As the Richey Suncoast Theatre marks its centennial anniversary this summer, the organization is also looking forward to the future to ensure the prized New Port Richey landmark lives another 100 years.
The theater recently kicked off a capital campaign, called “Every Legend Deserves an Encore,” to raise funds to help preserve the community icon. Taking center stage is the first phase of the project: restoring the building’s exterior facade, where years of wear have allowed water to seep inside as sections of stucco have begun pulling away from the structure, executive director Susie Saxe said. Plans also include replacing the building’s windows and doors, which will cost at least $150,000, she said, with facade work at least a few hundred thousand more.
“The goal of this capital campaign is the restoration of the theater’s public-facing historic envelope, preserving architectural character while protecting the building for future generations,” she said.
Once these renovations are complete, the next goal is restoring the interior of the theater to revitalize the original Spanish Revival character that the theater lost during previous renovations.
“We started working with architects to figure out what the building may have looked like inside in the 1920s — what other buildings of that era looked like so we can try to restore it to what it originally would have appeared like,” Saxe said.
Nestled among the downtown businesses and residences at the corner of Nebraska Avenue and Grand Boulevard, the theater first opened on July 1, 1926 — then as the Thomas Meighan Theatre. Over the years, the historic building has transitioned several times — into the Vogue Theatre in 1939, closing its doors in 1968, and opening once more in 1971, this time as the Richey Suncoast Theatre after a merger with the Richey Theatre Guild.
“It’s an honor to celebrate the 100th birthday of this humble but highly important stage of entertainment that has survived wars, recessions and cultural revolutions, but has still stuck to its core values of providing a place for performers and patrons to display their talents for all to enjoy, regardless of socioeconomic background,” said Mike Worssell, the theater’s box office manager.
Affectionately referred to a “lovely lady,” among other nicknames, by staff, the theater recently had its roof replaced with the help of a grant from the New Port Richey Community Redevelopment Agency.
“The biggest challenge is keeping the old girl running, but importantly making her a place of modern facilities, while preserving the historic charm,” Worssell said. “She may be small, but she is beautiful and mighty.”
The 334-seat theater also had solar panels and new air conditioning units installed to transition the building to sustainable and more efficient energy.
“We’re trying to make a long-term commitment to drive us into the next 100 years,” Saxe said. “We want in another 100 years, people looking back, saying they made good choices and the building is still standing here in 2126, producing art for New Port Richey.”
Earlier this month, the theater held a special anniversary celebration on July 1 where it featured the same movie — “The New Klondike” starring Meighan, a silent film star at the time — first shown 100 years earlier at the theater. But Saxe says the centennial celebration isn’t over.
The Broadway musical comedy, “1776,” will take the stage at the Richey Suncoast Theatre on July 16-19, followed by several other productions through the next few months, including, “The Lightning Thief,” Disney’s “Frozen Jr.,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Noises Off.” Several tribute concerts are planned as well, including ones honoring Woodstock, Bob Seger and Van Halen.
“Our goal is to have something enjoyable for everyone,” Saxe said.
Worssell says the future is bright for the Richey Suncoast Theatre — something he believes Meighan would appreciate. While Meighan was unable to attend the opening of his movie at the theater 100 years ago, he sent a congratulatory telegram and later visited in 1930.
“Thomas Meighan would be impressed with how sharp the theater is looking for 100 years old, how good the popcorn smells and how comfy the seats are,” Worssell said. “I think the modern lights, sound and air conditioning would be unbelievable, and the digital advertising screen would blow his mind, too.”
To donate to the theater’s restoration campaign, go to zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/every-legend-deserves-an-encore.