A historic black-and-white promotional photograph showing an exterior view of the Tampa Theatre in Tampa, Florida c. 1943, where a crowd is gathered for the opening night of '42nd Street.' Courtesy of USF Digital Commons, the wide marquee display reads "14 GREAT STARS", "42ND. STREET", and "200 GORGEOUS GIRLS" above a large illuminated rooftop sign featuring "42nd STREET" with costumed cutouts of performers. Below on the street, a large crowd in 1940s attire gathers around vintage automobiles and a horse-drawn carriage parked alongside the sidewalk in front of Hale Drug Co. and adjacent storefronts. — An exterior view of the Tampa Theatre in Tampa, Florida c. 1943, where a crowd is gathered for the opening night of ’42nd Street.’ Credit: Robertson and Fresh Collection of Tampa Photographs. Image 2121. / USF Digital Commons

The schedule for Tampa Theatre’s centennial celebrations is now in full view, and Andy Huse would’ve liked what he saw. The late Tampa historian, archivist, librarian and author passed away last year at the age of 52, but not before filing his final work, “Tampa Theatre: A Century of Stories” set for release on Sept. 22.

To honor Huse’s memory, and begin on a long reflection on Tampa Theatre’s place in the city’s history, Jill Witecki, Vice President, Director of Marketing & Community Relations, together with Joey Hager, Box Office and Operations Manager at the theater, will discuss the book.

Harger was part of a fascinating oral history interview conducted by Huse and Witecki in 2024, and this conversation should add another layer to the local lore. The duo brings the talk to St. Petersburg’s Tombolo Books next month.

Tickets for Tampa Theatre A Century of Stories with Jill Witecki and Joey Hager happening Sunday, Sept. 20 at Oxford Exchange in Tampa are still available for $5.

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This article appears in Sept. 17 – 23, 2026.