The Newton Theatre

Great local theatre.  Small, intimate....I've seen at least 6 shows there and I've never been disappointed with the venue.  Support local...check it out sometime.

I hate to use phrases like "gem" and "secret", but the new Newton Theatre really seems to be those things.

Last minute I was able to get some tix for Blues Traveler here last Saturday night.  I didn't have high expectations for the venue because I remembered it as the old twin cinema place with smoking in the balconies and Newton's finest hanging around when the movie let out.  The folks who renovated this place did a phenomenal job!  It's clean and well let in the lobby.  The way they moved people in and out was really easy.  They set up beer and wine concessions in the lobby, and it seemed to work.

The concert hall is tiny, but the seats were all new and comfortable.  Most had cup holders.  I had heard people complain about the acoustics, but that's unwarranted in such a small space.  They don't suck, and that's good enough for me.

For about $60 we got to sit 12 rows from the band.  The show itself was really good too - they played a full two hour set.  I'm still a little amazed that this once a dump place is now nice and drawing good artists to play here.  I'm looking forward to getting back here again soon.

An old friend sent me a message a few months ago, " Southside Johnny is playing The Newton Theatre". I haven't seen SSJ since the nineties and, for that matter, my high school buddy. But Newton? There are concerts in Newton? I figured WTH, it's an affordable night out.

The venue is a refurbished movie house in the downtown area of this northwestern Jersey town. With a capacity of about 600 there's not a bad seat in the place. The small lobby and cramped restrooms just add to the charm of seeing a concert in an early 20th century theater. I was pleasantly surprised they offered beer and wine on site. The staff was friendly and accommodating as we were directed to our seats in the first row of the balcony. The "balcony" is elevated only about 6-8 feet above the sloped orchestra but the sight lines are excellent. Acoustically the layout has everything needed but on this night the sound was a bit off. I suspect this had more to do with the tech team rather than the venue. SSJ even stopped the show at one point to ask them to get it right. It didn't dampen the night as Southside and the Jukes high-energy, rock and roll was the reason everyone left smiling. As with any venue in the Garden State, smoking is prohibited but that doesn't necessarily stop some from lighting up at many shows.  I didn't see anybody sharing a J, but had they, it surely would've been overpowered by the stench of Ben-Gay this night. Southside and the Jukes may be a Shore-era stand-by but I was surprised there weren't a few younger music fans here for the two-and-a-half hour show.

The Newton Theatre is an excellent option for a night out. The concert lineup is a bit grayer than most with the likes of Dave Mason, John Waite and Blue Oyster Cult all scheduled to appear soon. A name like "The Silver Fox Theater" may be more apropos but to their credit they have booked somewhat more contemporary acts such as the Gin Blossoms and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. The town itself is not a bustling metropolis nor would anyone describe it as quaint. There are a few decent restaurants nearby and we enjoyed a pre-show bite and post-show drink at O'Reilly's Pub a short walk away. I will definitely continue to check the calendar would love to come back to see a band like The Gaslight Anthem here. Perhaps Johnny Lyon said it best himself. "Newton, New Jersey," the ageless rocker blurted at the end of the show, "Who knew?"