Babylon's Argyle Theatre nearing finish of big renovation project

The Argyle Theatre is nearing the completion of its second multi-million-dollar renovation in a decade.

The first renovation took place in 2017, when the father-and-son team, Mark and Dylan Perlman, invested $2.5 million to transform a tri-screen movie theater into a Broadway-caliber venue.

(Scroll down for before and after photos.)

Now, six years later, with the assistance of a Suffolk County JumpSMART Small Business grant, they’ve donned their hard hats once again for another round of improvements.

According to Dylan, the goal was to introduce as many modern amenities as possible while preserving the historic building, which is over 100 years old.

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On Tuesday, Sept. 3, the theater closed after wrapping up “Bye Bye Birdie,” the final show of their production season, to begin the multi-week renovation project. The doors will reopen on Friday, Oct. 18, with a Donna Summer Tribute show. Ironically, this same show opened the theater after its initial renovation.

“And both shows sold out. It’s just surreal,” Dylan said.

The renovations include upgrades both visible to patrons and behind-the-scenes improvements.

The most noticeable change is the exterior facelift. The Perlmans enhanced the building with an Art Deco-inspired design that features new lighting, fresh paint, and a soon-to-arrive marquee.

“When people pass by, we want no one to ever question again, ‘Oh, do they show old movies?”

Inside, the main lobby and concession area have been completely transformed, featuring a new 19-foot mahogany bar, which serves snacks and refreshments, along with a tap system offering six draft beers and red and white wine. The lobby also boasts a new tin-inspired ceiling, upgraded lighting fixtures, an improved sound system, and TVs.

“We wanted to create a more intimate feel,” said Dan Ostrander, the theater’s general manager and director of operations.

Another major upgrade is the women’s restroom, which has doubled in size, adding four new stalls and sinks.

Building maintenance was also a key focus, given the theater’s construction dates back to 1922. This work included a new roof, updated electrical wiring, improved insulation, concrete repairs, and the installation of brand-new HVAC units.

“All of these improvements are designed to enhance comfort and convenience for our patrons,” Dylan said.

The final piece of the project involved upgrades to the production capabilities, most notably automating the lighting grid. This new system reduces the manpower needed to change production sets, allowing for more shows throughout the year.

“We want to be a place where people have a really nice night out,” said Dylan, “And people say we have really great shows and production quality.”

The first show of the Argyle Theatre’s next production season, “A Christmas Carol,” will begin on Nov. 7. Click here to see the full lineup of shows.