Torrington Concert Venues: The Warner Theatre Guide
The live scene here is the Warner Theatre. It's a grand 1931 Art Deco movie palace, now fully restored. It's northwest CT's largest arts center. The Oneglia seats about 1,700. The smaller Nancy Marine Studio Theatre handles intimate shows.
Out in the Litchfield Hills, you might not expect a grand theater. But Torrington has one of the most beautiful in the state. The Warner is the cultural heart of northwest CT.
The Warner Theatre (about 1,700)
The Warner Theatre sits on Main Street. It opened in 1931. Warner Bros. built it as a movie palace. Architect Thomas W. Lamb designed it. The Art Deco interior was once billed as "Connecticut's Most Beautiful Theatre." After years of decline, it was set for demolition in 1982. A grassroots nonprofit stepped in. It was the Northwest Connecticut Association for the Arts. They saved the building. The Warner reopened as an arts center in 1983. A full fix-up wrapped up in 2002.
The Oneglia started with 1,772 seats. It holds roughly 1,700 today. The Warner runs more than 160 shows a year. Think concerts, comedy, dance, tribute acts, and Broadway-style shows. It anchors the whole region's calendar.
Best for: concerts and touring shows in a grand old hall.
Never miss a Warner show
See every Warner Theatre concert. Plus 40+ CT venues. All in the free CT Concert Center app.
Download on theApp StoreThe Nancy Marine Studio Theatre
The Warner complex also includes the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre. It's a smaller, flexible space. It hosts the theater's own shows. It also runs the arts school. It hosts smaller concerts and events too. That gives the Warner two different scales to work with, all under one roof.
Best for: small shows and smaller-scale events.
Planning your visit
- Getting there: It sits on Route 8, in the Litchfield Hills. That's about 30 minutes north of Waterbury.
- More old theaters: Compare the Waterbury Palace. Or the Bushnell in Hartford.
- Up in Norfolk too: The northwest corner is also home to Infinity Hall. See the greater-Hartford guide for more.
Warner Theatre FAQ
What's the main venue?
The Warner Theatre. Its Oneglia Auditorium seats about 1,700.
How old is it?
It opened in 1931, and was restored after a 1980s rescue from demolition.
Is there a smaller room?
Yes, the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre.
How do I find upcoming shows?
The free CT Concert Center app lists every Warner show in one feed.