor) were guests from the Metropolitan Opera House of New York City for the March 10–31, 1946 presentations of composer Gaetano Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor."[59] The Jack Kirkland presentation of Tobacco Road (play) starred John Barton at this venue. | Closed and presumed demolished as a former Star-Ledger newspaper buildings location | |
| Bellevue | 80 Belleville Avenue | 1914 | 800 | ? | 1915s | Designed by Nathan Myers. Opened Spring 1914 as a photoplay house then was vaudeville.[60] | Closed, Demolished, street is Broadway | |
| Bergen | 328 Bergen Street | pre-1926 | 1,000 | ? | post-1935 | ?[61] | Closed, demolished, a parking lot | |
| Central | 505 Central Avenue near 8th Street | pre-1925 | 1,293 | Warner Bros | post-1956. | ?[62] | Closed, church | |
| Clinton Square | 233 Clinton Avenue | 1915 | 600 | ? | 1928 | ?[63] | Closed, demolished, housing | |
| Colonial | 148 Summer Avenue | 1925 | 800 | ? | 1934 | Possible known as "Elite Theatre" at the corner of Summer Ave & Bloomfield Ave for 1914.[64] | Closed, demolished, location is a gas station. | |
| Congress | 257 South Orange Avenue | 1925? | 600 | ? | 1951? | A Robert-Morton organ was installed in 1925. Was known as the "Victoria Theatre" for Italian vaudeville. Listed in the Film Daily Yearbook of 1951 as open.[65] | Closed, school | |
| De Luxe | 404 South Orange Avenue | 1913 | 600 | ? | 1928 | De Luxe Theatre.[66] Indicated as the "Strand Theatre" from 1939 until 1942, when Eddie Steinberg owned and operated it as a community theater at the location of South Orange and 12th Street, before he served in WWII. The owner had his mother as the cashier and gave weekly dinner plates to patrons at Tuesday showings up to a year to complete a set.[67] | Closed, building erect as church | |
| Essex Theater | 100 Springfield Ave | ? | 1,100 | ? | ? | Design by William E. Lehman. George Burns and Gracie Allen played here in 1922 when it was known as the "Hill Theatre."[68] | ? | |
| Grand | 647 Springfield Avenue | 1926 | 600 | ? | 1929 | ?[69] | Closed, Demolished, vacant lot | |
| Hill | 100 Springfield Avenue | 1913 | 1,200 | ? | 1928 | Architect plans by Nathan Myers. George Burns and Gracie Allen first performance in vaudeville.[70] | Closed, demolished and is a park | |
| Ideal | 425 Broad Street | pre-1914 | ? | ? | 1926 | ?[71] | Closed, undetermined building | |
| Kent | 856 Mount Prospect Avenue | pre-1943 | 391 | ? | post-1960 | Became a trampoline center circa 1960-1961.[72] | Closed, church | |
| Lincoln | 525 South Orange Ave | 1926 | 600 | ? | pre-1929 | ?[73] | Closed, demolish, empty lot. | |
| Lyceum | 229 Springfield Avenue | 1913 | 1,200 | Universal-Jewel | 1938? | Architects: Nathan Myers.[74] | ? | |
| Mayfair | 1011 S. Orange Avenue | 1929 | 1,201 | Liggett-Florin Booking Service, Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp. | 1950s | Liggett in 1957 and shortly Warner for closure as planned for larger "Stanley theatre" nearby.[75] | Closed, bowling alley and currently retail | |
| Mindlin's Playhouse | 982 Broad Street | 1930 | 420 | ? | post-1932 | Opened April 19, 1930 and listed in 1932 as "Carlton Theatre."[76] | Closed, building used by Newark Emergency Services For Families | |
| Mount Prospect | 675 Mount Prospect Avenue | pre 1926 | 1,100 | ? | pre 1935 | ? | Closed, retail[77] | |
| Park | 1025 Bergen Street | 1920s | 1,000 | ? | 1970s | "Bergen Theatre" "Weequahic Theatre" | Closed, Funeral Home | |
| Plaza Theatre | 400 Springfield Avenue | 1916 | 750 | ? | 1929 | There was a Plaza Theater at 129 North 7th Street.[78] | Closed | |
| Plaza Theater | 129 N. 7th Street | 1915s | 1,133 | Brandt Theaters | 1960s | There was another Plaza Theatre at the 400 Springfield Avenue location. Erected by Edward W. McDonough in 1915 for $100,000. The theater was an Art Deco style building built by architect, Henry Baechlin. Owned by Madelaine Kridel during the Newark Riots. The closure of the theatre occurred late 1960s after the Riots. | Closed, various English and Spanish churches | |
| Regent Theater | 8 Bloomfield Avenue | 1925 | 1,840 | Stanley-Warner Theatres, Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp. | 1951s | Joseph Stern management | Closed, Demolished | |
| Ronson | South Orange Avenue and Littleton Avenue | ? | 1,100 | ? | 1939 | Built and owned by Louis Vincent Aronson. Midweek movies and weekend vaudeville shows with some Black entertainers. In 1939, briefly managed by Eddie Steinberg, operator of various community theaters.[79] | Closed in 1939.[80] | |
| Roosevelt | 796 Clinton Avenue | 1926 | 1,714 | Stanley-Warner Theatres, Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp. | 1950s | [81] | Closed, building standing as a church | |
| Savoy | 101 Springfield Avenue | 1922 | 1,586 | Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp. | 1950s | Listed as a Negro Theater in the 1951 Film Daily Yearbook.[82] | Demolished | |
| Tivoli Theater | 545 Orange Street | 1920s | 1,861 | Stanley-Warner, Warner Bros., Circuit Management Corp.[83] | 1960s | Silent movies such as Circus Days with Jackie Coogan in 1923 and known as the "Stern's Tivoli Theatre" upon this showing. Operated by Joseph Stern in 1925. In April 1953, the first 3D Natural Vision color movie, Bwana Devil was shown along with the U.S. release of The Thief of Venice.[84] | Demolished late 1970s | |
| West End | 300 16th Avenue | 1920s | 925 | Independent Theater Service, Inc. | 1960s | Operated by multiple theater owner, Eddie Steinberg in the 50s and 60s. Showing double features and two or three movie changes per week. A showing of Elvis Presley's Love Me Tender (film) had thousands of patrons lined outside for the under capacity seating of 800, according to Steinberg.[85] | Closed, demolished, house built | |
| Newark Moonlight Cinema | 220 Orange Street | 2021 | cars | ? | 2021 | A drive-in theater implemented after the Covid-19 pandemic era for showing African-American filmmakers movies. Operated July 24, 2021 until October 31, 2021. Theater idea developed by filmmaker, Ayana Stafford-Morris and her real estate developer husband, Siree Morris.[86] | Closed, continued as the razed lot of the former Newark Bears Baseball Stadium |