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Get To Know the Historic Crighton Theatre

Check out the Crown Jewel of Montgomery County

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Get To Know the Historic Crighton Theatre

Image courtesy Crighton Theatre

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About 45 minutes north of Downtown Houston, away from the bustling theatre district and what most in Houston consider to be the hub of theatrical activity in the Houston area sits a piece of theatrical history that has been growing and thriving for many years. The Crighton Theatre in historic downtown Conroe regularly hosts performing arts organizations andamp; performances as well as concerts of all kinds. The Theatre received the coveted “Ultimate Venue-Outside The Loop” award by the Houston Chronicle offering performances to suit all tastes in the performing arts. From the Stage Right Productions debut season, to the  Montgomery County Performing Arts Society featuring national and  international touring stars such as Marvin Hamlisch, Debbie Reynolds, and numerous others, to the highly acclaimed Sounds of Texas Music Series with past performances by legendary artists such as Guy Clark, Ricky Skaggs, The Flatlanders, and many more.

Over the last 15 years, more than 100 stage productions by the  Crighton Players and numerous professional performances by a wide array of presenting organizations have been held in the beautifully restored Crighton Theatre, to the delight of  the residents of Montgomery and the surrounding counties.

In 1999, the city of Conroe determined it was of utmost importance  that all of downtown be restored. The restoration began with all newly  bricked sidewalks and new lampposts. The Crighton Theatre would remain  the centerpiece of downtown. Building facades are being restored making  the experience of "going to the theatre" even more exciting. With your  help, you can continue the glorious history for the Crighton Theatre -  The Crown Jewel of Montgomery County. 

In restoring the Crighton Theatre to its former glory, state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems were installed. A  committee headed by Lucinda Owen and Cynthia Devlin selected the  carpeting, seats, wallpaper, and coordinated the overall interior  design. However, the original artwork presented the greatest challenge  in restoring the theatre to its original glory. Pam Boyer, Sheryl  Boroks, and Mary Beth Black, with Sundance Studios, volunteered their considerable talents and time at no charge. They took on the challenge  with a passion and developed a hand rubbed technique that produced  results even more beautiful than the original paint. All of the work was  donated or performed at cost. Except for the blue ceiling with its  twinkle lights and some changes in the lobby, the theatre was restored  to its original grandeur. 

The result was a theater representative of a Venetian Garden. The spectacular accomplishment was referred to as "The Crown Jewel of Montgomery County" by the local press. With the restoration complete, the opening "Gala Week" festivities were held. The Houston Symphony with  local singer Leslie Guinn opened the festivities on January 25, 1979. The Conroe Chorale along with the Jan Pierce Dance Studio and Bill  Wilsonand#39;s Orchestra performed on January 27. The Tidelanders, a menand#39;s  barbershop chorus, performed the night of January 28. On February 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, the first theatrical performance by the newly named Crighton Community Playhouse (formerly the Little Theater of Conroe) was presented. "The Last Meeting of the Knights of the White Magnolia", a spoof about a small Texas town, seemed appropriate.

The Crighton Theatre is located at 234 N Main St Conroe, TX 77301 and you can find them online on the Crighton Theatre Facebook page  and on the Crighton Theatre Website.  You can reach the Crighton Theatre by phone at (936) 441-7469

February 22, 2021
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