Opera Houses: The First Stages
Entertainment in Whitehall and Montague began well before the 20th century. In Montague, Sorenson’s Opera House operated from 1874–1875 at the site where Ripley/Lipka’s now stands. Later, Burrows & Jones Opera House (1883–1884) was located on Ferry Street, and the Montague Opera House, built by Osmund and Ohrenberger, ran from 1902–1912 on the corner of Ferry and Spring Streets—today the site of City Hall. In Whitehall, E. M. Ruggles Opera House stood on Colby Street between 1882–1890, offering the first indoor stage performances in town.
Early Movie Houses in Whitehall
By the early 1900s, motion pictures began to take hold in Whitehall. The town saw several small theaters open in quick succession:
- Savoy (1908)
- Vaudette (1908–1911), run by Fred M. Walker
- Princess (1909), operated by John Darby
- Idle House (1911–1916), with George Dixon and Fred Walker as proprietors
- Empress (1916–1917), managed by C. W. Lasher, located one door west of the Post Office
These theaters brought the novelty of silent films and vaudeville acts to Whitehall, setting the stage for the permanent venues that followed.
The Playhouse and Its Legacy
In 1916, Whitehall’s entertainment scene gained permanence with the construction of the Playhouse. Built by James J. Nufer and Frank R. Adams, the building was modeled after Chicago’s LaSalle Theatre and hosted both stage productions and early films. In 1973, with help from Howmet Corporation and the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, the building was renovated and renamed the Howmet Playhouse. Today, branded as The Playhouse at White Lake, it remains a cultural hub with live theater, concerts, film screenings, and an annual summer festival.
Montague’s Early Theaters
Montague also enjoyed its share of early film venues. The Orpheum Theatre operated from 1915–1917 under W. C. Barnes, and the Montague Theatre ran from 1919–1921 with Clif Smith as proprietor. Later, the Park Theatre was constructed in 1948, becoming the town’s main movie house until its closure and demolition in 1988.
NorthStar Cinemas: A Modern Option
Whitehall entered the multiplex era with the opening of NorthStar Cinemas on June 13, 1996. Located on Whitehall Road, it debuted with blockbuster films like The Cable Guy and Mission: Impossible. With three screens and first-run features, it provided a modern alternative to the historic Playhouse and kept the community’s love of movies alive.
The Band Shell: Music Outdoor
Entertainment in the White Lake area has not been confined to four walls. The Montague-Whitehall Rotary Band Shell, located by the boat launch on Water Street in Montague, has been a summer staple for decades. Free Tuesday evening concerts sponsored by the Arts Council of White Lake bring residents together under the open sky, continuing the tradition of live performance in a community setting.
Why This History Still Matter
From opera houses in the late 1800s to nickelodeon-style theaters in the early 1900s, and from the Playhouse to modern cinemas and outdoor band shells, Whitehall and Montague have always valued the stage and screen. These venues—whether long gone or still thriving—show how the White Lake area built a tradition of gathering for stories, music, and community that continues to this day.
