Community Theatre Memories

We're celebrating our 15th anniversary as a performing arts center this year, and The Community Theatre itself has been around since 1937.

So many people have so many stories to tell; and we hope you will share yours with us. Throughout the season, we will post your Community Theatre memories on our website for all to enjoy.

If you are interested in sending in your story, please email edk@mayoarts.org and put CT Memories in the subject header

Your Stories...

One of my earliest memories of the Community Theatre was back in 1982 – just as the place was really starting to fall into disrepair. I was 11 or 12 and my parents were starting to loosen the reins to allow me to see movies in town with friends.

I went to see Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid starring Steve Martin, with my pal Heyward McAlpin. It was an ironic choice because the movie was in black and white, which allowed scenes from old movies to be cut into this film, and so Steve Martin spends half of the movie talking and interacting with stars like Veronica Lake, Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Cary Grant and Bette Davis. These were the stars of the “Golden Age of Hollywood” in the 30’s and 40’s when the Theatre was still an important part of Walter Reade’s chain of movie houses.

It is a great movie, but I will always remember one scene that induced uncontrollable laughter from Heyward – where Steve Martin’s character, Rigby Reardon, gives away an adorable puppy to a woman in an office that he is leaving. He then turns to another woman in the same office and hands her a handkerchief full of the puppy’s “business”. Obviously, the woman was horrified and Martin’s character just walks out. I can still hear Heyward belly-laughing well into the next couple of scenes.

I am sure that I was at the Theatre before and after seeing Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid, but that is one of my favorite memories from growing up in Morristown.

Ben MacInnes, Development Director, The Community Theatre

* * *

Back in the 80's, I had a first date there to see a movie.  We saw First Blood...no wonder the relationship didn't last.  Later on, a few of us went to see EStreet Band or Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes (I don't remember which), who were billed with a "surprise guest".  The guest at the end of that show was none other than Bruce Springsteen, who played a great set in that theater!  

…One special show will always stand out for me.  My most cherished memory from there will always be hearing our daughter, then a freshman with Morristown High School's exclusive Chorale Group, sing onstage with Judy Collins at her Christmas Concert.  It was pure magic.

We are so thrilled to have the Community Theater alive and well again and such a vibrant part of Morristown.

* * *

The date was August 14th, 1945, my 10th birthday. My special treat was to go to the Community Theatre to see "Meet Me in St. Louis" with my cousin and older sister. We were thrilled to see Judy Garland  perform in this great movie. 

When it ended we heard a lot of noise out on the street.  As the doors opened onto South Street we couldn't believe what we saw and heard. There were people walking in the street singing, crying and yelling. Cars were honking their horns. Some people were banging pots and pans screaming THE WAR IS OVER.

It was an experience of a lifetime. 

Joan (McDonnell) Sambrowski, Morris Plains

For the past 3 years, my family and friends have been attending the Colin and Brad shows... 

…Our bellies hurt from laughing so hard.  The last time we attended, we decided to go to the backstage door and see if they would come out.  We anxiously waited, wondering if they would show up. 

We were on cloud nine.  The best part of meeting someone famous is finding out that they are as nice as you would hope they would be.  They took photos with us, gave us autographs and allowed my Mother to hug them repeatedly. As Colin and Brad drove by, their driver honked his horn at us and waved.  We went crazy!

We have such great memories of meeting our comedienne friends.  We love the theater and can't wait to see Whose Live Anyway with our Ryan Stiles and friends!

Thanks for such great affordable shows.
 Chris Sirica

* * *

I remember going to The Community Theater when I was in grammar school with my schoolmates back in 1952.   We all  used to meet on the corners and walk up to the theater. We saw 3 Coins in the Fountain,  Pillow Talk and many more of Doris Day and Rock Hudson Movies.

I also appeared on stage in 1952 and 1953 as a dancer with my sister. What a wonderful experience that was.  Later in life in the early 60's, my husband and I went to see Dr. Zhavago. 

My children have all seen movies at the Community Theater and most recently, my grandchildren have gone to see many concerts there.

I now enjoy going there for all my favorites -  Engelbert Humperdinck, Paul Anka, Frankie Vali and many more.  I will always continue to see as many shows as possible.  There is no better place to be than at The Community Theater.

Thank you very much for all the renovations you have done to keep this theater alive.

Mary Ann Neggers

* * *

My father, George Dabinett , was born and raised in Morristown and retired to Florida some years ago.  He recalls that when the theatre first opened in 1939, people would arrive at the theatre in the evening in tuxedos and evening dresses.  Valet parking was provided and the cars were parked behind the stores on South Street via Elm Street.  There were ushers in uniforms.   It was the most expensive theatre in town charging 55 cents when the other theatres in town would charge 29 cents.  In 1941 he and a friend ran a gasoline service station on Madison Street.  They knew Bernie, the manager of the Community.  In 1941 stamps were required to purchase gasoline, but they would sell Bernie gas without the stamps in exchange for tickets to the movies. 

My early memories of the theatre were the summertime movies for children.  In the late 1950s at the end of the school year, we could purchase a series of tickets to go to the movies once a week in the afternoon to see the cliffhangers.  The entire gang of kids from the neighborhood would walk up to town to the Community Theatre.  As a child, the lobby seemed huge with the grand staircase going up to the balcony.   We would look over the candy counter and decide on a treat, and then pile into the theatre.  There were always cartoons first.  I don't recall any of the specific movies, but I recall everyone loudly cheering for the good guys and hissing and booing the villains.  The young audience was very interactive with the movie.  The ushers would wander through during the movie with their flashlights, shining it on anyone that dared put their feet up on the seat in front of them. 

Barbara Dabinett

* * *

As a student at The Peck School in the 1960s and ‘70s, my friends and I regularly attended movies at The Community Theatre. We’d frequently hit the nearby Sugar Pine Country Store on South Street for candy before or after the show…

The first time I put my arm around a “date” was in the Theatre. Her name was Lynn Hobbs and we were in about 3rd Grade. I think I used the old stretch-the-arm-to-check-the-wristwatch technique…

Seeing Dave Brubeck and his sons perform on stage in about 1973 and feeling completely turned on to jazz. And then attending a Dave Brubeck performance with my wife at the Theatre more than thirty years later…

Being almost afraid to walk too close by the Theatre during its darkest, most dilapidated days. There were rumors that vicious guard dogs were on the loose inside...

Now, a generation later, seeing the glee in my own children’s eyes as they attend performances at the Theatre… And being able to participate with the fine staff and Trustees in taking the Theatre to the next level. It’s a lot of fun to be part of it.

Jefferson Kirby