Entertaining Montgomery County since 1934

The Conroe landscape has changed since the Crighton Theatre's construction in 1934, as has the type of entertainment provided by the historical landmark over the last 79 years. However, the building has been a constant in the community, providing not only residents, but people from across the state and country a venue to enjoy community theater and musical performances.

Executive Director Jim Bingham said the theater was constructed in 1934. Funded by then-Mayor Harry Crighton, who had recently discovered oil on his property, the theatre opened Nov. 26, 1935. Bingham said Crighton wanted to construct a premier movie house where people from across the area could view films.

"When they made movies [in the '30s] they made six or eight master copies of the film and those traveled around," Bingham said. "When the movie came to town, if you didn't see the movie that weekend, you didn't get to see the movie."

However, the development and success of the modern multiplexes had a negative impact on smaller movie houses like the Crighton, and the theater went into disrepair in the 1960s. The Montgomery County Foundation for Performing Arts was given the facility by the Crighton family in the late '70s with the task of renovating the theatre. Since its renovations, the Crighton has been a destination for major artists, such as Clint Black, Ray Price, and the Houston Symphony.

"[Burl Ives] said it was one of the most delightful evenings he's ever had on stage," Bingham said. "He sat on a chair in the center of the stage without any microphone and just talked and played to the audience. Vince Gill said the same thing when he played here. He said this is the perfect-size house for concerts."

The Crighton also offers theatrical performances throughout the year. Bingham praised the resident theater troupe, Stage Right, which performs five different shows a year at the Crighton, while Christian Youth Theater performs shows and the Bravo Company teaching school offers a performance each year.

Bingham said the theater hosts fun, family friendly performances, such as Stage Right's recent "Red Velvet Cupcake War," which finished its run May 5.

Upcoming Crighton Theatre Schedule

Tickets for performances at the Crighton Theatre can be purchased at the theater box office, online or by phone. Ticket prices range from $18 for student plays to $53 for the Sounds of Texas Music series.

• May 11 Sounds of Texas Music Series: Alejandro Escovedo and Joe Ely, 8 p.m.
• May 17-18 Bravo Company presents Shakespeare Comes to Calamity Creek
• May 23-26 Christian Youth Theater presents The Hobbit
• June 1 Hotel California: A Tribute to the Eagles, 7:30 p.m.
• June 7 One Night with Elvis and Fever, 7 p.m.
• June 15 Dave Alvin & The Guilty Ones, 8 p.m.
• June 22 An Evening with Larry Gatlin, 8 p.m.
• July 12-28 Stage Right: The Wizard of Oz
• Sept. 6-22 Stage Right presents Arsenic and Old Lace

Crighton Theatre, 234 Main St., Conroe, 936-441-7469, www.crightontheatre.org