Oakdale Theatre

Toyota Oakdale Theatre
The Oakdale

Exterior of venue (c.2016)
Full name Toyota presents the Oakdale Theatre, powered by Xfinity
Former names Oakdale Musical Theatre (1954-87)
Oakdale Theatre (1988-96)
SNET Oakdale Theatre (1996-2000)
ctnow.com Oakdale Theatre (2000-02)
careerbuilder.com Oakdale Theatre (2002-05)
Chevrolet Theatre(2005-09)
Address 95 South Turnpike Rd
Wallingford, CT 06492-4326
Owner Live Nation Connecticut
Capacity 4,803 (Main auditorium)
1,649 (The Dome)
Construction
Opened June 21, 1954 (1954-06-21)
Renovated 1961, 1972, 1994-96
Construction cost 150,000
($1.32 million in 2016 dollars[1])
Website
Venue Website
Oakdale Theatre
General information
Renovated July 7, 1996
Renovation cost $21 million
($33.5 million in 2016 dollars[1])
Renovating team
Architect Rothman, Rothman & Heineman Architects
Main contractor Klewin Construction

The Toyota Oakdale Theatre (originally known as the Oakdale Musical Theatre) is a muti-purpose performance venue, located in Wallingford, Connecticut. Opening in 1954, the venue consists of an auditorium and domed theatre, known as The Dome at Oakdale.

History

The music venue was founded by Ben Segal in 1954.[2] At this time, the theatre was an open-air, theatre in the round venue seating 1,400. It was located in an alfalfa field near the Oakdale Tavern. The theatre opened in June 1954 and was used primarily for summer stock and thus the venue only operated seasonally. During its inaugural season, the theatre hosted many famous plays including: Kiss Me, Kate, South Pacific and Oklahoma!.

In 1962, Segal purchased the nearby tavern for $600,000.[2] During this time, he also made slight modifications to the venue to make the experience better for the consumer. With the new features, the theatre also become a concert venue. The Oakdale became a regular concert venue when many acts also played the Westbury Music Fair. Act included: Tom Jones, Paul Anka, Led Zeppelin, The Who and The Doors.[3]

In 1972, a wooden dome was erected to replace the tent and the capacity doubled to 3,200.[2] The 70s drew in more concerts but also boxing and other sporting events as well. By the 1980s, the allure of the venue began to flicker. Despite its wooded dome, the venue continued to operate seasonally. With the theatre in the round buzz going out of style, the venue began to suffer financially. In 1989, Segal sold the venue to Robert Errato, who later created the Oakdale Development Limited Partnership.

Initially, Errato wanted to take the property and convert it into condominiums with office/retail space.[2] After the community protested the change, (stating the theatre was considered a landmark to its residents) Errato abandoned his plans. Later, he went to the city council and proposed an $80 million plan to improve the theatre but also used the acreage to include an office park and retail shops. Once again, the community were against his plans, stating the changes would bring unnecessary traffic and the changes would ruin the "country" setting of the town.

In 1994, Errato was eventually able to push forward with plans to renovate the theatre. The $21 million renovation included removing the central stage and giving the venue an auditorium-style seating.[2] This meant the venue would erect a new building, while the wooded dome would be gutted and converted into a grand lobby. The new theater (and new name) debuted July 7, 1996, with a concert by Brooks & Dunn. In 1997, concert began to play in the former wooded dome, which gave birth to "The Dome at Oakdale". In 1998, SFX Entertainment purchased operating rights for $12 million.[4]

Naming changes

Legal disputes

In 1998, the owners were served a cease-and-desist letter by the Town of Wallingford. In 1989, the venue was given a permit stating there could not be any double performances during the work-week. Famed illusionist David Copperfield was booked for a Wednesday and Thursday performance. The case was taken to the New Haven Superior Court and ruled in favor of Wallingford.

In 2002, owner Robert Errato sued operator Clear Channel Entertainment.[8] Errato claimed Clear Channel served him with a termination letter and was no longer allowed on the property. Clear Channel claimed Errato violated several contract terms, including planning building inspections without consulting Clear Channel. From the case, Clear Channel purchased the venue and the property.

In December 2014, Town Planner Kacie Costello issued the venue another cease-and-desist letter, this time over noise ordinance.[9] According to the letter, The Dome at Oakland was listed as a lobby/reception area and not a performing arts venue. The noise from concerts in the Dome received several complaints from the neighboring homes. Many residents felt the "landmark" would close down. A Facebook campaign was created and many residents took to the streets to protest.

Despite the letter, Live Nation stated they will continue to book concerts in the auditorium and dome.[10] In May 2015, the Town of Wallingford decided to lift the order however the theatre still had to adhere to several ordinances regarding the noise issue.[11] Jim Koplik, president of Live Nation Connecticut requested a state grant for $1.2 million to add soundproofing to the Dome.[12] However, the State requested Koplik issues a 10-percent fee to all tickets sold. Koplik withdrew his request from funding stating it would be unfair to add the admissions tax.

References

  1. 1 2 "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Vo, Eric (February 5, 2015). "Throwback Thursday: A look back at the Oakdale’s history in Wallingford". Record-Journal. Record-Journal Publishing Company. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  3. ↑ "The Story of the Oakdale Makes Great Theater". Connecticut History. Connecticut Humanities. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  4. ↑ Catlin, Roger; Rizzo, Frank (May 6, 1998). "Entertainment Giant Buys Oakdale". Hartford Courant. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  5. ↑ Melvin, Mary Kay (October 28, 1996). "Oakdale Theatre has more flexibility. (SNET Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, Connecticut)". Amusement Business (BPI Communications, Inc.). Retrieved March 20, 2016. (subscription required (help)).
  6. ↑ Catlin, Roger (July 11, 2000). "New Deal, New Names For Concert Sites". Hartford Courant. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Toyota And Live Nation Partner For CT Theatre" (Press release). Hartford, Connecticut. CelebrityAccess MediaWire. December 14, 2009. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  8. ↑ Harris, Chris (June 20, 2002). "Oakdale landlord wants Clear Channel to clear out.". Hartford Advocate. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  9. ↑ Vo, Eric (May 15, 2015). "Live Nation threatens closure of Oakdale in Wallingford". Record-Journal. Record-Journal Publishing Company. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  10. ↑ Newton, Jason (May 28, 2015). "Oakdale to remain open amid cease & desist order". WTNH. Media General. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  11. ↑ Moran, David (July 13, 2015). "Wallingford Lifts Cease And Desist Order Against Oakdale". Hartford Courant. Tribune Media. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  12. ↑ Ragali, Andrew (March 24, 2016). "Koplik withdraws request for $1.2 million from state for Oakdale soundproofing". Record-Journal. Record-Journal Publishing Company. Retrieved March 20, 2016.

Coordinates: 41°26′59″N 72°50′43″W / 41.449837°N 72.845335°W / 41.449837; -72.845335

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