Opened in 1952 as the Jones Beach Marine Theater, the venue originally had 8,200 seats and hosted musicals. Moses had several boxes designated for his own use - Moses' friend Guy Lombardo performed often in the early years. The opening show was the operetta extravaganza "A Night in Venice" by Johann Strauss II, produced by film producer, Mike Todd, complete with floating gondolas and starring Enzo Stuarti, Norwood Smith and Nola Fairbanks.
Lombardo's final show was the 1977 production of Finian's Rainbow, with Christoper Hewett in the title role. After Lombardo's death in 1977, the series resumed in 1978 with Annie Get Your Gun, starring Lucie Arnaz.
The original design of the theater had a "moat" — the stage was actually on Zachs Bay and separated from the beach, and performers could be brought to the stage by boat (some scenes had floating scenery).
The moat was covered or filled in during the first renovation and seats closer to the stage were installed. The Guy Lombardo Orchestra would pass through the "moat" on a yacht during the intermissions. The band would play tunes while floating in front of the audience.