If the walls of the NYCB Theatre at Westbury could talk, they would share tales of entertainment history dating back to the mid-20th century. This iconic venue, originally known as the Westbury Music Fair, has been a cornerstone of Long Island’s cultural landscape for decades. Located in the charming hamlet of Jericho, just outside of Westbury, New York, this theater-in-the-round-style venue has been a stage for some of the world’s most renowned performers and productions.
A Vision Takes Shape
The story of the NYCB Theatre at Westbury begins with a chance encounter and a vision. In 1954, radio broadcaster Frank Ford and nightclub owner Lee Guber attended a musical performance in a tent with their wives. As they critiqued the show, Ford’s wife challenged them to do better, and thus, Music Fair Enterprises, Inc. was born. Together with television news anchor Shelly Gross, the trio raised $100,000 and leased the site in Devon, Pennsylvania, creating the Valley Forge Music Fair, which saw remarkable profits in its inaugural season in 1955.
The success in Pennsylvania led them to Long Island, where they transformed an abandoned lime pit in Jericho into the Westbury Music Fair. The original venue, constructed in 1956, was an uninsulated blue-and-beige striped tent that could accommodate 1,850 attendees. Despite occasional noise from planes approaching what is now John F. Kennedy International Airport, the venue became a cultural hub.
The Evolution of Entertainment
In 1966, Gross and Guber took a bold step by constructing a permanent theater on the same site, capable of hosting 3,000 spectators. This new facility was a modern concrete building with carpeted floors and initially, metal director’s chairs that were later upgraded to fully upholstered seats. Climate control ensured audience comfort year-round. What set this theater apart was its theater-in-the-round format, providing clear and intimate views of the performances from every seat while keeping production costs in check.
The Westbury Music Fair quickly gained popularity, with its first-year gross reaching $230,000, featuring productions like “The King and I.” By 1976, revenue had grown exponentially, exceeding $13 million, and ticket prices had risen to an average of $8.75, a testament to its enduring appeal.
A Shifting Legacy
Ownership of the venue changed hands over the years, with SFX Entertainment acquiring it in 1998 and later becoming a part of Live Nation. Various banks held naming rights, including North Fork Bank and Capital One. In 2010, New York Community Bank acquired naming rights, leading to the venue being known as the NYCB Theatre in Westbury.
The NYCB Theatre at Westbury has hosted an impressive array of stars and groups, including The Doors, The Who, Alanis Morissette, Johnny Carson, Britney Spears, and many more. It’s not just a venue for music; it has also been a suitable arena for professional wrestling, with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling gracing its stage.
A Multifaceted Legacy
The history of the NYCB Theatre at Westbury is a tapestry of entertainment, spanning generations and genres. From music legends to comedians, from wrestling showdowns to church services, this iconic venue has seen it all. It’s not just a theater; it’s a living testament to the power of entertainment to bring people together and create unforgettable moments. So, the next time you find yourself on Long Island, consider experiencing a slice of entertainment history at the NYCB Theatre at Westbury. You never know what legendary performance you might witness within its hallowed walls.
