Sunrise Theatre

Sunrise Theatre is a historic performing-arts and entertainment venue at 117 South 2nd Street in Fort Pierce, Florida. Also known as the Sunrise Building, it was constructed in 1923 by builder C. E. Cahow and designed by architect John N. Sherwood in the Mediterranean Revival style. The venue opened on August 1, 1923, initially operating as a vaudeville house while also accommodating films, plays, and variety shows. During its early years, the theater became an important cultural institution for Fort Pierce and the surrounding region. Its stage was described as the largest between Jacksonville and Miami, helping the building attract touring entertainment and establish itself as a civic gathering place. In 1930, the young Florida artist A. E. Backus became the theater's resident artist. Backus produced visual displays and promotional posters for films and celebrity appearances, adding a local artistic dimension to the venue's commercial programming. The theater declined along with many traditional downtown movie and performance venues and closed in 1983 after falling into disrepair. Its preservation became a community project. In 1997, St. Lucie Preservation Association Inc. acquired the building and pursued restoration. A $750,000 renovation grant supported an initial phase of work, allowing the theater to partially reopen in 1999. A more extensive renovation, including additional support spaces and related improvements, followed. The restored venue officially reopened on January 6, 2006. The building was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on December 7, 2001, recognizing its architectural and cultural significance. In its modern role, Sunrise Theatre presents a broad schedule of live entertainment, ranging from performances by local organizations to appearances by nationally and internationally known artists. Its programming has included popular music, rock, jazz, Broadway shows, opera, ballet, and other touring productions. Artists associated with performances at the venue include Willie Nelson, Itzhak Perlman, Diana Ross, Three Dog Night, Lindsey Buckingham, Bryan Adams, Vince Gill, Tony Bennett, Ziggy Marley, and Dave Brubeck. The venue also has a place in music history through Kris Kristofferson's final full performance. On February 5, 2020, Kristofferson performed at Sunrise Theatre with the Strangers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the theater received a $1 million grant in 2021 through the Small Business Administration's Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program, created under the American Rescue Plan. The funding helped support the venue during the severe operating disruption faced by performance spaces. Sunrise Theatre therefore combines several functions: a preserved historic building, a former cinema and vaudeville house, a downtown cultural institution, and an active regional concert and performing-arts venue. Its identity is rooted less in a conventional consumer brand than in the continuity of a named place whose programming and restoration have connected Fort Pierce with touring entertainment for more than a century.

Sunrise Theatre, also called the Sunrise Building, was built in Fort Pierce, Florida, in 1923. Builder C. E. Cahow commissioned architect John N. Sherwood to design the structure in the Mediterranean Revival style. It opened to the public on August 1, 1923, as a vaudeville theater. Its design and stage capacity allowed it to host several types of entertainment, including plays, motion pictures, and variety programs. The venue quickly became a major cultural center for Fort Pierce. Its stage was regarded as the largest between Jacksonville and Miami, giving the theater an important role in the presentation of touring acts and large-scale entertainment in the region. In 1930, artist A. E. Backus became the theater's resident artist. He created displays and posters associated with films and visiting celebrities, linking the building's entertainment function with local visual culture. After decades of operation, Sunrise Theatre closed in 1983 when the building had deteriorated. The property was subsequently targeted for preservation. St. Lucie Preservation Association Inc. purchased the theater in 1997 and worked to secure restoration support. A $750,000 grant financed an initial rehabilitation phase, and the theater partially reopened in 1999. The building was placed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on December 7, 2001. Further renovation work added support areas and completed the restoration of the venue. Sunrise Theatre reopened on January 6, 2006, returning as an active performance space. Its post-restoration program has covered local events as well as appearances by prominent performers, including Willie Nelson, Itzhak Perlman, Diana Ross, Three Dog Night, Lindsey Buckingham, Bryan Adams, Vince Gill, Tony Bennett, Ziggy Marley, and Dave Brubeck. The venue has also hosted opera, Broadway productions, ballet, rock, and jazz concerts. On February 5, 2020, Kris Kristofferson performed what is described as his final full show at the theater, accompanied by the Strangers. During the COVID-19 crisis, Sunrise Theatre received $1 million in 2021 through the Small Business Administration's Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program. The grant was intended to help preserve the operation of venues affected by pandemic-related restrictions and reduced event activity. Today, Sunrise Theatre remains both a listed historic property and an operating cultural venue serving Fort Pierce and the wider Florida market.

• 2021

  Pandemic-relief grant

  [1]Sunrise Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The theater received a $1 million Shuttered Venue Operators Grant through the Small Business Administration.

• 2020

  Kris Kristofferson's final full performance

  [1]Sunrise Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Kris Kristofferson performed his final full show at Sunrise Theatre on February 5, backed by the Strangers.

• 2006

  Restored venue reopens

  [1]Sunrise Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Following a complete renovation and the addition of support areas, the theater reopened on January 6, 2006.

• 2001

  Added to the National Register of Historic Places

  [1]Sunrise Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Sunrise Theatre was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on December 7, 2001.

• 1999

  Partial reopening after restoration

  [1]Sunrise Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The theater partially reopened following an initial renovation supported by a $750,000 grant.

• 1997

  Preservation association acquires the building

  [1]Sunrise Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  St. Lucie Preservation Association Inc. purchased the theater and began pursuing its restoration.

• 1983

  Theater closes

  [1]Sunrise Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Sunrise Theatre closed after the building fell into disrepair.

• 1930

  A. E. Backus becomes resident artist

  [1]Sunrise Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The young Florida artist A. E. Backus became resident artist and produced theater displays and promotional posters.

• 1923

  Construction and opening

  [1]Sunrise Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The Mediterranean Revival theater designed by John N. Sherwood and built by C. E. Cahow opened on August 1, 1923, as a vaudeville house.

A restored historic downtown theater positioned as a regional cultural venue for diverse live entertainment, combining heritage architecture with concerts, touring productions, and community programming.

• Venue · 1923

  Historic theater venue

  The core offering is the restored Sunrise Theatre building, a Mediterranean Revival venue designed for stage performances, films, variety programs, and concerts. Its historic architecture and downtown location are central to its identity and distinguish it from a conventional modern cinema or event hall.

• Live music

  Concert programming

  Sunrise Theatre presents touring and popular-music performances across genres including rock, jazz, country, and related styles. Its documented performers include Willie Nelson, Diana Ross, Three Dog Night, Lindsey Buckingham, Bryan Adams, Vince Gill, Tony Bennett, Ziggy Marley, and Dave Brubeck.

• Performing arts · 1923

  Performing-arts productions

  The venue hosts Broadway shows, opera, ballet, plays, and other touring or community productions. This programming continues the building's original role as a multipurpose theater rather than limiting it to film exhibition.

• Screen and variety entertainment · 1923

  Film and variety entertainment

  When it opened, Sunrise Theatre was configured for vaudeville, motion pictures, plays, and variety shows. Film exhibition and mixed-format entertainment form part of its historical operating identity, although the available reference material does not establish the current frequency of film screenings.

• 2021

  Use of federal pandemic venue reliefStrategy

  Background

  The COVID-19 pandemic created severe operating pressure for performance venues and reduced the ability to present normal event schedules.

  Action taken

  Sunrise Theatre received a $1 million grant through the Small Business Administration's Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program, established under the American Rescue Plan.

  Aftermath

  The grant provided financial support intended to help the historic venue remain operational during the pandemic period.

  Shuttered Venue Operators Grant. $1 million grant (2021)

  Source

1. 1Sunrise Theatreen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Sunrise Theatre official websitesunrisetheatre.com