Michael
Minasi
The Crighton Theatre, which is celebrating its 80th
anniversary,
is pictured on Saturday off of Main Street in downtown
Conroe.
While 1934 is
etched into the cornerstone of the Crighton Theatre in Downtown
Conroe, it wasn’t until Nov. 26, 1935 that it hosted its first
show, opening the venue to 80 years of entertainment on Main
Street. |
The opening night featured Pat O’Brien in “Stars over Broadway.”
Contrary to popular belief, the Crighton was never a vaudeville
venue, but a movie theater. |
Going back through the tales on the timeline of the “The Crown
Jewel of Montgomery County,” its story will tell you about
Conroe Mayor Harry Crighton, who discovered oil on his property,
went into the business and decided he wanted to give back to the
community with a grand gift. |
Back then, going to a show may have been a little more
challenging than loading up a minivan with a bundle of joy and a
six-year-old’s birthday party to see the latest Disney movie, a
third time, with tickets reserved online. |
Crighton Theatre Executive Director Jim Bingham said films were
only nationally produced with five to six traveling master
copies. |
“If you didn’t see it that weekend,” Bingham said. “You didn’t
see it.” |
Bingham said the mayor’s gift gave the people an option to see
the show right in Downtown Conroe, instead of having to travel
all the way to Houston. Plus, he said at the time the 600-seat
venue meant most of the town with a population of about 1,200,
“if you count a few cows,” could see it in one weekend. |
Then, the modern multiplex came to town. The theatre couldn’t
compete and closed its doors in the mid-1960s. |
When the lights went out, the pigeons moved in. After nearly a
decade, the passing days took its damaging toll. |
In 1976, Frank and Hallie Crighton Guthrie and their financial
administrator Chuck Stealey approached Chamber of Commerce
President Bruce Scott to present the idea of donating the
theatre to the county. |
It was in bad shape—with the once elegant tile broken and an
orchestra pit filled with water. But architect Harry Devlin and
the community stepped in. |
The city and local businesses raised thousands of dollars’ worth
of funds to restore and rejuvenate the Crighton Theatre to its
glory with at least one major change — no movies. |
Instead, the cornerstone provided a live stage for the
performing arts. There have been hundreds of productions and
concerts throughout the years since, including Vince Gill, who
Bingham said complimented the acoustics. |
Over time and with the help of theatre designer, David Nibbin,
committees, and the establishment of the foundation — the
Crighton would become a centerpiece to downtown. |
While the modern performances keep tourists coming to the
theatre, as well as to local restaurants and other businesses,
Bingham said the theatre also reminds local visitors of the
past. |
“Loving thoughtfulness resides within these walls,” Bingham
said. “Buildings like this tell time for a community. It marks
time.” |
He said the theater was one of the first air-chilled buildings
by blowing fans on a block of ice to keep the attendees cool.
Others remember their honeymoon, high school classmates, and
taking a break from the lake to see the show somewhere cool and
dry. |
The Crighton Theatre doesn’t have an anniversary show planned to
celebrate 80 years at this time, but Bingham said there will be
a fundraising event soon to help raise funds for the theater’s
next remodeling project. |
He said maintaining the theatre is expensive, explaining the
recent purchase for $81,000 lights and the courtesy of an
electrical company that donated thousands of dollars’ worth of
its time. |
Fortunately, the theatre is receiving a grant from the city of
Conroe, who has supported the theatre throughout its history.
Bingham said the funds will aid the plans to triple the lobby
size, including the addition of bathrooms, and expand the
atrium. |
Although donations are needed and nice, he said one of the best
ways the community can continue to support the theatre is by
coming to see the shows. |
“That’s what it’s all about,” Bingham said. “We do all of this
to entertain the patrons.” |
The theater is home to Stage Right Productions, the Montgomery
County Performing Arts Society, and the Sounds of Texas Music
Series. |
This coming Friday will be the start of Stage Right’s “Christmas
Belles,” a comedy that will play for three weekends, Dec. 4-20,
at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays.
Tickets range from $15 to $20. |
“It’s a unique show in that in a bit of circumstance the
Crighton was going to be closed and dark over Christmas,”
Bingham said. “That’s how Stage Right was formed — (the group
said it) couldn’t stand the thought of it being closed over
Christmas season.” |