This Historic New Hampshire Theater Is Staying Open, and Every Ticket Will Help Local Families
For years, the Flying Monkey Movie House Performance Center has been a place where New Hampshire families laughed at comedians, applauded musicians, and made memories together.
Now, the historic Plymouth theater is finding a new way to serve the community by helping create affordable housing!
You already know how much I love a "pay it forward" mentality. Mix it with some historic theatre and we've got a magical combo I can totally get behind!
Growing up a theatre kid, I found a serious appreciation for historic theatres that have been operating since Vaudeville and Silent Film times. They're more than beautiful old buildings, they're community landmarks that have witnessed generations of applause, standing ovations, first dates, family outings, and unforgettable performances.
That's why seeing them preserved for future generations always feels like a win.
In a social media post on June 19, The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center said, "In the process of refreshing and repainting the beloved Flying Monkey sign - just one of many planned updates coming to The Flying Monkey Theatre. Stay tuned!"
Linda, a local viewer, said, "So glad the Flying Monkey will continue to be a big part of our enjoyment and a great place for us to have a wonderful place to go for quality entertainment".
The Concord Monitor reported that after being donated by The Common Man family to Pemi-Valley Habitat for Humanity, the theater plans to continue entertaining audiences while also supporting local families in need. The funds the venue accrues will help Habitat build affordable homes throughout the Pemi Valley and Lakes Region.
What I love so much about this is that the venue is giving back to its community and the people that have helped fill their seats over the last 16 years (under the Common Man ownership).
The theater's story stretches back nearly a century. Originally built in 1928, the building was restored and reopened in 2010 after years of sitting vacant. Since then, it's welcomed thousands of guests for concerts, movies, and more.
According to WMUR, "officials said the venue welcomes about 20,000 guests each year and hosts more than 150 events annually."
While ownership is changing, visitors can expect the curtain to stay up. Habitat plans to continue hosting live entertainment while expanding community programming with events like dance classes, educational workshops, and neighborhood gatherings.
In an interview with the Concord Monitor, the Common Man CEO Sean Brown said, "We had a fun ride bringing this venue back to life." He continued, "It's time to usher in a new era for this historic theater, one that will keep downtown vibrant but also do good for members of our community by producing housing opportunities."
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For a theater steeped in history and cherished by generations, this marks a hopeful new act, one where every performance helps support affordable housing and strengthens the community it calls home.
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Gallery Credit: Meg