Waverly Theater
The Waverly Theater was a Walter Reade Group theater in New York City that was the first location in the country to play The Rocky Horror Picture Show as an exclusive, on-going Midnight-only movie on a weekly basis. It played there from April 1, 1976 through January 28, 1978. The Rocky Horror Picture Show Official Fan Club was started by members of the Waverly's regular audience in 1977, prior to their relocation to the 8th Street Playhouse in March, 1978.
With the early success of Rocky Horror at the Waverly, The New Yorker at 88th and Broadway in Manhattan (also owned by the Walter Reade chain) began showing midnight screenings on Saturday and Sunday in June of 1976. After the Waverly ceased Midnight screenings of Rocky Horror, the theater began showing other cult films in its place. At that time, Rocky Horror opened to Reade's Festival (at 57th at 5th ave) where it remained until early 1980.
In 1982, the Waveryly became a twin theater, with 2 screens (the Waverly 1 & Waverly 2). In February of 1992, Shock Treatment was shown at the Waverly 2 on Friday and Saturday nights, eventually switching to the Waverly 1 through the end of July, 1982
The historic building, originally built as a church in the early 19th century, is currently operated as the IFC Center with 3 screens.
