Pitman’s Broadway Theatre at 100

Eldredge details the history of a much-loved theater in Pitman, New Jersey, which will celebrate its centennial in 2026.

The prologue begins with imminent disaster: In 2002, the Broadway Theater was about to close its doors, due to bankruptcy. Before readers learn its fate, the book jumps back to the late 1800s to discuss the early history of Pitman itself, and how that history laid the groundwork for the Broadway’s eventual founding in 1926. The town began as a seasonal Methodist camp and grew into a large town; one particularly notable landmark was the mansion of the Carr family, which stood at its center. The mansion would later be torn down and turned into the theater, which was outfitted with a high-quality organ and hosted live shows and movies alike. Throughout its history, the theater had to adapt in various ways to what appealed to people in Pitman and to the residents of the less religious, nearby towns beyond it. As movie theaters became commonplace later in the 20th century, the theater largely moved back to live performances. A husband and wife eventually bought the theater outright and still own it today; it continues to thrive as a culture center of Pitman and South Jersey more broadly. Eldredge’s history uses a combination of anecdotal examples, biographical detail, and broader historical context, including details of local politics, to create a sweeping narrative of the Broadway. There are many specific details that make the history feel especially vivid, and the many interviews help to personalize the events of its story further. Sometimes, the book can feel a little bit disorganized; in particular, its strict chronology can work against it, making it difficult to trace recurring themes clearly. However, this is a small complaint, and it’s easy to perceive the clear love and pride that the author feels for that local institution.

A thorough and deeply felt story of a New Jersey landmark.