TAMPA – Tampa Theatre has much to celebrate next month.
The movie palace is planning a week’s worth of events in October to kick off a year-long celebration of the iconic landmark’s centennial:
Oct. 10: Member Party
Tampa Theatre members are invited to be among the first to see the newly restored Duncan Auditorium with a special screening of the 1985 whodunnit “Clue.”
Activities and refreshments begin in the lobby at 1:30 p.m. At 2:15 p.m., President and CEO George Levesque will answer questions from the audience and share details on the work still to come, including ADA modifications to the stage, the restoration of the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ and The Peacock Room.
Attendance is limited to members and their guests. Admission is free.
Oct. 11: Public Open House
The public will have their first opportunity to tour the restoration during an open house from 1 to 5 p.m. Volunteers will be stationed throughout the building to answer questions. Staff will be leading mini-tours starting from the lobby. A new Digital Guide – accessible on patrons’ own phones and tablets – will offer historic photos and information about the landmark building’s first 100 years.
At 3 p.m., retired CEO John Bell will join George Levesque onstage for a conversation about the restoration and to answer audience questions.
Oct. 12-14: Special Screenings
Having to skip Summer Classics while the Historic Duncan Auditorium was under construction was no fun for anyone, so Tampa Theatre is showing two of the most requested, highest-attended classic films in its programmatic history as the first two films in the newly restored auditorium:
- Oct. 12: “Casablanca” (1942, 1h 42m, PG)
- Oct. 13: “The Wizard of Oz” (1939, 1h 42m, PG)
Then on Oct. 14, Big Picture is back on the big screen with the Marx Brothers’ “A Night at the Opera” (1935, 1h 36m, Not Rated).
All of the film screenings are at 7 p.m. (doors at 6 p.m.). Tickets cost $13.
Oct. 15: Tampa Theatre turns 100
On Oct. 15, 1926, Tampa Theatre opened its doors for the first time. One hundred years to the day later, the venue is throwing a birthday party, presented by Urban E Recycling, to thank the community that rescued this building 50 years ago and has supported it ever since.
The party starts on the sidewalk at 6 p.m. with live music and swing dancing with The Jazz Phools and professional portraits in front of the historic marquee (1920s-era attire is encouraged!)
Inside, guests will receive complimentary champagne and a souvenir program similar to the opening night original from 1926. Limited-edition centennial merchandise will be available.
The program begins at 7 p.m. with comments from theater officers and Tampa’s mayor.
Then, the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra and Tampa Theatre’s own Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ will present the 1924 silent comedy “Sherlock Jr.,” starring Buster Keaton as a humble movie projectionist who dreams of being a great detective.
The evening’s finale, Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” was also part of the opening night performance in 1926 and will feature some spectacular special effects made possible by 2026 technology. Admission is $26.
Tickets for all of the Centennial Celebration events will go on sale to the public at noon Sept. 18.
Tampa Theatre’s Centennial Celebration is presented by Urban E Recycling. Additional support is provided by Amalie Oil Co., Anderson Bucklew Charitable Foundation, J.C. Newman Cigar Co., QC, Redstone Commercial LLC, Wolfe & Rochelle CPAs LLC, Smith & Associates Real Estate and the City of Tampa.
