Warwick Musical Theatre

Warwick Musical Theatre
Construction
The Tent
Location	510 Quaker Lane, Warwick, Rhode Island 02818
Coordinates	41°40′54″N 71°29′47″W / 41.6817°N 71.4965°W / 41.6817; -71.4965Coordinates: 41°40′54″N 71°29′47″W / 41.6817°N 71.4965°W / 41.6817; -71.4965
Owner	The Bonoff Family
Type	Indoor
Capacity	3,300+
Opened	1955
Renovated	1967
Closed	1999
Demolished	June 2002

Warwick Musical Theatre was a musical theater located on Route 2 in Warwick, Rhode Island.

Buster Bonoff opened the theatre in 1955 on the site of an open field. Initially the theatre hosted touring Broadway shows but by the 1970s "big name" entertainers became its standard offering.

In 1967, the original tent was replaced with a 3,300 Theatre in the round that used a building from the 1964 New York World's Fair.

Demise

Facing increased competition from larger venues and the two casinos in Connecticut, Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, Warwick Musical Theatre hosted a farewell season in 1999, ending its 54th season with a concert by Vince Gill.

The founders of the theatre, Buster and Barbara Bonoff did not live long after the theatre closed. Buster died in 2000 and Barbara in 2003.

The Warwick Musical Theatre was torn down in June 2002 and a Lowe's now occupies the site.

Since its demise, the theatre has been honored by a pair of Rhode Island artists. Frank Galasso included it in two of his lithographs, Remember When... and Icons of Rhode Island Past and present. Duke Marcoccio made a commemorative ornament as a part of his series of 'My Little Town' Rhode Island landmarks.^[1]

In 2009, The Tent Life in the Round was shown in local theaters and is now available on DVD from Revolving Stage Productions.

Performances

Donna Summer

Jack Benny

Huey Lewis and the News

Bob Hope

Perry Como

Tony Bennett

Chuck Berry Andy Williams

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

Engelbert Humperdinck

Sumo wrestling(1991)

WWF (1983-1999)

Sandler and Young (1973)

Gallagher (Watermelon Smasher)

Harry Chapin

Johnny Mathis

References

↑ Patinkin, Mark (December 14, 2009). The Providence Journal. Providence, Rhode Island http://www.projo.com/lifebeat/markpatinkin/Mark13_12-13-09_NUGM39O_v18.26a4f9d.html. Retrieved December 23, 2009. Missing or empty |title= (help)

External links

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