If you’ve ever visited Westerly, RI, you know the downtown area is full of history and culture. Westerly has numerous spots to explore, from Wilcox Park to the Granite Theatre, helping you get to know the region and its past.
A new addition to downtown Westerly is The United Theatre, an ambitious performing arts venue that opened in July 2021. The facility sits on the same site as a historic vaudeville venue of the same name, adding contemporary elements to a classic building and aiming to unite the arts under one roof.
There’s a lot you should know about The United Theatre before your first visit. Here’s a look at the facility’s past and present, along with some information on the shows you can expect to find there.
A Brief History
The original version of The United Theatre opened in 1926. It was a popular spot for live performances in its early days and was highlighted by a large marquee above its front doors.
That marquee blew off and was damaged during the Great New England Hurricane of 1938, and the venue would eventually become a cinema sometime after the 1950s. It remained a movie theatre until 1986, when it closed its doors, seemingly for good.
However, in 2015, a group of locals formed a board with the purpose of creating a new performing arts venue on the site of The United Theatre and the neighboring Montgomery Ward Building. This facility would host performances and shows for all the arts, bringing theatre, cinema, music, and comedy together at a single location.
In 2019, after multiple years of planning, consulting, and designing, the building’s renovation started. It took two years, but the venue finally re-opened to the public on July 9, 2021, and has attracted thousands of people through its doors ever since.
Today, the building has revitalized Canal Street and turned this small section of downtown into the place to be while in Westerly. They’ve even reconstructed the marquee, providing an old-school appearance and feel as you approach the building to check out a show.
The Current Configuration
The original United Theatre was a small venue with fixed seating. It had a small balcony at the back of the room but didn’t have much space for larger shows.
Today, things are far more flexible, as it features multiple rooms depending on the size of the show. The main auditorium has 600 seats and is used for dance, opera, live music, and theatre presentations. Most live performances take place in this space.
The building also has three cinemas for the various movies it hosts. The main cinema has 76 seats, and there’s also a 100-seat balcony cinema for larger shows. The micro-cinema has only 24 seats and is likely one of the most intimate places you’ll ever watch a film screening.
Other rooms at The United Theatre include a gallery space, a music school, and the Washington County Bureau of the Public’s Radio studios. There’s an attached restaurant called The Cafe, too, where you can grab a meal or a quick drink before or after attending a show.
Shows You’ll Find There
The United Theatre is currently predominantly used as a cinema, as films play nearly every day of the year in various rooms. However, live performances remain a regularity, with plays, live music, and comedy shows appearing weekly.
Keep an eye on the venue’s calendar of events for information on the shows you can attend during your South County vacation. You never know; one of your favorite performers could appear at this small facility during your time in the area, making your vacation that much more memorable.
Buying Tickets to The United Theatre
You can purchase tickets to any live event at The United Theatre through their official website. Prices range based on the performer but typically come in at under $40, a bargain for a show at a small venue.
Cinema tickets are also available online and cost $13.50 for adults and $9.50 for seniors, children, and students. The prices are the same at all three theaters.
Downtown Westerly is a short drive from vacation rentals in Watch Hill, Misquamicut, and Weekapaug, making it an ideal spot for dinner and a show during your South County vacation. Have a look at the current schedule to see if anything catches your eye.