Today, we’re uncovering the history of an iconic building at the corner of Kelly Avenue and East Waterloo Road in Akron—a site many fondly remember as the Carousel Dinner Theater. Over the years, this building has seen several fascinating transformations, each with its own unique story. Let’s take a journey through its rich and colorful past.
The building was constructed in 1982, with its first major tenant being The Breakaway, a sprawling 50,000-square-foot Vegas-style nightclub. It boasted a 4,000-square-foot dance floor, seating for 3,000 guests, a parking lot for 1,000 cars, and a focus on big-band entertainment. The venue also aspired to host Broadway musicals, dinner theater, conventions, sales meetings, and civic events.
The Breakaway was operated by National Entertainment Centers Inc. (NECI) and funded by a $4 million investment from 1,200 investors—800 of whom were from the Akron-Canton area. Thanks to this strong local support, the project launched debt-free, leasing the building from the City of Akron. Its grand opening on December 7, 1982—coinciding with the 41st anniversary of Pearl Harbor—featured performances by the Glenn Miller Revival, Verne Byer’s Moonlight Serenaders, and The Four Lads and Their Ladies.
In its first year, The Breakaway hosted big-name stars like Andy Williams, Bob Hope, Tony Bennett, Wayne Newton, and Roy Clark. Despite its star-studded lineup, financial troubles began to surface by the end of its inaugural season.
By late 1983, NECI reported a $1 million loss, leading to bankruptcy filings. Investors attempted to salvage the project, rebranding it as the NECI Convention Center in 1985. However, this new iteration was short-lived, shutting down by the end of 1986. The building was eventually sold to the City of Akron in bankruptcy court for just over $1 million, leaving many investors with significant losses.
Many may not know that the Carousel Dinner Theater originally opened in Ravenna, Ohio, on April 3, 1973. With a capacity of 500 guests, it was founded by David Fulford, who also produced shows at the Canal Fulton Summer Arena. Carousel specialized in Broadway-style comedies, serving buffet-style meals and cocktails. Fulford later converted the Canal Fulton location into a dinner theater, renaming it the Canal Fulton Dinner Playhouse.
The Ravenna Carousel debuted with The Last of the Red Hot Lovers, starring Arte Johnson, best known for his role on TV’s Laugh-In.
By 1987, Carousel had outgrown its Ravenna location and announced plans to relocate to Akron, taking over the former Breakaway nightclub. Renovations to the building proved costly, with $450,000 spent to meet fire codes and repair the deteriorating parking lot, exceeding the original $350,000 budget. To close out the Ravenna chapter, Carousel staged Big Bad Burlesque, a production directed by Don Brockett, best known for his appearances on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.
Carousel’s new Akron location opened on March 11, 1988, with a production of 42nd Street starring Elizabeth French and Lowell Harris. For years, the theater delighted audiences with high-quality Broadway-style productions paired with fine dining, becoming a cherished part of Akron’s cultural scene.
By the late 2000s, the Carousel faced mounting challenges. Changing entertainment preferences, declining interest in dinner theaters, and the high costs of producing large-scale shows while maintaining fine dining strained its operations. The 2008 economic downturn further hurt the theater, as disposable income for entertainment dwindled.
In a controversial move, the Carousel announced its closure after its final production, All Shook Up, in 2009. The announcement came just weeks before the new season was set to begin, leaving season pass holders without refunds.
Shortly after, the property and its 11 acres went up for sale at $2 million but found no buyers. In November 2010, the building was auctioned, with J.W. Didado Electric winning the bid for $470,000 and planning to make it their headquarters.
In 2011, the building found a new purpose when it was sold to Community Baptist Temple. The congregation undertook renovations to transform the former theater into a place of worship. By March 2017, the church officially moved into its new home, marking yet another chapter for this historic structure. Today, in 2024, the building remains occupied by Community Baptist Temple.
What are your memories of The Carousel Dinner Theater or The Breakaway Nightclub? Share your thoughts in the comments below! And if you enjoyed this video, be sure to like and subscribe—more fascinating history content is on the way! Thanks for watching and remember to get out there and explore!
address:
1275 E Waterloo Rd, Akron, OH 44306
1435 Kelly Ave, Akron, OH 44306
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