The historic Art Deco theater has finally opened in Riverhead. The celebration was a “Back to the 30’s” Cocktail Party featuring Vince Giordano & his Nighthawks Orchestra. The marquee flashed promotions for upcoming events, the lights flickered in rhythm, jazz music blared from the speakers and huge spotlights filled the night sky.
Charlie Chaplin, Shirley Temple and Marilyn Monroe emerged from the vintage cars that lined the street in front of the theater. Red carpets, velvet ropes, doormen with flat-topped hats, and photographers with cameras flashing made every moment a true Hollywood experience. This was the street scene.
As you walked in the doors, the steamy music of Giordano’s big-band filled the air. The bars were teeming with people, the dance floor was filled. The cavernous theater was filled to capacity. Cigarette girls” in fishnet stockings and short dresses walked around selling Suffolk Theater merchandise including candy cigarettes. Paperboys handed out issues of the Suffolk Theater Times.
Bob and Dianne Castaldi did not miss a detail this evening. The color schemes and art deco accents would make Gatsby drool. All of the guests were in character; the men in tuxedos and suits, the ladies in glittery gowns, feather boas, and the very best in 1930s bling.
Champion Dancers from “Dance with Us” performed the Quickstep, the Foxtrot and others. Former NYC mayor, Fiorello H. LaGuardia made an appearance, (in reality it was the famed actor, Tony LoBianco who is currently playing LaGuardia in a one man show).
The historic landmark Suffolk Theater first opened in 1933 in the post-Prohibition, Depression era. The evening celbrated the 1930’s fantastic architecture, costume and music and food; passed hors d’oeuvres that gave a true taste for the era such as mini Chinese to-go boxes filled with spicy noodles and seaweed salad, meatballs with a marinara dip, these foods were considered exotic in the 1930s. The evening was a roaring success. The theater is gorgeous, the guests had a fabulous time, and all the little details came together to create a true time capsule of an event!
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For More Information, Please Contact:
Susan Hackett - susanh@suffolktheater.com
Lynn Aloia - Lynn@EverythingsPlanned.net
Or Call the Box Office at 631-727-4343
118 East Main Street, Riverhead, NY 11901
Photo courtesy of Diane Tucci
