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

Cry! Cry! Cry! - The Johnny Cash Experience presented by Georgia Players Guild

"Cry! Cry! Cry!: The Johnny Cash Experience" is a tribute show dedicated to honoring the life and music of the legendary Johnny Cash. Known as "The Man in Black", Cash's deep, resonant voice and storytelling ability captivated audiences across generations. This tribute performance brings the raw energy, emotional depth, and iconic songs of Johnny Cash to life, offering audiences an authentic and unforgettable journey through his storied career.

 In addition to faithfully recreating the music, "Cry! Cry! Cry!" also highlights key moments from Cash's life, including his battles, triumphs, and the love story with June Carter. The show is interspersed with storytelling and visual elements the bring audiences closer to the man behind the music, making it more than just a concert - it's a theatrical journey through Johnny Cash's personal and professional milestones.

Whether you're a lifelong Johnny Cash fan or new to his music, "Cry! Cry! Cry!: The Johnny Cash Experience" delivers a powerful performance that captures the spirit, grit, and soul of Cash's legacy. This show serves as both a celebration and tribute, ensuring that Johnny Cash's music continues to resonate with audiences, old and new, for years to come.

Tickets available at https://www.freshtix.com/events/cry-canton

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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.