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Historic Canton Theatre

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For over 100 years, the Historic Canton Theatre has been a shining star for entertainment in the Canton community. The Theatre has become a community fixture, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy live theatre from both local and traveling productions, as well as entertainment from musicians, comedians and film screening events. We can't wait to welcome you through our doors!

Upcoming Showings and Productions

Georgia Players Guild presents Fortunate Sons- The Creedence Clearwater Revival Experience

The incredible catalog of Creedence Clearwater Revival has stood the test of time and multiple generations. "Fortunate Sons" seeks to honor and prolong the awareness of this timeless band's musical contributions to the community while creating unforgettable moments within each show that pay homage to the band's ability to reach musical highs with sonic explorations that rise and fall like a "Bad Moon Rising". Green River, a song written about John Fogerty’s childhood vacation spot is a perfect example of how great music brings back excellent memories. Songs like “Born on Bayou”, “Run Through the Jungle” and “Susie Q” soar and take listeners on an expressive near psychedelic journey of guitar musings…an excellent representation of the band’s improvisational influences of the day. Other songs like “Commotion”, “Down On the Corner” and “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” showcase the band’s commitment to songwriting and the craft it demands. Classic sing-a-longs like "Up Around the Bend", "Lookin' Out My Backdoor", "Long as I can See the Light" and more complete a perfectly balanced night of music that every C.C.R. fan will know and love. Members of Fortunate Sons - the best of Creedence Clearwater Revival have individually appeared on network TV shows like America's Got Talent and onstage with musical giants like Derek Trucks, Oteil Burbridge, Ed Roland (Collective Soul), even gospel/R&B legends like Kim Burrell and Jennifer Holiday. From their home base at the historic Strand Theatre in Marietta, GA, their popularity has grown to put them in demand at theaters and festivals across the country. “So much talent in this band! Definitely a WOW experience! These guys and gals have music in their souls. We saw them at the Strand when they played the Music of CCR. They keep you coming back for more!” - Jenny R. “Talent, energy, style, and an evening of top notch music entertainment!” - Johnny S. "Fortunate Sons" is a product of The Georgia Players Guild - an agency of touring tribute shows across the country. Since 2014, they have staged hundreds of performances of over 30 different shows, paying tribute to over half a century of iconic music. No matter the band or genre, they go beyond just getting the songs right, seeking to make the experience true to the original.

Tickets available at https://gpg.ticketleap.com/cantonccr/

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History of the Theatre

Canton Theatre logo Blk (1)As early as 1911, the Historic Canton Theatre was used to show slides and silent movies. Later, in the early 1920s, the Theatre changed owners and was renamed “The Bonita,” which held movie showings on Fridays and Saturdays.

During this era, the popularity of the Theatre grew rapidly. The Theatre was soon renovated, expanded, and renamed  “The Haven.” It presented the people of Canton first line shows, including their first talking motion picture, the 1928 film “Singing Fool,” starring famous singing star Al Jolson.

The “Haven” continued to be a movie house for several more years until the late 1930s, when the Theatre was sold to the Martin-Thompson Theatre Company. The newly named “Canton Theatre” was then remodeled to reflect the Art Deco design so popular during that time.

The spectacular new Theatre had improvements that were truly unique, such as a steel skeleton for improved stability and safety. The fireproof walls and sprinkler system ensured that no fire would last long. New air conditioning and heating systems were installed in the Theatre to make it more comfortable for larger audiences. New restrooms and dressing rooms had a modernistic design. Red and blue uniformed employees at the “Candy Bar” sold candy and popcorn from the new popper, while an array of bright neon lights surrounded the Theatre, bathing it in colorful beauty. The size of the stage was expanded to make it larger than ever before. The new Canton Theatre was indeed a splendid site at the Grand Opening, which took place on September 30, 1940.

The Canton Theatre played the best motion pictures of the time. It was described as a “thoroughly modern sound and movie palace, with all the comfort, light, and cheer that denotes a first class picture theatre housed in the "larger cities.”

The Theatre continued to show movies for 30 more years, but by the mid 1970s, the popularity of the Theatre declined dramatically. Many guests felt that it had become too out of date. They wanted to see movies with the convenience of drive-ins and with many more choices. As a result, the Theatre sat idle for many years and subsequently went into disrepair.

In 1994, the Theatre was purchased by an individual for restoration. The City of Canton then acquired the property in a land swap in 1997. It was later deeded to the Downtown Development Authority in order to secure financing for restoration, which soon began. The Canton Theatre was restored to the Art Deco style of the 1930s and was reopened in a Dedication Ceremony, taking place on May 26, 2000.

Since that time, the Canton Theatre has become a community fixture, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy live theatre from both local and traveling productions, as well as entertainment from musicians, comedians and film screening events.