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Roxy Regional Theater
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Since the early 1900’s the corner of Franklin and First has been the anchor for Clarksville’s entertainment community. The Lillian, built in 1912, was the first theatre on this corner. Following a fire in 1913, the Lillian was rebuilt and saw thousands of patrons enjoying first run movies. Upon entering the white and green enamel brick Italianate façade, patrons enjoyed a lobby sparkling with glass plate mirrors and 300 electric lights. The auditorium was furnished with 650 opera chairs, hand painted murals and a projection screen of rough Russian linen impregnated with gold, bronze and mercury amalgam. Following a fire in 1945, and with the advent of Fort Campbell, the Lillian was completely rebuilt and at last became the Roxy. A sleek exterior featuring new lighting called neon beaconed movie goers from miles around. Opening in 1947, the Roxy entertained Clarksvillians with first run movies until 1980. The Roxy sat vacant for three years until Tom Thayer and John McDonald came on the scene. Thayer a native of Clarksville and McDonald, a native of Memphis, had been searching for a building to house a Dinner-Theatre; Roxy had filled the bill. Opening on Nov. 3, 1983, The Roxy Regional Theatre was reborn into a live theatre and quickly became “…the cornerstone of downtown re-development…” For the first two years, patrons could enjoy a meal and first rate entertainment such as MACK AND MABLE, ONCE IN A LIFETIME, SUGAR, GEORGE M!, TOYS IN THE ATTIC, and numerous others. Due to large financial overhead and under capitalization, the theatre was restructured into a 501 (C) (3) non-profit organization, with a volunteer Board of Directors who not only own the building but oversee activities. Productions in those first years as a non-profit organization included the award winning FOLLIES, THE GLASS MENAGERIE and a junior company production of THE BOYFRIEND, all winners of the First Night Award for Outstanding Productions. Original works such as THE NOBLE HEART, a musical about Tennessee hero Sam Davis as well as regional premieres of CANDIDE, ASSASSINS, STARMITES and THE SECRET GARDEN were also seen. In 1995 a massive $80,000 renovation took place. A restructuring of the lobby and auditorium brings the theatre to its current state. 1995 also brought the formation of the Roxy Professional Company. In order to supply the great demand for Shakespeare, Greek Classics, school curriculum and holiday shows and to enlarge its outreach services to the community, a professional company was created to bring classics to the stage. Productions have included the American premiere of A TALE OF TWO CITIES, the Steinbeck classic OF MICE AND MEN, THE GRAPES OF WRATH, LONG DAYS JOURNEY INTO NIGHT, ANTIGONE, TRIUMPH OF LOVE, SIDE SHOW, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, the Who’s TOMMY, CHESS as well as such blockbusters as GREASE, SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN, CAROUSEL and DAMN YANKEES. Over 350 mainstage productions since 1983 ~ Over 20,000 students attend yearly ~ Over 18,000 regular patrons annually ~ 12 local artists exhibit annually ~ Numerous national and regional commercials ~ This year, which marks our 25th anniversary season, we will be presenting: GREASE, THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, A DOLL’S HOUSE, THE CHIMES, FAERY TALES, MY WAY: A TRIBUTE TO FRANK SINATRA, JULIUS CAESAR, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, SEUSSICAL, DISNEY’S THE JUNGLE BOOK, TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE, THE CHILDREN’S HOUR, AND ALL SHOOK UP! REAL THEATRE ALL THE TIME THE ROXY REGIONAL THEATRE http://www.roxyregionaltheatre.org/