History

The legendary Oakdale Theater in Wallingford, CT reflects 70 years of evolution in American pop culture. From its earliest days as a modest show tent, the Oakdale played host to some of the most iconic shows, and entertainers of the modern era. Now a state-of-the-art entertainment complex that opened in 1996,  the theater continues to provide audiences with sound and stage experiences that make the Oakdale one of the state’s premier concert venues.

The Oakdale Theater opened in 1954 under the protection of a large tent in the middle of an alfalfa field. A two- or three-dollar ticket entitled audiences to one of 1,400 seats and a “theatre-in-the-round” experience. From its earliest days, the Oakdale faced numerous challenges, including the arrival of Hurricanes Carol and Edna which destroyed large sections of the show tent during the theater’s very first season.

Ben Segal founded the theater and made the Oakdale a family-run business in the following decades. As a result, much of the early entertainment proved family-friendly, such as musicals like “South Pacific” and “Oklahoma.”

In 1961, renovations to the Oakdale provided large cables and brackets to support the tent from the outside, thus allowing for the removal of interior support poles that obstructed stage views. In addition, the Segals added a new sound system and electric heat to improve the audience experience. Musical acts ranging from Paul Anka and Tom Jones to legendary rock bands like The Who, The Doors, Cream, and Led Zeppelin graced the Oakdale’s stage during this period.

A wood dome erected in 1972 provided a more permanent structure for the theater and coincided with an increase in seating capacity from 1,700 to 3,200. In addition to concerts and musicals.  The 70’s & 80’s boasted week-long engagements by then headliners Steve & Eydie, Englebert, The Osmonds, Wayne Newton, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons and so many more.

In 1996, the Oakdale abandoned the theater-in-the-round concept for a more traditional staging arrangement. It turned the old stage area into a spacious lobby and increased its seating capacity to 4,600. At that time some of the biggest names in music graced the new theatre; Sting, Rod Stewart, Cher, Bruce Springsteen (acoustic), Barry Manilow, James Taylor, Judas Priest, Reba, Ringo Starr, Britney Spears, Whitney Houston, Duran Duran, Neil Young and so many more --- It was the place that today’s hottest acts got their start --- Dua Lipa, P!nk, Twenty One Pilots, The Chainsmokers, Jonas Brothers, Lil Durk, Post Malone, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Coldplay, Maroon 5, John Mayer, Lana Del Ray, 5 Seconds of Summer to name a few. Broadways biggest blockbusters, Wicked, Jersey Boys, Riverdance, Annie, Grease, Kinky Boots as well as the biggest comics on the planet – Chris Rock, Ellen, Brett Goldstein, Seinfeld, Bill Maher, Jon Stewart, and more. 

Two years later, legendary Connecticut concert promoter Jim Koplik joined the Oakdale and the theater became a part of Live Nation, the largest entertainment company in the world. Today, the Oakdale continues to provide audiences with a wide range of entertainment options, from child-friendly performances, theatrical extravaganzas,  and stand-up comedians, to some of the biggest names in live music.