Toyota Oakdale Theatre

{{Use American English|date=August 2025}} {{Infobox venue | name = Oakdale Theatre | nickname = | fullname = Toyota presents the Oakdale Theatre, powered by Xfinity | former_names = Oakdale Musical Theatre {{small|(1954-87)}} Oakdale Theatre {{small|(1988-96)}} SNET Oakdale Theatre {{small|(1996-2000)}} ctnow.com Oakdale Theatre {{small|(2000-02)}} careerbuilder.com Oakdale Theatre {{small|(2002-05)}} Chevrolet Theatre {{small|(2005-09)}} | logo_image = | logo_caption = | image = | image_size = | image_alt = | caption = Exterior of venue (c.2016) | address = 95 South Turnpike Road [[Wallingford, Connecticut|Wallingford]], [[Connecticut|CT]] 06492-4326 | location = | coordinates =  | type = | event = | broke_ground = | built = | opened = {{Start date|1954|06|21}} | renovated = {{hlist|1961|1972|1994-96}} | expanded = | closed = | demolished = | owner = [[Live Nation (events promoter)|Live Nation Connecticut]] | operator = | surface = | scoreboard = | production = | cost = $150,000 {{small|(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|150000|1954}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}})}} | architect = | project_manager = | structural_engineer = | services_engineer = | general_contractor = | main_contractors = | seating_type = | capacity = 4,803 {{small|(Main auditorium)}} 1,649 {{small|(The Dome)}} | suites = | record_attendance = | dimensions = | field_shape = | acreage = | volume = | tenants = | embedded = {{Infobox building | embed = yes | renovation_date = July 7, 1996 | ren_cost = $21 million {{small|(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|21000000|1994}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}})}} | ren_architect = Rothman, Rothman & Heineman Architects | mapframe = no | ren_contractor = Klewin Construction }} | website = {{URL|http://www.oakdale.com/|Venue Website}} | public_transit = }} The '''Toyota Oakdale Theatre''' (originally known as the '''Oakdale Musical Theatre''') is a multi-purpose performance venue, located in [[Wallingford, Connecticut]]. Opened in 1954, the venue consists of an auditorium and domed theatre, known as '''The Dome at Oakdale'''.

==History== The music venue was founded by Ben Segal in 1954.<ref name="founding">{{cite web |url=http://www.myrecordjournal.com/wallingford/wallingfordnews/6860594-129/throwback-thursday-a-look-back-at-the-oakdales-history-in.html |title=Throwback Thursday: A look back at the Oakdale's history in Wallingford |last1=Vo |first1=Eric |date=February 5, 2015 |website=[[Record-Journal]] |publisher=Record-Journal Publishing Company |access-date=March 20, 2016}}</ref> At this time, the theatre was an [[Open-air concert|open-air]] theatre in the round venue seating 1,400. It was located in an alfalfa field near the Oakdale Tavern. The theatre opened in June 1954 and was used primarily for [[Summer stock theatre|summer stock]] and thus the venue only operated seasonally. During its inaugural season, the theatre hosted many famous plays including: ''[[Kiss Me, Kate]]'', ''[[South Pacific (musical)|South Pacific]]'' and ''[[Oklahoma!]]''.

In 1962, Segal purchased the nearby tavern for $600,000.<ref name="founding"/> During this time, he also made slight modifications to the venue to make the experience better for the consumer. With the new features, the theatre also become a concert venue. The Oakdale became a regular concert venue when many acts also played the [[NYCB Theatre at Westbury|Westbury Music Fair]]. Act included: [[Tom Jones (singer)|Tom Jones]], [[Paul Anka]], [[Led Zeppelin]], [[The Who]] and [[The Doors]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://connecticuthistory.org/the-story-of-the-oakdale-makes-great-theater/ |title=The Story of the Oakdale Makes Great Theater |author= |website=Connecticut History |publisher=Connecticut Humanities |access-date=March 16, 2016}}</ref>

In 1972, a wooden dome was erected to replace the tent and the capacity doubled to 3,200.<ref name="founding"/> The 70s drew in more concerts, as well as boxing and other sporting events. By the 1980s, the allure of the venue began to flicker. Despite its wooded dome, the venue continued to operate seasonally. With the theatre in the round buzz going out of style, the venue began to suffer financially. In 1989, Segal sold the venue to Robert Errato, who later created the Oakdale Development Limited Partnership.

Initially, Errato wanted to take the property and convert it into condominiums with office/retail space.<ref name="founding"/> After the community protested the change, (stating the theatre was considered a landmark to its residents) Errato abandoned his plans. Later, he went to the city council and proposed an $80 million plan to improve the theatre, but also used the acreage to include an office park and retail shops. Once again, the community were against his plans, stating the changes would bring unnecessary traffic and the changes would ruin the "country" setting of the town.

In 1994, Errato was eventually able to push forward with plans to renovate the theatre. The $21 million renovation included removing the central stage and giving the venue an auditorium-style seating.<ref name="founding"/> This meant the venue would erect a new building, while the wooded dome would be gutted and converted into a grand lobby. The new theater (and new name) debuted July 7, 1996, with a concert by [[Brooks & Dunn]]. In 1997, concerts began to take place in the former wooded dome, which gave birth to "The Dome at Oakdale". In 1998, SFX Entertainment purchased operating rights for $12 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.courant.com/1998/05/06/entertainment-giant-buys-oakdale/ |title=Entertainment Giant Buys Oakdale |last1=Catlin |first1=Roger |last2=Rizzo |first2=Frank |date=May 6, 1998 |website=Hartford Courant |publisher=Tribune Publishing |access-date=March 20, 2016}}</ref>

===Naming changes=== *'''Oakdale Musical Theatre''' {{small|(June 21, 1954—December 16, 1989)}} *'''Oakdale Theatre''' {{small|(December 17, 1989—July 6, 1996)}} *'''SNET Oakdale Theatre''' {{small|(July 7, 1996—July 10, 2000)}}<ref>{{cite journal |last=Melvin |first=Mary Kay |date=October 28, 1996 |title=Oakdale Theatre has more flexibility. (SNET Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, Connecticut) |url=https://business.highbeam.com/53/article-1G1-18816245/oakdale-theatre-has-more-flexibility|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411111840/https://business.highbeam.com/53/article-1G1-18816245/oakdale-theatre-has-more-flexibility|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 11, 2016|url-access=subscription |journal=Amusement Business |publisher=BPI Communications, Inc. |access-date=March 20, 2016}}</ref> *'''ctnow.com Oakdale Theatre''' {{small|(July 11, 2000—May 2, 2002)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.courant.com/2000/07/11/new-deal-new-names-for-concert-sites/ |title=New Deal, New Names For Concert Sites |last1=Catlin |first1=Roger |date=July 11, 2000 |website=[[Hartford Courant]] |publisher=[[Tribune Publishing]] |access-date=March 20, 2016}}</ref> *'''careerbuilder.com Oakdale Theatre''' {{small|(May 3, 2002—July 10, 2005)}} *'''Chevrolet Theatre''' {{small|(July 11, 2005—December 12, 2009)}} *'''Toyota Oakdale Theatre''' {{small|(December 13, 2009—present)}}<ref>{{cite press release |author= |title=Toyota And Live Nation Partner For CT Theatre|url=http://encore.celebrityaccess.com/?encoreId=226&articleId=33391 |location=[[Hartford, Connecticut]] |agency=CelebrityAccess MediaWire |date=December 14, 2009 |access-date=March 16, 2016}}</ref>

==Legal disputes== In 1998, the owners were served a cease-and-desist letter by the Town of Wallingford. In 1989, the venue was given a permit stating there could not be any double performances during the work-week. Famed illusionist [[David Copperfield (illusionist)|David Copperfield]] was booked for a Wednesday and Thursday performance. The case was taken to the [[New Haven County, Connecticut|New Haven Superior Court]] and ruled in favor of Wallingford.

In 2002, owner Robert Errato sued operator Clear Channel Entertainment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ctradio.freeservers.com/archives/oakdale.htm |title=Oakdale landlord wants Clear Channel to clear out. |last1=Harris |first1=Chris |date=June 20, 2002 |website=[[CTNow#Hartford Advocate|Hartford Advocate]] |access-date=March 20, 2016}}</ref> Errato claimed Clear Channel served him with a termination letter and was no longer allowed on the property. Clear Channel claimed Errato violated several contract terms, including planning building inspections without consulting Clear Channel. From the case, Clear Channel purchased the venue and the property.

In December 2014, Town Planner Kacie Costello issued the venue another cease-and-desist letter, this time over noise ordinance.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.myrecordjournal.com/wallingford/wallingfordnews/7271798-129/live-nation-threatens-closure-of-oakdale-in-wallingford.html |title=Live Nation threatens closure of Oakdale in Wallingford |last1=Vo |first1=Eric |date=May 15, 2015 |website=Record-Journal |publisher=Record-Journal Publishing Company |access-date=March 27, 2016}}</ref> According to the letter, The Dome at Oakdale was listed as a lobby/reception area and not a performing arts venue. The noise from concerts in the Dome received several complaints from the neighboring homes. Many residents felt the "landmark" would close down. A [[Facebook]] campaign was created and many residents took to the streets to protest.

Despite the letter, Live Nation stated they will continue to book concerts in the auditorium and dome.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wtnh.com/2015/05/28/oakdale-to-remain-open-amid-cease-desist-order/ |title=Oakdale to remain open amid cease & desist order |last1=Newton |first1=Jason |date=May 28, 2015 |website=[[WTNH]] |publisher=[[Media General]] |access-date=March 27, 2016}}</ref> In May 2015, the Town of Wallingford decided to lift the order however the theatre still had to adhere to several ordinances regarding the noise issue.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-wallingford-oakdale-noise-hearing-0714-20150713-story.html |title=Wallingford Lifts Cease And Desist Order Against Oakdale |last1=Moran |first1=David |date=July 13, 2015 |website=Hartford Courant |publisher=Tribune Media |access-date=March 27, 2016}}</ref> Jim Koplik, president of Live Nation Connecticut requested a state grant for $1.2 million to add soundproofing to the Dome.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.myrecordjournal.com/wallingford/wallingfordnews/8626431-129/koplik-withdraws-request-for-12-million-from-state-for-oakdale.html |title=Koplik withdraws request for $1.2 million from state for Oakdale soundproofing |last1=Ragali |first1=Andrew |date=March 24, 2016 |website=Record-Journal |publisher=Record-Journal Publishing Company |access-date=March 20, 2016}}</ref> However, the State requested Koplik issues a 10-percent fee to all tickets sold. Koplik withdrew his request from funding stating it would be unfair to add the admissions tax.

==See also== * [[House of Blues]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

[[Category:Music venues in Connecticut]] [[Category:Theatres in Connecticut]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Wallingford, Connecticut]] [[Category:Live Nation Entertainment]] [[Category:Tourist attractions in New Haven County, Connecticut]]