Jones Beach Theater

The Jones Beach Theater is a part of the Jones Beach State Park. The Jones Beach State park is in Nassau County in the state of New York. The Jones Beach State Park was opened by, then Governor of New York, Franklin Delano Roosevelt on August 4 of 1929. Also speaking were former Governor Alfred Smith and the Commission President Robert Moses.

The Jones Beach Theater was originally known as the Jones Beach Marine Stadium. It was built in the early years of the 1930's decade. The original theater was torn down and replaced in 1945 due to safety issues. It was a wooden structure that was built as a part of the United States Work Relief Program that was a part of a government initiative to create jobs.

The Jones Beach Marine Stadium re-opened in 1952. Opening night featured A Night in Venice by Johan Strauss II. It was produced by Mike Todd who was, at one time, married to Elizabeth Taylor.

The stage, in both the Jones Beach Marine Stadium and the Jones Beach Theater, is separated from the audience by a body of water. The stage is 104 feet wide and has a center that revolves. The revolving center of the stage is 76 feet wide. The theater will seat 8,200 people. Tunnels that run underwater allow for transport from the shore to the stage. Underground elevators also exist to move scenery and stage equipment.

There have been 500 million visitors to the park since it's opening in 1929. Many of those visitors have enjoyed stage shows and concerts in the Jones Beach Theater on the beach.