The theatre was designed by George Keister, and opened on February 13, 1911, starting with George M. Cohan's Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford, which moved from the Gaiety Theatre which Cohan also owned.

[1][2][3][4] Cohan considered the theatre to be a celebration of his career, with exhibits and murals of his work on display.

In 1915, Cohan and his partner Sam H. Harris sold the theatre to Joe Leblang, a big discount ticket seller.

[5] The theatre started also showing motion pictures by the early 1920s on the weekend, eventually making more money through that source than plays.

The entire Fitzgerald Building and the theatre in which it was housed was demolished in late 1938.