The Downtown Cabaret Theatre was established in 1976 in Bridgeport, CT under the artistic direction of Claude McNeal. The theatre was a passion project inspired by the success of the Sacred Heart University Cabaret. After witnessing several successful seasons of the cabaret in an academic setting, Mayor Nicholas Panuzio and other business and civic leaders took the initiative to create a resident professional theatre company, deeming it essential for the development of the downtown area.
The visionary transformation from university musical theatre to the Cabaret required the conversion of an assembly room of the former YWCA to a theater, and the addition of a balcony and air conditioning. Our official opening act was with VAUDEVILLE TROUPE on February 27, 1976.
In 1995, the Cabaret underwent a $1.3 million renovation to the facility. Renovations included the construction of a fly house over the stage, the remodeling of the backstage bathrooms, lobby, and house, as well as major upgrades to lighting, sound, and air conditioning equipment. These renovations were funded by a $900,000 grant from the state of Connecticut and a capital fundraising campaign. The newly renovated theatre now holds 290 people.