Centre Theatre for the Arts

110 S. Bickford Avenue,
El Reno, OK 73036

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Related Websites

Centre Theatre for the Arts (Official)

Additional Info

Architects: Jack M. Corgan

Firms: Parr & Corgan

Functions: Live Music Venue, Live Performances, Live Theatre

Styles: Streamline Moderne

Previous Names: Centre Theatre, Tiffany's Cinema, Trolley Town Music Hall, El Reno Community Theatre

Nearby Theaters

Centre Theater, El Reno, OK

Built on the site of the El Caro Theatre which was destroyed by fire in late-December 1943. The Centre Theatre was opened by El Reno Theatres on February 26, 1945 with Rita Hayworth in “Tonight and Every Night”. At opening it had a seating capacity for 750.

Contributed by Lauren Grubb

Recent comments (view all 23 comments)

MrAtomic
MrAtomic on May 1, 2010 at 10:19 am

The structural engineer checked the building out a couple of days ago. It is still sound so the restoration work should continue.

raybradley
raybradley on July 13, 2010 at 4:45 pm

Nice color shots can be seen on this interesting site …
Trolly Town Music Hall (nee-Centre), 110 S. Bickford, El Reno, OK.
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/351

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on July 13, 2010 at 5:04 pm

Nice theatre,could use a little paint.

jerlar
jerlar on July 22, 2010 at 9:40 pm

I worked at the Centre/Cinema Theatre from 1968 until 1991. Have a lot of wonderful memories of fun events and great friends during that time. From 1969 until 1991 the theatre was managed by Curtis and Geraldine Bullington, very good friends of mine. I worked in the projection booth, box office, concession booth, as well as tore tickets and janitoral work. I also worked during that same time at the old Squaw drive inn. The screen tower is still standing, and the last time I was there, the old projection booth and concession stand was still standing as well. It was definitely a wonderful time being there all those years.

Jerry Dyer

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on August 4, 2010 at 6:15 pm

Thanks Jerry,Add more stories if you can!

atmos
atmos on June 9, 2011 at 7:33 am

The Centre Theatre opened 1 December 1944.

lrostochil
lrostochil on June 10, 2011 at 11:01 am

The Centre Theater has been fully restored. Here’s a photo of what it looks like now (June 2011):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25726169@N03/5818667248/in/photostream

Lauren Durbin
Lauren Durbin on July 2, 2011 at 2:10 pm

We could probably safely change the name of this theater to Centre Theatre. Oklahoma weather can rarely be praised for encouraging historical preservation, but this is definitely an exception. The facade blowing off this old closed-down theater was probably the best thing that could have happened to it. The work done is stunning in person.

dallasmovietheaters
dallasmovietheaters on May 21, 2022 at 3:03 am

The Centre launched February 29, 1945 with “Tonight and Every Night” supported by a cartoon, a newsreel, and the short subject, “Choo-Choo Baby.”

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