The Grand Theatre

History
It's a Grand Lady...

We want her to stay that way! The Grand Theatre has a rich history in Williamstown.

Built in 1927, it has been the site of many a vaudeville show, silent movie, feature film, and now the home of The Road Company.

Owned and operated by the Lanzalotti Family until the late eighties, the theatre was purchased by local electrician Don Tucker.

Tucker spent much of his youth congregating with pals in The Grand. Actually there was even a family connection - his great aunt played the organ back in the days of the silent film and, later, his father ran the projector!

Those were the days when you could see a show and then walk right across Main Street with your date for a soda at the Fountain and Drug Store owned by Bill Woods. It's a very different picture today with the modern multiplexes housing as many as 16 big screens, refreshment stands and coffee franchises. So much had changed over the decades.

After the Lanzalotti family closed the theatre it remained empty for close to a decade until purchased by the Tuckers. Unfortunately during that time, vandalism and several break-ins resulted in significant interior damage. Curtains were dry-rotted, theatre seats were broken and birds and other small creatures now called it home. It was even rumored to have some more "spirit - like" guests.

Wanting to save a part of his childhood and its associated memories, Don Tucker and his wife Karen, purchased the theatre for the sum of $90,000. Determined to revive its earlier glory they invested almost $250,000 in cleaning and renovations.

Two years later, Julie Speeney, founder of The Road Company, walked into the theatre and fell in love. This was the perfect spot for her community theatre group founded in 1976, to present quality family entertainment to the residents of Monroe Township and surrounding areas.

Not only did this theatre have a cozy, intimate atmosphere, it had a history! Old movie posters showing silent film stars hung on the walls, the concession area walls and ceiling were made of patterned tin, and the walls in the theatre proper were cloth! There are few comparable structures in existence today - and they are very difficult to maintain. Yet these old theatres ad so much to a picturesque downtown area. Williamstown was so fortunate to have The Grand. This was built in the age when live theatre was one of the few entertainments available to the population at large.

And now, Julie had discovered the perfect place in which to bring that same live entertainment back to the people of the town.

The first show presented by The Road Company was "1776" in July of 1989. In the following decade both musicals and dramas brought in audiences from all over New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.

The Tuckers sold the theatre to a religious organization in 1999. Shortly thereafter The Road Company left the theatre to perform in the Williamstown Middle School for almost 4 years. Unfortunately the religious organization was unable to maintain the theatre and soon The Grand Old Lady was vacant once again.

However in 2004 the theatre and several surrounding properties were purchased by an investor who not only enjoyed live theatre but saw the potential of this wonderful facility to be a major part of the revitalization of downtown Willamstown.

But, once again, having been silent and dark for two years, The Grand needed a facelift. The furnace was replaced, air conditioning was installed and much needed painting and cleaning of the exterior was performed.

Even though the group lost Julie in 1999, The Road Company members were ever mindful of her dreams and goals and kept watch on The Grand. A series of discussions with the new owner resulted in an exclusive multi year lease for The Road Company and in September of 2004 we announced our homecoming with a Gala Social complete with community leaders, presentations, entertainment and the Mummers!

The Road Company invites all of those who have seen and enjoyed productions in this lovely theatre to become a part of the effort to maintain her in the 21st Century.

The Grand is back! The Road Company is home!