CASPER — The iconic downtown landmark Rialto Theater is about to reopen as a venue for comedians, musical acts and events for kids following a major renovation by its new owners.
The theater on the corner of Second and Center streets in downtown Casper was built in 1921 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Partners John Trost, Pete Maxwell, Jake Bigelow and Dennis Corr are making good on their goal of bringing the property back to its origins as a place for locals to see live performances, including vaudeville-style acts.
“We’re opening with Cat in the Hat Breakfast and we’ll be doing one kid event each month, which is a huge need in Casper,” Trost said. “The following month we’ll be doing Princess Tea Time and shows like that.”
The partners purchased the theater last November and the renovations have been extensive.
The previous owner had taken out all the theater seating from the main floor. But the revamped version will include original seats in the balcony. The main floor has been redesigned for floor tables and mezzanine bar-height chairs with bar tops.
The venue will include a full-service bar as well as new bathrooms, stage area and additional touches on the technical side for sound and lighting to give the facility more functionality for the modern era.
“We kept the classiness of it. It reminds of me of ‘Great Gatsby’ when I walk into it,” Trost said. “It still looks old, and we really went with black and white accents that brings in the historical aspect.”
The Roaring '20s
The theater opened as the New Lyric Theater, a vaudeville venue, according to the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office. It was sold in 1922 and started showing silent films. The first movie was “Nice People” by William deMille accompanied by the Chicago Orchestra.
“The Rialto soon became the premier movie house in Casper with an elaborate exterior and first-run movies accompanied by a women's orchestra,” according to the state Historic Preservation Office. “The Rialto is significant because of the important role the theater played in the city's recreation and entertainment industry.”
In 1928, “talkie” movies took off and the Rialto became a place for special times with a date or family.
In 2004, ownership did extensive renovations in the interior, Trost said. When the pandemic hit in 2020, the theater closed for a year and after that was not able to recover.
Since early this year, extensive renovations at the Rialto Theater have included the main floor area, stage, bathrooms and more. (Courtesy John Trost) 
Since early this year, extensive renovations at the Rialto Theater have included the main floor area, stage, bathrooms and more. (Courtesy John Trost) 
View from the balcony of the Rialto Theater. (Courtesy John Trost) 
The Rialto as a downtown Casper fixture in 1953. (Casper Area Chamber of Commerce Collection) 
The Rialto Theater has been a Casper corner anchor since the 1920s. Here is a photo of the theater from 1989. (Courtesy Wyoming Historic Preservation Office) 
The Rialto Theater in downtown Casper will become a venue for comedy acts, muscians, magicians and kids events. (Dale Killingbeck, Cowboy State Daily)
Curtain Up
“We’ve been super happy with the amount of support we’ve had from the city of Casper and surrounding areas,” he said. “We’ve had people from Sheridan, Gillette, Colorado already book tickets.”
The partners are hoping their emphasis on including kid events for the venue generates the support they need to keep those viable.
“Out of all the concerts and things we’re offering, those are the lowest selling tickets,” Trost said.
Contractors are putting finishing touches on the venue this week in preparation for the grand opening.
More information about events and tickets can be found online.
Dale Killingbeck can be reached at dale@cowboystatedaily.com.
