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Designed by Flavio P. Gross of Paterson, NJ, the Crescent Theater, a.k.a. the Sussex Community Center,  Sussex New Jersey, was constructed in 1917. At the time it was owned by Dexter and Eva Goble, residents of Sussex Borough. The theater seems to bridge two historic contexts in the development of Sussex County and the Boro of Sussex:  the end of the period, 1850-1920, which encompasses the move toward a commercial society, while at the same time remaining an  agricultural community and the recognition of  urban expansion through an amalgam of urban bigness.  All of these contexts lead to the appearance of a more metropolitan/cosmopolitan culture that invited the outside world in through the medium of film and real involvement in larger events--World War I. Originally built for the purpose of showing silent films, presenting live vaudeville, and serving as a place for community meetings and graduations, the doors to the theater opened on July 24, 1917.  The first film shown was "Miss George Washington." Tickets were 25 and 50 cents.  Additional entertainment for the occasion was provided by the 14 piece Sussex Municipal Orchestra.  The pianist, who continued to play throughout the years of the "silents," was Mrs. Miles Wilson.  The theater manager was Warren Beamer, and Elise Roy handled tickets.  In March, 1918, the local paper noted that a "production of 'Princess Chrysanthemum' by the teachers and pupils of Sussex Public School" was presented.  The critic added that "The stage was like a vision of Fairyland, and displayed well the possibilities of coming town affairs under the beautiful lighting, electric, and scenic effects of this beautiful modern playhouse." Other references to the theater include many ads for films and vaudeville, and notices of town meetings concerning the selling of war bonds. [THE FIRST REVIEW!]

      In 1927 the first talking picture ever to be shown in Sussex County opened at the Crescent--"The Jazz Singer"--which not only starred Al Jolson, but featured a former Sussex Borough girl, Mae McAvoy. The theater was sold in 1929, and it was at about this time when it became the "Sussex Theater. "  The Theater underwent extensive interior remodeling in the early to mid 1930's, and added an art deco marquee to the facade (removed). The theater enjoyed several firsts, including being the first air-conditioned building in Sussex, and was the first theater in Sussex County to show films on Sunday.  School graduations were held in the theater until 1932, when a new high school was built. Two different theater chains eventually owned the Crescent--the St. Cloud Amusement Co., which also owned the theaters in Franklin, Netcong, and Newton; and the Brandt chain.

The theater began a steady decline as the borough went through difficult times in the early 70's, and was closed in 1976.  The last film to be shown was "The Ode to Billy Jo."  The theater remained closed and boarded up for a time, but was purchased by the Borough of Sussex in 1980 from its owners at the time, Marius and Suzanne Sznajderman.  The borough's plan was to again remodel the building  for use as a community and senior citizens' center.  The borough obtained a grant of over $200,000 for the purchase and renovation.

Following this alteration of the building, it was used for community purposes until fall, 2001, when it was shut again for repairs. Senior citizen activities were moved to another location, and the building was closed. During that same fall, Tri-State Actors Theater led by Artistic Director Paul Meacham and Board President Peter Nadolny, went before the Sussex Borough Council and proposed that the Crescent Theater be leased to TAT, and that Tri-State make the historic building its permanent home.  By the spring of 2002, the intricacies of the lease were  in place. 
 
  On August 8, 2002, an agreement leasing the historic theater to Tri-State for 25 years was signed by Mayor Peter Horvath, with the unanimous approval of the Sussex Borough Council made up of Kurt Brennan, Frank Dykstra, John Pierce, Patti Riposta,  Christine Sharlow, John Stendor and the Mayor. Included among those present were Mayor Horvath, Peter Nadolny, TAT Board President, Howard Burrell, Sussex County Freeholder, Paul Meacham,  Artistic Director of TAT, and Borough Council persons and TAT Board members and staff. The Crescent theater is now the new home for Sussex County and the tri-state area's foremost regional non-profit professional theater company.  As the Crescent is rehabilitated into a working theater, it will breathe with new life as the home of Tri-State Actors Theater, and will return to its original purpose as a center for community and regional entertainment.

Today, as we begin our seventh season in this venerable space, the Crescent Theater is alive and well as Tri-State Actors Theater presents the best in  regional professional theater to its growing audiences.  Its first main stage production, (2003)TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD brought not only sold-out student audiences to our new home, but 100's of new and old patrons who saw the best in professional theater, and ALWAYS . . . PATSY CLINE played to capacity houses. 2010 holds more pleasure and entertainment for our audiences as we open our 23rd Season with Shakespeare's great drama, Romeo and Juliet , continue with the touching comedy, Trying, present the ever-popular musical, Peter Pan, follow with the great thriller, Sleuth, and bring in the holidays with our annual  A Christmas Carol.
Picture Credits: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD: l-r--Jane Cunningham(Scout); John Little(Atticus); Drew Cranisky(Jem); Connor Spies, Dill // THE BIG BANG: Scotty Watson(Boyd); Billy Edwards(Jed) // TWELFTH NIGHT: l-r Craig Dudley(Toby); Jenelle Sosa(Maria): Bill Edwards(Andrew)// THE FANTASTIC RETURN of the FABULOUS FABLE FACTORY: l-r--Lauren DeVore; Dallas Haines; Kelly Osborne; Cody Riker