The Allen Theatre, located on Main Street in Annville, PA, has been a meeting place since the early 1900s, when it was known as the “Hippodrome.” In the late ’20s, it was renamed The Astor, which hosted locals and travelers into the 1970s. In the early ’80s, it was shut down, and the history of the historic theatre was left in limbo.
In 1992, Skip Hicks, a retired educator, purchased the theatre with the dream of bringing it back to its former glory. He renovated the old, dilapidated building into a beautiful art-deco-inspired cinema, renaming it The Allen Theatre after his father. A total rebuild—replacing the screen, curtains, projector, stage, and seating—was performed, along with the addition of a café. Reviving the venue, Skip created a place for cinephiles, musicians, and the local community to enjoy. In 2018, it was acquired by Lebanon natives Edward and Sue Felty, who updated the sound system to help showcase live events. In 2024, Michael Cantor and Cindy Vejar purchased the building with the vision of creating a mutual space for all creative people while also continuing Skip’s dream.
Michael, a bookstore owner turned magician, had spent his time in the early ’90s immersed in the Baltimore music and arts scene. He started Salamander Bookstore, a fixture of the local community, and became connected to the people in the area. Learning magic tricks and prop-making from his mentor, Denny Haney, he started performing magic shows and eventually moved away from the Baltimore area, shutting down his physical bookstore while maintaining it online. After a couple of moves and some years later, he and his wife Cindy moved to Annville, where she is a program director and associate professor of clinical mental health counseling at Lebanon Valley College.
Her connections to the local community, along with Michael’s magic performances, led them to Edward Felty, who, after meeting the couple at a magic show and hearing their vision for the Allen Theatre, helped make the dream come true by working out a deal they couldn’t refuse.
Michael, now performing less, was looking for the feeling of community he had in Baltimore. Together, they saw what the Allen Theatre could be and signed papers in June of 2024. They revamped The Backstage Café into the Salamander Bookstore, bringing in an eclectic collection of novels, oddities, musical gear, and artwork that can keep you busy for hours scouring the walls and racks—from a dessert case turned vintage distortion pedal display to the Star Trek Enterprise hanging above the sci-fi section. Books, CDs, movies, artwork, guitars—all for sale and trade.
As you walk further, it hits you: popcorn. Ah, the sweet smell of popcorn grabs your nose and drags you into the grand entrance of the theatre hall, whisking you back in time as you descend into the theatre. It’s hard not to feel nostalgic as you enter the grand room, greeted by the big red curtain as the stage lights come on, the rows of seats leading you down to the stage. The building has a certain magic about it—whether it’s held under Michael and Cindy’s spell or it’s just always been there, you can feel it.
While still showing movies, they have shifted to vintage and classic cinema set in a classic theatre. “It Happened One Night” and “Easter Parade” are recent examples. Silent movies are scored to modern music—Bram Stoker’s Nosferatu set to Radiohead.Their main focus over the last year or so has been transitioning to live music, from elaborate tribute bands and original artists to the First Thursday Jazz Night hosted by Andy Roberts—a tradition at the Allen Theatre that has lasted over 25 years and continues on May 7th. This month features Lebanon Valley jazz faculty members Justin Morrell (guitar), Ryan Kuhns (bass), Larry Marshall (drums), with Andy Roberts on piano. It’s a BYOB event—must have ID and be 21 to drink—but all ages are welcome.
The Allen Theatre is always booking new and exciting bands and has quickly gained a reputation as a sweet spot for touring bands passing through the area. With the ability to seat around 300 people, they also have room for a small dance floor or additional seating depending on the event. With a “green room” for bands and the attached Salamander Bookstore Café, it gives artists and concertgoers a close, personal feel where everyone can mingle and relax. The atmosphere it creates is the main reason Michael and Cindy love what they do—interacting with the people and the artists at events makes each one special.
The Allen has the year stacked with events. This month, they start with “Sir Paul,” a Paul McCartney tribute on May 2nd; the Chicago tribute “Make Me Smile” on the 9th; and “The Flying Circus,” a New Jersey-based Led Zeppelin tribute, on the 16th. Breaking into electronica on May 17th is the Low Voltage Café, featuring electronic/ambient music by Chasing Ghosts, Andrew Calaman, The Attaché, and Bobby Yagodich—another event created to give artists a place to showcase their talents with like-minded people.
On the 22nd, it’s “Lights Out,” a four-part harmony group hailed as “America’s #1 Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons tribute band,” followed on the 29th by a new local tribute band creating a lot of buzz: “Van Wirsing,” a Van Halen tribute focusing on the “Diamond Dave” era. This powerhouse of local musicians derives its name from guitar player Eric Wirsing, a lifelong Eddie Van Halen disciple and guitar virtuoso himself. On vocals is Glenn Hamilton, morning show host for 97.3 WRVV “The River.” He not only controls the airwaves but also the microphone and is no stranger to the stage. Mike Washkevich on bass, Ffej Herb on drums, and Mike Bitts on keys and backing vocals round out the band. After just a few shows, this group has already created a lot of hype and had a couple of sold-out gigs—so if you’re interested in catching them before they really blow up, get your tickets now, as many of the larger shows at The Allen do sell out.
To end the month, it’s The DiscoTeks on the 30th, formed by Odell Mickens, former bassist of the legendary disco group The Trammps. This dynamic eight-piece brings you back to the ’70s with explosive horns, high-energy grooves, and harmonizing vocals that will get the dance floor hopping. Dressed to fit the bill, this is an all-out disco explosion.
Upcoming events include “Shadows of the Night” (Pat Benatar tribute), comedian Keith Alberstadt, “La Grange” (ZZ Top tribute), “Given to Fly” (Pearl Jam tribute), “Hardwired” (Metallica tribute), and a special performance by Nektar on August 8th as the final show in the “MO’s Farewell Tour: Epics and Classics,” plus a special set of King Crimson.
The mix of music reflects the couple’s vast musical influences. Michael lists Rush, Blue Öyster Cult, and Pink Floyd, while Cindy enjoys everything from The Beatles and Floyd to Metallica and Pearl Jam.
Always up for new discussions, they have started a podcast, which you can find on the Allen Theatre Facebook page, and have begun hosting “Talking With, Not At: Debate and Donuts.” It’s an ongoing series designed to create a space for open debate and thoughtful exchange between different sides of the aisle—tackling current events and talking through both sides of topics to bring back the common ground and discussion the country needs.
Michael and Cindy feel grateful for the community that has been so accepting and plan to continue the traditions started by Skip back in the ’90s—as a place for cinephiles, musicians, artists, friends, and like-minded people to meet and engage in the arts and music. For them, the Allen Theatre is more than just a venue; it’s a living, breathing space shaped by the people who walk through its doors, each show adding another layer to its story.
If you are in the area, please stop by the Salamander Bookstore and Café for a visit—take your time, look around, and maybe strike up a conversation or two. Make plans and get your tickets now before your favorite show sells out. For more info and upcoming events, check out the links below
