Wildey Theatre

The Wildey Theatre is a historic, municipally owned entertainment venue in downtown Edwardsville, Illinois, in the Metro East area of Greater St. Louis. It opened in 1909 as an opera house, with its second floor serving as a meeting hall for the Independent Order of Oddfellows. The building was named for Thomas Wildey, an Englishman who moved to Baltimore in 1817 and became known as the founder of the Order of Oddfellows in America. For much of the 20th century the Wildey was a fixture of downtown Edwardsville's cultural and social life, operating as an entertainment destination until 1984. Its original era ended on March 8, 1984, when a big-screen showing of "The Big Chill" drew more than 400 people to what was described as the end of an era for the historic theatre. After closing, the building passed through a period of uncertainty and transformation. In 1986 the City's Historic Preservation Commission designated the Wildey as a Local Landmark, recognizing its architectural and civic significance. In 1999, with a state grant and broad community support, the City of Edwardsville acquired the property as part of downtown development efforts. A major renovation followed, and the Wildey Theatre reopened in 2011 as a modern venue for live performances, community events and movies. Today the Wildey operates as a city-run performance and cinema venue. Its programming mixes touring musical acts and tribute bands, film screenings, lectures and community events. A recurring feature is the "Wildey $3 Movie Tuesday" series, which offers low-cost screenings of classic and family films; the official site notes that tickets for these shows go on sale at the Wildey ticket office starting at 10 a.m. on the day of the show, cash or check only, with the lobby opening at 5 p.m. and all seats general admission. The venue also hosts free-admission community programs, such as a talk by Illinois Poet Laureate Mark Turcotte and a Route 66-themed presentation, on a first-come, first-served basis. The Wildey's calendar has included tribute and cover acts such as Mr. Blue Sky, Grand Allusion, Anthology (an Allman Brothers tribute), Cimarron 615 and The Ultimate Doors, alongside seasonal film events like Halloween, Hocus Pocus, The Wizard of Oz, Coco and Nosferatu. Because it is owned and operated by the City of Edwardsville, the theatre functions less as a commercial cinema chain and more as a civic cultural asset and anchor for downtown revitalization. Its official information is published through the City of Edwardsville website, while a separate domain, wildeytheatre.com, is associated with the venue.

The Wildey Theatre opened in 1909 as an opera house in downtown Edwardsville, Illinois. Its second floor served as a meeting hall for the Independent Order of Oddfellows, and the building was named for Thomas Wildey, an Englishman who moved to Baltimore in 1817 and became known as the founder of the Order of Oddfellows in America. Over the following decades the Wildey remained an entertainment destination in downtown Edwardsville, adapting to changing tastes in live performance and cinema. The theatre's original run ended in 1984. On March 8, 1984, more than 400 people attended a big-screen showing of "The Big Chill," an event described by the City of Edwardsville as marking the end of an era for the historic theatre. After closing, the building went through a period of uncertainty. In 1986, the City's Historic Preservation Commission designated the Wildey Theatre as a Local Landmark, formally recognizing its historic and architectural importance. In 1999, recognizing the Wildey Theatre's importance to downtown development efforts, the City of Edwardsville acquired the property with a state grant and the support of many in the community. A major renovation followed, and the Wildey Theatre reopened in 2011 as a venue for live performances, events and movies. The renovation was presented by the City as bringing the theatre back to life for longtime fans and a new generation of patrons. Since reopening, the Wildey has operated as a city-run performance and cinema venue. Its programming has included touring and tribute musical acts, film screenings, lectures and community events. The venue's official information is published through the City of Edwardsville website, which hosts pages for planning a visit and for the theatre's history, including a timeline, historical photographs and details of the renovation effort. A separate domain, wildeytheatre.com, is associated with the venue.

• 2011

  After a major renovation, the Wildey Theatre reopens as a venue for live performances, events and movies.

• 1999

  The City of Edwardsville acquires the property with a state grant and community support as part of downtown development efforts.

• 1986

  The City's Historic Preservation Commission designates the building as a Local Landmark.

• 1984

  On March 8, more than 400 people attend a big-screen showing of "The Big Chill," marking the end of the theatre's original era.

• 1909

  The Wildey Theatre opens as an opera house in downtown Edwardsville, Illinois, with its second floor serving as a meeting hall for the Independent Order of Oddfellows.

A municipally owned historic theatre and downtown cultural anchor, offering affordable live entertainment, films and community events in Edwardsville, Illinois.

• Wildey $3 Movie Tuesday

  Low-cost film screenings; tickets on sale at the Wildey ticket office starting at 10 a.m. day of show, cash or check only, lobby opens at 5 p.m., all seats general admission.

• Live performance programming

  Concerts by touring acts and tribute bands such as Mr. Blue Sky, Grand Allusion, Anthology, Cimarron 615 and The Ultimate Doors.

• Free-admission community events

  First-come, first-served programs such as a talk by Illinois Poet Laureate Mark Turcotte and a Route 66-themed presentation.

1. 1Wildey Theatre | Edwardsville, ILcityofedwardsville.com
2. 2History of the Wildey | Edwardsville, ILcityofedwardsville.com
3. 3Wildey Theatrewikidata.org