Since 1983, Ruth Eckerd Hall has been synonymous with epic live entertainment, Broadway tours, world class concerts, arts education, and so much more. As a multi-use, multi-genre, cultural epicenter for Clearwater and beyond, Ruth Eckerd Hall has set a high standard for top tier entertainment for over four decades.
But, do you know the story of how the beloved Ruth Eckerd Hall came to be? Here we’ll share the beginnings of the Clearwater jewel – how the historic Kapok Tree Inn was integral to its existence, and how it’s grown with the community. We’ll talk to President & CEO, Susan M. Crocket, whose own personal history is richly intertwined with that of the institution she loves, and we’ll relive some of the most iconic moments at REH through the years while looking ahead to future plans and upcoming powerhouse dates.
How a Tree Planted the Seeds of a Cultural Legacy
Even though it closed its doors in 1991. The Kapok Tree Inn enhanced forever our area’s restaurant culture, becoming as popular as any roadside Florida attraction. Many still remember the Baumgardner family, who owned and ran the much loved venue built near and named for the massive Kapok tree that stood guard over acres of Clearwater orange groves.
Richard B. Baumgardner proudly grew his family’s legacy of serving good farm fresh food to tourists and locals alike and built the Kapok Tree Inn into a culinary mainstay as well as a precious piece of Florida history.
At the time of Mr. Baumgardner’s death in 1976, Clearwater officials were trying to plan to build a new municipal auditorium in the style of the then Bayfront Center. (Now The Mahaffey) Voters were not of like minds, however, and a measure to proceed with such a complex failed. Enter June Baumgardner, widow of the late restauranteer, to salvage the dream. She donated 38 acres of property to the City with two conditions: that the build begin within two years and that it bear the name of her husband. Under the supervision of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, in 1983, The Richard B. Baumgardner Center for the Performing Arts opened with a performance by the Suzuki Children of Japan.
You may be wondering, wait, isn’t it named Ruth Eckerd Hall? Well, yes and no. Ruth Eckerd Hall, which has become synonymous with the venue, refers to the performance auditorium itself – a space that Jack and Ruth Eckerd, of drug store fame, as fundraisers and founders were instrumental in building. The entire complex, which includes Ruth Eckerd Hall, the Murray Theatre (Home of Marcia P. Hoffman student productions), the Margaret Heye Great Room, and more is still and formally known as The Richard B. Baumgardner Center for the Performing Arts. A statue of the late namesake was dedicated in 1987.
Since 1983, there has been nothing but growth including facelifts and major renovations along the way, as well as the additions of BayCare Sound and The Bilheimer Capitol Theatre. •
The Interview
TA: How long have you been Ruth Eckerd Hall President & CEO? How do you see yourself upholding the legacy of this storied institution?
SMC: “I was appointed President & CEO in 2018, but having been with the organization since 1988, I’ve had a front-row seat watching the Ruth Eckerd Hall story unfold. I’ve seen the area develop, bringing more entertainment options and competition for our patron’s attention. I witnessed educational priorities shift, nudging arts education out in a competition for limited school resources and student’s time. Programming had to evolve to remain relevant, meeting the tastes and needs of the community and ensuring access to arts for each generation. Infrastructure was reinvented as technology rapidly transformed how we serve our customers. Lots of change. What has never changed is the passion of our staff, our patrons, our students, and our artists. Today’s audiences are just as excited as our first audiences were when the lights go down. Today’s donors are just as committed to our mission as our founders were. Our team, although double in size, still refers to itself as a family, welcoming those who enter our home. That’s the legacy I am actually aware of and stewarding – that means ensuring quality experiences for those we serve each time we reach deeper or grow larger.”
TA: What do you consider to be one of Ruth Eckerd Hall’s most fascinating historic facts?
SMC: “I laugh at myself when I share this memory from my early days at the Hall. I received a call to rent the auditorium for a business presentation. It must have been 1989 or so. It was my job to draw up the contract on my electrictric typewriter and coordinate all the details. The morning came and my contact arrived with her boss who would be making the presentation. I escorted them around, so he could get comfortable with the space and where his guests would be. Bill Gates drew a nice crowd that day who came to see him demonstrate a new product called “Windows.” I was clueless!”
TA: What do you see as Ruth Eckerd hall’s place/contribution to the arts community?
SMC: “While many may associate Ruth Eckerd Hall with Motown, Woodstock, or classic rock legends, the digital generation flocks to see their favorite Social media star at the Bilheimer Capitol Theatre or to dance the night away at an EDM festival at the BayCare Sound. From stand-up comedy to musicals, country to jazz, offering an exciting and diverse programming mix is core to our identity – making us unique in both volume of shows and variety.”
TA: How did the BayCare Sound and Bilheimer Capitol Theatre come to be, and how do they compliment Ruth Eckerd Hall?
SMC: “The Bilheimer Capitol Theatre was built in 1921, accommodating vaudeville tours and screening early motion pictures. People share their memories of Saturday morning cartoon reels and Friday night first dates. But by 2009, it was crumbling, in foreclosure, and likely to be torn down. Ruth Eckerd Hall and the City of Clearwater partnered to save the landmark. It was given new life with updated systems, loge boxes, additional restrooms, and a 1920s facelift. With 700 seats, it provides an intimate experience with a line-up of over 125 shows each year. Several years later, the City reimagined its downtown corridor, including Coachman Park. The plans for the waterfront property included a new bandshell, a feature that traces back to the City’s early days. They determined that investing in additional infrastructure would lead to more use and drive economic growth. The result is the BayCare Sound, a boutique amphithatre that seats 4,000 under a canopy with room for another 5,000 on the lawn. Ruth Eckerd Hall was selected to program and manage the venue. Having multiple stages with a capacity range from 200 to 9,000, plus the flexibility of going from theater-style to cabaret, to comedy club, to outdoor festival, brings endless possibilities.”
TA: Talk about Ruth Eckerd Hall’s legacy of theater education.
SMC: “From its first days, Ruth Eckerd Hall offered student workshops and theater for young audiences. Arts education has always been at the heart of what we do, evolving over time to include a full range of on-site instruction, classes, camps, and student productions. In 2003, the community funded the expansion of education space to meet increasing demand. The new structure was named The Marcia P. Hoffman School for the Arts to honor a Ruth Eckerd Hall Founder and long-term child advocate for arts education. Over the past decade, with a strategic approach to overcome physical and financial barriers, the school also offers services at 31 community sites including Title 1 schools and retirement facilities, bringing the teaching artist to the student. Over 62,000 students participated in 2024, true to the school’s commitment that no child is ever turned away.”
TA: What are some of yor favorite shows, and is there a record of most successful show(s)?
SMC: “I believe the record for longest show was our 5th Anniversary Gala – A Night to Remember. It lasted over five hours and featured impersonator, Rich Little, Carol Channing, Alvin Alley Dance Company, Joffrey Ballet, Gregory Hines, and more. Knowing what I know now, I can’t imagine the logistics of pulling that one off! We’ve had so much amazing talent on our stages, from Mikhail Baryshnikov, Yo Yo Ma, Julie Andrews, and Dolly Parton, to Aretha Franklin, Al Pacino, Ed Sheeran, and Johnny Mathis.” (Mathis appeared this past February at age 90.)
TA: Moving Forward, what is the vision for future growth and development? How Does Ruth Eckerd Hall keep its history alive?
SMC: “A priority is ensuring that our facilities remain beautiful and functional, with amenities that wow our guests. We operate three individual facilities, each with its own vibe, so we will continue to develop the artist line-up and fan experience at each. The excitement is still palpable from launching the BayCare Sound, and we’re embracing the opportunity to position it as a top venue in the industry. Feedback from fans and artists alike confirm it’s on its way there. Ruth Eckerd Hall on the Road, our division that books and produces entertainment from Pasco to Lee County continues to grow – and being part of major sporting events, private celebrations, and new festivals energized our team while creating deeper community ties. There are alway ideas being explored. There’s never a shortage of creativity on this team, and I have no doubt, some of what we’re dreaming today, will become a part of legacy.” •
https://www.rutheckerdhall.com/baycare-sound
Photo Credits:
REH exterior: Photo credit – Chris Urso
The BayCare Sound: Credit Chuck Davis
Kenny G at Ruth Eckerd Hall: April 27, 2024 – Photo Credit Tracy May
Capitol Theatre Exterior: Photo Credit – Creative Contractors
MPH Summer Classes – Photo Credit John Wells
