The Newtown Theatre

Did you know? The Newtown Theatre was originally built in 1831 on land donated by Joseph Archambault as an independent, non-sectarian place of worship, "in which no man should preach for pay." Back then, the building was called "Free Church." By the 1850s, the building was no longer used for religious services and had become a venue for social dances, so the citizens of the village changed the name to "Newtown Hall."

December has always been one of our favorite months at the Newtown Theatre. There’s nothing like the shared experience of a full house clapping at the end of "It’s a Wonderful Life," or laughing through "Elf," or gasping in delight when Santa appears at the end of "Polar Express." This December is obviously different. We’re now on month 10 of being shut down. We've been able to do a few small events here and there, but our expected lineup of concerts, movies, comedy shows, pl...ays, and other special events has not been possible. And yet we're hopeful. This theatre has been there done that for 190 years (first built in 1831, rebuilt in 1883). It has stood through the Civil War, the 1918 flu pandemic, the Great Depression, two world wars, countless societal changes, and now another historic pandemic. This latest challenge is NOT going to take us out. Far from it. We have exciting plans for the theatre building that will improve the customer experience and solidify our standing as the center of entertainment in Newtown. We’re nearing the point where we can publicly share these plans. Stay tuned. In the meantime, please consider supporting the theatre if you're able. The day-to-day financial challenges we face are significant, and we expect this shutdown to go on for the foreseeable future. Any amount helps. Thank you for your support of our historic hometown gem. We have missed entertaining you, but we will be here ready to go when this is all over. Happy holidays, and stay safe!

Sip your morning coffee or tea from a Newtown Theatre mug! These beautiful mugs are dishwasher and microwave safe, and you can choose from a 11-ounce or a 15-ounce mug. Support your hometown theatre and grab a mug today: https://bit.ly/3nCBxRe

A lot of you have purchased Newtown Theatre T-shirts...and we want to see them! Snap a selfie of you in your shirt and post it in the comments (or direct message us). Don't have your shirt yet? They're still available here: https://bit.ly/2IFvtaD All proceeds will benefit the Newtown Theatre and support us during our "pandemic pause."

What movie is best seen on the big screen?

Ashtrays, cry rooms and intermissions? These used to be very common in American movie theaters!

Have you ever wondered about the stars on the front of the Newtown Theatre? They actually mark the placement of the support beams that hold up the balcony!

We aren't sure when we'll be able to reopen and host large events at the theatre. While we held our own for the early months of the pandemic, there are things we must pay for whether we're open or closed. That's why we need your help. Any amount of support you can provide will help! You can donate right on our website: https://bit.ly/39lyNDf

Fun fact: until the Great Depression, movie theaters used to explicitly ban popcorn!

Leave a lasting mark on Newtown! Personalized bricks outside the Newtown Theatre are a great way to honor a loved one or show your family/organization's support of the arts in Newtown. All proceeds from bricks directly benefit the historic Newtown Theatre. Learn more and personalize your own brick here: https://bit.ly/3oGOL03

The holidays are just around the corner! Don’t forget to grab your Newtown Theatre gifts before it’s too late. Our store is stocked with mugs, t-shirts, posters, and stickers all perfect for Newtown Theatre fans old and new.

The Newtown Theatre wasn't originally built with a balconythat was added later. But you won't meet anyone who remembers it without the balcony, since it was installed in 1887.