The Oakdale Theater on South Turnpike Road has been the place to go for entertainment since 1954. It started as a small theater in a tent with canvas roof and round stage in the middle. The seats were old wooden bleacher seats that pushed up to make room to walk in the isle. It attracted a lot of top comedy acts and musical performers through the 70s. In 1972 a permanent roof was put in and the seating capacity doubled to 3200.
In 1996, the theater was completely remodeled and the old theater is now the lobby for a larger theater that is open all year round. Though not the same feel as the old theater, but Oakdale Theater brings good entertainment to central Connecticut at a reasonable price.