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Newtown Theatre

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The Newtown Theatre dates back to 1831. It is the oldest movie theater in the United States with it's first movie being shown in 1906. Originally built to be a hall for town gatherings and a "non sectarian" church for traveling ministers, it soon became a center of entertainment in Newtown. By the early 1850's the "Newtown Hall" (As it was then called) was used regularly for performances. These ranged from social dances to concerts, to theatrical productions, and magic lantern shows.

The theatre had Air Conditioning installed in 2002 for the Gala showing of "Signs" that was filmed in part in Newtown. The theatre now has upgraded sound with the installation of Sony SDDS and DTS, and recently updated the older optical sound system to a Red Light Reader to accommodate the newer film formats.

• At-a-
  Glance

  • Contact Info

    Newtown Theatre

    120 North State Street
    Newtown, PA 18940

    Phone: 215-968-3859   |   Official Website

  • Map

    Full map and directions

  • Parking Info

    Parking is available for free on street, and also in the borough parking lots.

  • Accessibility Services

    There is no accessibility service information available at this time.

  • Accessibility Details

    The Newtown Theatre is not Handicapped Accessible by today's standards. For those with limited mobility there are 7 steps from the front walkway to the main lobby. The buildings restroom facilities are located in the basement down 12 steps. This being said, The Newtown Theatre will happily make accommodations for any person with a disability within our power. We are able to and willing to provide assistance to those in wheelchairs by assisting those patrons into the theatre through the side emergency exit that has a ramp and involves no steps. We however are not sure that we would be able to provide the same assistance to the patron should they wish to visit the restrooms. The 12 stairs to the basement restrooms are 28" wide with a handrail located 31" above the steps. The restrooms are also of a older style design and may not be acceptable to those with disabilities.

    If with all this being known you wish to attend a function at The Newtown Theatre, all we ask is that you call us one hour before arriving at (215) 968-3859, select the box office by dialing "0" and inform us as to what help you will require, we then ask that you arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled event so all our full staff is available to assist you.

    The Newtown Theatre regrets that we have not yet been able to upgrade our facilities to better serve those with disabilities, and it is our intention to make these improvements in the future.

  • Technical Specs

    Electrical: (2) 200Amp Single Phase 120/240V Services. 1. House use (40% use year round). 2. Air Conditioning (50% Summer / 0% Winter)
    Movie Screen Size: 24 Feet 3 Inches wide by 10 Feet 9 Inches (Scope), 19 Feet wide by 10 Feet 9 Inches (Fixed flat masking in place)
    Distance From projector gate to center of the screen 56 feet, from front edge of balcony to center of the screen 40 feet (to screen in its full down stage position).
    Projector: Simplex E7 35mm
    Sound: Stereo Optical Sound, Processed with a Sony DCP-1000 Digital, Sony SDDS Penthouse with Sony DFP-D2000 Processor DTS.
    Stage: 25' Wide x 16' Deep, Proscenium Arch: 26 Ft Wide by 17 Ft Tall

    Poster size front poster cases: 27" by 40"
    7 Steps from front sidewalk to main doors
    Front main double doors 71" wide by 96" tall opening
    Double Doors from lobby to theatre 43" wide by 89" tall
    Stage 3' 6" from House floor to stage
    Side House Exit Doors 70" Tall by 56" Wide
    Maximum width of items that can come down the side alley 48"
    Maximum Height of items that can come down the side 86"
     

  • • Current Events

      There are no current events at this time.

  • • Upcoming Events

      06/21/12- 06/27/12	Lost in Yonkers Newtown Theatre Lost in Yonkers Presented by Newtown Arts Company at Newtown Theatre June 21-June 27, 2012 Winner of the 1991 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award, Neil Simon’s hit Broadway play is set in 1942 Yonkers. A desperate father works as a traveling salesman to pay off debts incurred after the death of his wife. He leaves his two young sons in the care of his stern, intimidating mother, his mentally challenged middle-aged sister, and his small-time hoodlum brother. Praised for its mixture of deep pain and indelible humor that strikes directly at the heart, this coming-of-age tale is...
      07/30/12- 08/03/12	Young People's Summer Theatre Program Newtown Theatre Young People's Summer Theatre Program Presented by Newtown Arts Company at Newtown Theatre July 30-August 3, 2012 Calling all kids! Join Newtown Arts Company for this weeklong, half-day interactive program that teaches young people ages 6 to 14 key facets of putting on a show. Explore the arts of acting, movement and music, as well as stagecrafts including basic techniques in the art of STAGE COMBAT. The program culminates in an on-stage performance by participants at the historic Newtown Theatre. Contact director Cari at 215-860-7058 for more information.
      08/09/12- 08/15/12	The Music Man Newtown Theatre The Music Man Presented by Newtown Arts Company at Newtown Theatre August 9-August 15, 2012 Book, Music and Lyrics by Meredith Willson | Based on a story by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey   Meredith Willson’s affectionate musical tribute to small-town life of a bygone era follows the exploits of a fast-talking salesman and con artist who arrives in River City, Iowa, in 1912. Planning to set up a boy’s band and abscond with the money raised for musical instruments, he is undone by a local librarian and music teacher. Marion pegs Harold Hill as a...
      10/18/12- 10/24/12	Almost, Maine Newtown Theatre Almost, Maine Presented by Newtown Arts Company at Newtown Theatre October 18-October 24, 2012 It’s nine o’clock on a mid-winter Saturday night, the northern lights hover overhead in a moonless sky, and Almost, Maine’s inhabitants find themselves falling in the out of love…almost. On one hand “not quite” but then again “nearly there,” these honest and decent souls discover the hazards of pursuing love and human connection in the lonely vastness of the Pinetree State. Join Almost’s residents in nine whimsical tales of the joys and...
      11/29/12- 12/05/12	You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown Newtown Theatre You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown Presented by Newtown Arts Company at Newtown Theatre November 29-December 5, 2012 Based on the Comic Strip "Peanuts" by Charles M. Schulz | Book, Music and Lyrics by Clark Gesner This rollicking musical comedy featuring music and lyrics by Clark Gesner and based on the characters of Charles M. Schulz is just your average day in the life of one Charlie Brown. Join the old Peanuts gang—Linus, Lucy, Schroeder and, of course, Snoopy—and watch them tackle such daily struggles as blanket obsession, true love, the musical influence of Beethoven,...

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    NOTE: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website or call the venue to verify the information.

• Current &
  Upcoming Events

  • Current Events

    There are no current events at this time.

  • Upcoming Events

    06/21/12- 06/27/12	Lost in Yonkers Newtown Theatre Lost in Yonkers Presented by Newtown Arts Company at Newtown Theatre June 21-June 27, 2012 Winner of the 1991 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award, Neil Simon’s hit Broadway play is set in 1942 Yonkers. A desperate father works as a traveling salesman to pay off debts incurred after the death of his wife. He leaves his two young sons in the care of his stern, intimidating mother, his mentally challenged middle-aged sister, and his small-time hoodlum brother. Praised for its mixture of deep pain and indelible humor that strikes directly at the heart, this coming-of-age tale is...
    07/30/12- 08/03/12	Young People's Summer Theatre Program Newtown Theatre Young People's Summer Theatre Program Presented by Newtown Arts Company at Newtown Theatre July 30-August 3, 2012 Calling all kids! Join Newtown Arts Company for this weeklong, half-day interactive program that teaches young people ages 6 to 14 key facets of putting on a show. Explore the arts of acting, movement and music, as well as stagecrafts including basic techniques in the art of STAGE COMBAT. The program culminates in an on-stage performance by participants at the historic Newtown Theatre. Contact director Cari at 215-860-7058 for more information.
    08/09/12- 08/15/12	The Music Man Newtown Theatre The Music Man Presented by Newtown Arts Company at Newtown Theatre August 9-August 15, 2012 Book, Music and Lyrics by Meredith Willson | Based on a story by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey   Meredith Willson’s affectionate musical tribute to small-town life of a bygone era follows the exploits of a fast-talking salesman and con artist who arrives in River City, Iowa, in 1912. Planning to set up a boy’s band and abscond with the money raised for musical instruments, he is undone by a local librarian and music teacher. Marion pegs Harold Hill as a...
    10/18/12- 10/24/12	Almost, Maine Newtown Theatre Almost, Maine Presented by Newtown Arts Company at Newtown Theatre October 18-October 24, 2012 It’s nine o’clock on a mid-winter Saturday night, the northern lights hover overhead in a moonless sky, and Almost, Maine’s inhabitants find themselves falling in the out of love…almost. On one hand “not quite” but then again “nearly there,” these honest and decent souls discover the hazards of pursuing love and human connection in the lonely vastness of the Pinetree State. Join Almost’s residents in nine whimsical tales of the joys and...
    11/29/12- 12/05/12	You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown Newtown Theatre You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown Presented by Newtown Arts Company at Newtown Theatre November 29-December 5, 2012 Based on the Comic Strip "Peanuts" by Charles M. Schulz | Book, Music and Lyrics by Clark Gesner This rollicking musical comedy featuring music and lyrics by Clark Gesner and based on the characters of Charles M. Schulz is just your average day in the life of one Charlie Brown. Join the old Peanuts gang—Linus, Lucy, Schroeder and, of course, Snoopy—and watch them tackle such daily struggles as blanket obsession, true love, the musical influence of Beethoven,...

• Past
  Events

  • Past Events

    05/19/12	Newtown Celtic Fest Newtown Theatre
    04/30/12- 05/04/12	2nd Annual Newtown Student Theatre Festival Newtown Theatre
    04/19/12- 04/25/12	Into the Woods Newtown Theatre
    02/09/12- 02/15/12	The Pink Panther Strikes Again! Newtown Theatre
    10/13/11- 10/19/11	Black Coffee, by Agatha Christie Newtown Theatre
    08/25/11- 08/31/11	Our Miss Brooks Newtown Theatre
    06/23/11- 06/29/11	Harvey Newtown Theatre
    05/07/11- 05/08/11	The Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni Newtown Theatre
    04/07/11- 04/13/11	All Shook Up! Newtown Theatre
    12/02/10- 12/08/10	"A Christmas Carol" Newtown Theatre