Tom Ratliff Civic Theater
103 SW Main
Eldorado, TX 76936
 Ticket or show information: 325-277-0635.

The Tom Ratliff Civic Theater History

        The picture show building, known as The Lone Star Theater, was built in 1930 by Mr. and Mrs. T.K. Jones.  It was built shortly after the Whitten oil well made history.  Having profited from this venture, Mr. Jones wanted to invest in real estate in Eldorado.  To give the town some class, he built the picture show building.  The construction was done by a Mr. Chidester from Menard who also did other construction work for Mr. Jones.  The advent of the oil well triggered growth in the community and several other buildings on Main Street were constructed about the same time.  Despite the fact that it was a boost to the community, some felt that talking pictures would be the downfall of the town. 

        T.K. and his wife sold it to Catherine Creigh Hall in 1944.  It remained in that family until 1961, when Tom Ratliff purchased it from the Halls to house the insurance business he had purchased from his brother Jack Ratliff.  Tom Ratliff modernized the very front of the building only, leaving the auditorium in tact to be used for storage.

        In 1986, Tom Ratliff decided to retire and considered selling the building.  He quoted a selling price which his wife, Winnie Helen considered to be ridiculously low.  She made him a better offer on the spot, and he quickly said, “Sold!”  Tom felt he had made a good business deal, but before the sale could be finalized, he had to put on a new roof and install new air conditioning.  He was not so sure of his good business deal after that!

       In 1986, a community theater group began to produce plays and developed into an organized group called ” The Way Off Broadway Players”.  Their first show was in 1986.  They became incorporated in October of 1989.

        Shortly after incorporating, the group needed a permanent home and they approached Winnie Helen about the possibility of purchasing the old picture show from her.  To their great surprise and delight she gave them the building on March 16, 1994.  She stipulated that it be called the “Tom Ratliff Civic Theater” in memory of her husband Tom who died September 3, 1991.  The Way Off Broadway Players as well as the community were deeply grateful, and plans for renovation were started immediately.  The renovation was done by Herman Walker Construction of Eldorado. 

        The Way Off Broadway Players are a non-profit, tax exempt corporation (501-C corporation).  There has been wonderful support from the community and neighboring communities from the beginning.

 These pictures are of the ever popular play “Smoke on the Mountain”.

  Not only did they perform in Eldorado, but had tremendous success in the San Angelo Civic Theater.

  It was their longest running play.