SMITHTOWN, NY — The Smithtown Performing Arts Center has unveiled a new historic-inspired marquee, marking a major milestone in the ongoing restoration of the nearly century-old downtown theater.
The marquee was officially unveiled and dedicated on September 17 by the Smithtown Performing Arts Council, with Town, County and community leaders attending the ceremony. The Town of Smithtown announced the project publicly on September 23.
The design is a modern interpretation of the theater’s original 1933 marquee, which was removed in the late 1970s. Its overall shape, scale and architectural character were modeled after the original, while updated LED technology gives the theater new ways to promote productions, concerts, educational programs and community events.
Smithtown Performing Arts Center Board President Michael Mucciolo said the goal was to restore an element of the theater that had been missing for decades while giving it a practical modern use.
“We wanted to bring the light back to Main Street by restoring a part of the theatre that had been lost for nearly 50 years,” Mucciolo said.
The nonprofit Smithtown Performing Arts Council purchased the building in 2022 and has since completed or undertaken improvements to the exterior, HVAC and plumbing systems, seating, flooring, theatrical lighting and sound. The organization has also worked to preserve original architectural features created by the Rambusch Decorating Company, including decorative lighting, moldings, glasswork and distinctive movie-scene silhouettes.
The marquee project was completed with support from a Suffolk County Jump Start grant. It includes two traffic-facing LED displays measuring approximately 10 feet wide by three feet high, providing about 60 square feet of digital display space.
The theater remains an active part of downtown Smithtown, offering live theater, children’s productions, concerts, comedy and educational programming from its location at 2 East Main Street. Town officials have also pointed to the venue as an economic anchor that draws visitors to nearby restaurants and businesses.
Restoration work at the theater is continuing, with the nonprofit focused on preserving the building while expanding its programming and maintaining the venue for future generations.