BIJOU THEATRE – A HISTORICAL VENUE IN BRIDGEPORT
The Bijou Theatre is the oldest building in America that opened as a movie and live performance space and is still operating as a movie theater and live entertainment venue.
The story began in 1909 when Lillian L. Ashmun purchased the property, located at 269-275 Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport. She commissioned architect Ernest G. Southey to design a three-story commercial building to include an opera house and retail store. However, during construction, the plans for an opera house were converted into a movie house in response to the growing popularity of silent films at the time. The modified plan included a two-story ballroom above.
In 1910 Peter Dawe leased, operated and eventually bought the Bijou Theatre. Daniel J. Quilty, a master dance instructor, conducted his College of Dancing within the two-story ballroom area. He taught waltz, polka, tap and ballet until his death in 1950.
In 1911 advertisements appeared in The Bridgeport Post newspaper for the Bijou Theatre, which was building a reputation for “High Class Vaudeville and Pictures, Three Shows Daily, Saturday and Holidays Four Shows. 600 seats for Ladies and Children, Matinees 5 cents, Nights Everybody 10 cents.”
In 1929 Athan G. Prakas, a Greek immigrant, began operating a luncheonette and confectionary in the retail portion of the building. He developed a spark for Helen, the piano player for silent films at the Bijou Theatre. He wooed her, they married, and eventually they purchased the building. The family of Athan and Helen, including their daughters Olympia and Marina, Olympia’s husband George Crist and their son Athan, owned and operated the theatre through a number of name changes – The Rivoli, Downtown Cinema and Downtown Family Cinema.
In October, 2003 The Kuchma family purchased the building from Olympia and Marina. After more than seven years of planning, redesigning and a total renovation of the building, the Kuchma family brought back the original “Bijou” name 100 years after its first movie showing. The Bijou then became the centerpiece of a multi-property neighborhood called Bijou Square.
With a 200-seat capacity, the Bijou Theatre today cherishes its history and carries on the tradition of supporting the arts through film and live performance.
So that’s from their website. I can attest that the venue’s renovations are quite stunning. I recently reviewed the talented Light Warriors’ show at the Bijou. The band was great but I was also totally impressed with the layout, acoustics and the old school charm of the space. It’s a perfect spot to catch a band, movie or comedy show but more importantly it’s reviving the scene in downtown Bridgeport. Once the Harford HealthCare Amphitheater opens, Bridgeport will easily be another entertainment hub for the state.
Executive Director Gary Peterson was kind enough to give AMP an interview about The Bijou and its optimistic future.
AMP: The renovations at the Bijou are quite dazzling. How long ago were they done and how have they enhanced the theatre?
PETERSON: The Bijou was renovated in 2009 (it’s 100 yr anniversary) by Kuchma Corp who still owns the building. It’s a unique and intimate setting like no other in the state.
AMP: How long have you been active in the affairs of the Bijou and what are your functions?
PETERSON: I’m the owner of the business. I purchased it from the previous management in July of 2017. As such, I wear MANY hats from booking the shows to organizing the promotion to stocking the bar & concession, etc, etc.
AMP: What is your background in the entertainment industry?
PETERSON: I worked in television/video production for 30 years, mostly as a production manager and most recently with NBC Sports in Stamford. I’ve always been a huge live music, comedy, and film fan!
AMP:. What benefits does the Bijou bring to the Bridgeport community
PETERSON: The Bijou is a big part of downtown Bpt. Shows at the theatre help support our neighboring restaurants, parking garage, etc. Not only is it a great place to have an affordable fun night out, it is also an affordable place for people to rent for their large special events, corporate uses, seminars, etc. All of these things add to the lifeblood of this great little corner of the city, which by the way, is extremely easy to access from Rt 8 and I95. 
AMP: What kind of acts does the Bijou want to showcase?
PETERSON: We book a lot of tribute acts, it’s a great place where grown-ups can come and sing along to the songs they know and love. We also love to show films with a music tie in whether it’s a concert film, documentary, or just a movie with a strong music theme. We also dabble in Jazz, Blues, and Latin music acts. It’s a nice variety of offerings.
AMP: How did the theatre survive during the pandemic?
PETERSON: The pandemic was brutal for all entertainment venues. The short answer is, we survived because we had a lot of help. We got a lot of support from the Small Business Administration and various vendors that were willing to work with us because we had great relationships with them.
AMP: What does the future look like for the theatre?
PETERSON: We’re very hopeful that the Fall concert and events season will be strong and will help us start rebuilding the business. Right now, things are looking very positive.
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To learn more about The Bijou Theatres History CLICK HERE!
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