- Founding and Uniqueness: The Warwick Musical Theatre, known as “The Tent,” was opened in 1955 by Burton “Buster” Bonoff and Barbara Bonoff. Its original setting was a circus-style tent, creating a unique “theater-in-the-round” experience for audiences.
- Cultural Impact: The Tent gave Rhode Island access to Broadway productions and major entertainment, featuring both theatrical and musical acts. Audiences enjoyed close, intimate seating with performers.
- Growth and Transition: By the mid-1960s, The Tent became one of several successful “tent circuit” venues in the Northeast. In 1967, a permanent building from the New York World’s Fair replaced the original tent, maintaining the in-the-round format.
- Star Power and Longevity: Transitioning to concerts, The Tent hosted legendary acts including Ray Charles, Liberace, and Dolly Parton, and became a cherished destination for Southern New England audiences through the late 20th century.
- Closure and Legacy: Competition from larger venues and casinos led to the closure of The Tent in 1999, marking the end of a beloved community and cultural institution in Warwick.
The Warwick Musical Theatre, affectionately dubbed “The Tent,” was a legendary Rhode Island venue founded in 1955 by Burton “Buster” Bonoff and Barbara Bonoff. Originally erected as a circus-style big top tent on Route 2 in Warwick, the theater presented Broadway productions, bringing big-name stars and lively entertainment to the region. This tent-in-the-round, with intimate seating and a rotating stage, was unique for its era—audiences sat close to the performers, enjoying both theatrical and musical acts under canvas.
By the mid-1960s, as touring “tent circuit” theaters thrived in the Northeast, Warwick’s Tent stood out among sister venues like Oakdale and the Cape Cod Melody Tent. In 1967, the Tent was replaced by a permanent building salvaged from the New York World’s Fair, maintaining the theater-in-the-round tradition. The format transitioned to concerts featuring stars like Ray Charles, Liberace, and Dolly Parton, drawing Southern New England audiences for decades. Faced with competition from large venues and casinos, the Bonoff family closed the theater in 1999, marking the end of an era for local arts and community life
Loved those days. The performances were remarkable. Too bad it changed.
GREAT TIME GROWING UP with this fantastic experience of listening and watching shows that we would never have gotten to see unless you were able to go to Boston or New York costing much more.
Many shows were enjoyed even by the children weekly, great advantage for many.
Thank you for the memories!
As a child I was in the production of “The King and I” at the Tent. I was about 9 yrs old. It was a great adventure and good memories. Female lead was Gisele MacKenzie.
As a child I was in the production of “The King and I” at the Tent. I was about 9 yrs old. It was a great adventure and good memories. Female lead was Gisele MacKenzie.