History of the Gaslighter Theater
The Gaslighter Theater started in Folsom, CA in 1959 by Dan and Louise Welty. The original building was rebuilt and is now called "The Gaslighter Building". In 1964, Don Cupp added a branch of the theater buisiness in San Jose, CA on Monterey Street behind "Sullivan's Saloon" an old bar at the time. In 1968 they had an opportunity to purchase The Campbell Gaslighter building.
The Campbell Gaslighter Theater is located in one of the most historically significant buildings in the city of Campbell, and possibly all of Santa Clara County. The theater is located at 400 East Campbell Avenue, originally occupied by the Grower's National Bank.
Benjamin O. Curry formed the Grower's National Bank in late 1919. In 1920, Mr. Curry built a business block on Campbell Avenue, part of which became the new home of the Grower's National Bank. The imposing bank building with its ornamental columns lent an air of prosperity to the downtown.
In 1923, the Grower's National Bank merged with the Campbell branch of the Mercantile Trust Company. The impressive building then became the American Trust Company in 1927, and remained in Campbell until its closing in 1938.
In 1938, the majestic building was purchased by a movie theater chain known as Blanco's Peninsula Theater. They added fourty feet to the rear of the building, installed new seats, rest rooms, and a balcony. In May of 1939, the new theater opened with a Technicolor picture entitled, "Jesse James" with Tyrone Power, Henry Fonda, Nancy Kelly, and Randolf Scott. A mystery comedy entitled, "There's That Woman Again" with Virginia Bruce and Melvyn Douglas was on the same bill.
The Campbell Theater remained until 1953 and then closed when home television and other theaters took away too many customers. It reopened briefly in 1960 with a new large screen and new sound equipment, but drive-ins had become popular, so it again closed. Another try was made in May 1963, but it lasted only three months. It finally closed as a movie theater in 1966, ending fourty-seven years of movie entertainment in historic downtown Campbell.
In December of 1968, Don and Faye Cupp were able to purchase the old Campbell Movie Theater. Due to the extremely poor condition of the building, the Cupps were unable to have the gas and electricity turned on. Workers used Coleman lanterns in the evening as they finished the building. The opening performance took place on February 14, 1969, but there still was no gas or heat due to a miscommunication with the power company. However, the show did go on, and the audience and performers kept themseves warm with the enthusiasm of audience participation.
On February 1, 1980, the Cupps sold their theater to the three members of the Gaetano family, Richard, Mark, and Peggy. For eighteen years, the Gaetanos continued the rich tradition of interactive melodrama and vaudeville, adding their own flair and style.
In 1993, The Gaslighter expanded the business by opening the Gilroy Gaslighter Theater, home of the world famous Garlic Festival. The theater was enormously successful hosting Country Music and Line Dancing. Today the theater features live music concerts, comedy, and theatrical productions for the enjoyment of people of all ages.
In September of 1998, Brian and Wendy Tharp, and Robin and Terry Swartz purchased the historic Campbell Gaslighter Theater from the Gaetanos. Due to personal family obligations, in 2001, they were unable to continue ownership of the Gaslighter. The Gaslighter was doomed to be turned into a furniture store and end its almost century of entertainment in downtown Campbell. The Gaetano family fearing the loss of a Santa Clara County tradition, was able to regain ownership of the beloved theater in January of 2002. Currently the Campbell Gaslighter is becoming an upscale restaurant.
In 2003 twin brother Mark Gaetano, who started playing the piano at the Gaslighter in 1971, bought out the rest of the partners and with the help of his lovely wife, they are now continuing the tradition of family entertainment and expanding to new locations across the nation.
In 2003, the Gaslighter expanded its business to the purchase of a 700 seat theater in Banson, MO., The Showtown Gaslighter Theater. There is also a sister theater in Tuscon, Arizona called, The Gaslight Theater.
The Gaslighter Theater has been providing quality entertainment for the past 50 years, the longest privately owned and operated theater company in the country.