Quietly hidden in the center of town, Bainbridge beckons visitors to come and experience a memorable performance at its vintage Town Hall Theatre on North Main Street. The theatre would be hard to recognize from the street, except for the simple theatre sign erected as a local Eagle Scout project some years ago and the small marquee advertising the next show.
The Town Hall Theatre is a unique 1910 vintage theatre on the second and third floors of the Main Street Town Hall building, and has been carefully and patiently restored to its original look. The theatre itself is something to experience – 250 seats, an upper balcony, beautiful restored tin ceiling, and tall columns that frame the wooden stage.
Coming to the Town Hall Theatre in Bainbridge is like meeting with an old friend for an intimate conversation. The wood floors creak as you walk up the steep stairs to the auditorium on the second floor. On a performance night, the smell of popcorn is in the air, and the sharp scuffle of chairs sliding under tables blends with the sound of auditorium seats opening and snapping closed.
People in the community treasure the theatre, and an active Jericho Arts Council brings entertainment to the theatre all year, inviting visitors and community members alike to enjoy some entertainment while relishing the theatre’s rich heritage and architectural beauty. The Arts Council was formed in 1976 to restore the theatre from years of neglect, and restoration was completed at the end of 2009. Now the Jericho Arts Council is the steward of the Town Hall Theatre, and the group hosts a range of performances in the theatre appealing to young and old.
The theatre is used for more than just musical performances. The Bainbridge Rotary Club sponsors the annual Christmas movie night, erecting a large screen for grand viewing of a classic holiday movie, complete with all the treats. Rotarians dress in character to greet children who attend after the village’s Christmas parade. Also, the Out of the Woodwork players, an amateur theater group, makes this space their home and performs live theater is a few key performances during the year. Art gallery space is used to feature local artist shows in conjunction with performances. The annual Fine Arts Show takes place each spring in the main part of the theatre and showcases artists from all over the northeast.
Go to the group’s web pages for the theatre schedule, details about the Christmas movie night or the Out of the Woodwork Players show information.