There’s no shortage 
of lofty reasons to eagerly await opening night at the state-of-the art Argyle Theatre in Babylon Village, namely: the positive impact of arts and culture on a region’s vitality. Millennials want to live and work in places where they can also play and find entertainment. The arts and culture sector often outranks other sectors in U.S. spending. Entire communities are planned around cultural spaces and the arts.
Not to mention, live theater is just SO GOOD!
The Argyle Theatre opens this month with a full schedule of Broadway-caliber shows, from Guys and Dolls to The Producers, featuring professional equity actors, at the newly renovated 1920s movie house that most recently housed Bow Tie Cinemas until closing in 2014. Joe Campolo, CMM Managing Partner and a lifelong patron and supporter of the arts on Long Island, was thrilled to receive a behind-the-scenes tour of the Argyle Theatre in April as construction crews completed the last phase of renovations.
The Argyle Theatre’s grand opening this month is the culmination of a lifelong dream for father and son co-owners Mark and Dylan Perlman, who purchased the building in 2017. The Argyle is set to become a regional destination: it is the second year-round professional equity theatre on Long Island and offers a convenient, right-in-my-backyard alternative to NYC for Long Islanders seeking a night out featuring live entertainment with the quality and style of Broadway. Only a five-minute walk from the Babylon LIRR station and surrounded by the vibrant Babylon Village downtown restaurant and shopping scene, the venue is sure to attract theatergoers beyond Long Island as well. A shuttle to and from the train is planned, and a bike rack is going up outside the building. (For those coming by car, the Argyle’s website will list nearby lots where parking is permitted during showtime.)
“We’re looking to make people think and feel,” said co-owner Mark Perlman of bringing professional, live theater to Long Island’s South Shore. “We’re incredibly excited to bring the Argyle Theatre to the public after a very long process.” The beautifully renovated single-theatre space features 250 seats at orchestra level and an additional 250 at mezzanine level, as well as top-of-the-line lighting, sound, and rigging systems.
Season tickets are available as well as single-show tickets for an inaugural season that also includes Hairspray, Peter and the Star Catcher, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Spring Awakening. Marty Rubin, the Argyle’s Director of Sales, has also put together corporate event packages for businesses looking beyond the boardroom for a unique venue that transports visitors to different time periods and places. Classes, summer programs, and children’s programs are also planned.
CMM is excited to welcome the innovative Argyle Theatre to Long Island and support its role in keeping our island a vibrant cultural destination. Check out these photos of our private tour in the weeks before the Argyle’s grand opening, then head over to https://argyletheatre.com/ or call 844-631-LIVE for tickets.
Pictured: Argyle Theatre co-owner Dylan Perlman, sales director Marty Rubin, and co-owner Mark Perlman invited CMM Managing Partner Joe Campolo to the 1920s-era former movie house on Main Street in Babylon Village during the last phase of construction in April. The Argyle Theatre’s inaugural season begins this month. Next photo: The iconic “Babylon” fluorescent sign will shine once again in Babylon Village.
The space has been completely renovated from its most recent past life as Bow Tie Cinemas. This state-of-the-art facility will now offer year-round professional equity theatre. Next photo: The 500-seat Argyle Theatre now seats 250 at orchestra level and 250 at mezzanine level.
The new single-theatre space features an orchestra pit, balcony, and top-of-the-line lighting, sound, and rigging systems. Next photo: Inside view of the front doors during construction. These posters advertise the last movies screened at the former movie theater before closing in 2014.
Marty Rubin and Joe Campolo check out the balcony. Next photo: Center and right, owning and operating the Argyle Theatre is a dream come true for father and son team Mark and Dylan Perlman. On the left is sales director Marty Rubin, who has reconnected with Mark, his former baseball teammate at Queens College.
Enter stage left: the view from the stage. This stage will feature productions of Guys and Dolls, Hairspray, Peter and the Star Catcher, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Spring Awakening, and The Producers in its grand opening season. Next photo: The Perlmans paid careful attention to every detail during the restoration. Here, a view outside from upstairs.
The Perlmans honored the theatre’s past, as well as their own journey to making their dream a reality, by including period furniture with a personal twist. This couch belonged to Mark Perlman’s parents. Next photo: Just one of the many dressing rooms backstage being readied for opening night.
State-of-the-art lighting awaits installation backstage. Next photo: This box office is now open! Single show and season ticket packages are on sale now – call 844-631-LIVE.