Missouri Theatre (Columbia, Missouri) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Missouri Theater
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 Location in Missouri
Location in the United States
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| Location | 201-215 S. 9th St., Columbia, Missouri |
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| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1928 |
| Architect | Boller Brothers |
| NRHP reference No. | 79001349 |
| Added to NRHP | June 6, 1979 |
The Missouri Theatre is a cool place in downtown Columbia, Missouri. It's a concert hall and entertainment spot. The building looks like the famous Opéra Garnier in Paris, France. It was designed by the Boller Brothers and built in 1928. This historic building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
It's the only old movie palace and vaudeville stage left in Columbia from before the Great Depression. Since 2014, the University of Missouri has owned the theatre. It is the main home for the Missouri Symphony Orchestra. Many University of Missouri and local groups also use it for performances.
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History of the Missouri Theatre
The Missouri Theatre first opened its doors on October 5, 1928. It cost over $400,000 to build back then. That's like more than $4.5 million today! Newspapers like the Columbia Daily Tribune announced its grand opening. They called it a "Showhouse of Unrivaled Beauty" that would "Dazzle and Thrill You."
Famous people sent messages to congratulate the theatre managers. These included telegrams from United Artist in Hollywood. Even actors like Charlie Chaplin and Gloria Swanson sent their best wishes. On opening night, the performers included the Missouri Rockettes. They later became the famous Radio City Rockettes! Jack Keith and his Missouri Orchestra also played. Some people even say that Bob Hope performed there. The theatre showed movies and hosted live shows until 1953.
Changes Over the Years
The Missouri Theatre was very big and fancy, which made it hard to keep up. In 1953, a company called Commonwealth Theaters, Inc. leased it. They ran it as a single-screen movie theater until 1983. In 1979, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special historical site.
More and more movie theaters with many screens started opening in Columbia. This made it tough for the Missouri Theatre. So, on January 7, 1988, the Missouri Symphony Society bought it.
In 2002, the Missouri Symphony Society started plans to make the theatre even better. They wanted to turn it into the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts (MTCA). In 2005, their "Hot Summer Nights Music Festival" was a huge hit. More than 11,200 music fans came to enjoy concerts. These concerts featured Maestro Kirk Trevor, the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, and famous guest artists.
Restoration and New Beginnings
On July 28, 2007, the theatre began a big restoration project. This happened after the Hot Summer Nights Music Festival ended. The next summer, the fully restored Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts reopened. The famous singer Tony Bennett performed there, along with the Hot Summer Nights Music Festival. The renovations added a new second floor with offices. They also built a 2,500 square foot patio on the roof!
In 2011, the Missouri Theatre became the home for the University Concert Series. It is now a place for many performance groups from the University of Missouri School of Music. The University of Missouri officially took over ownership of the theatre on July 1, 2014.
Amazing Architecture and Design
The inside of the Missouri Theatre is incredibly fancy. It has a detailed baroque and rococo style. This design was popular during the time of French kings Louis XIV and XV. The Boller Brothers Architects from Kansas City, Missouri designed it after the Paris Opera House.
Many original details are still there today. You can see beautiful Belgian marble on the walls. There are also fancy plaster designs and colorful stained glass. One of the most amazing features is a huge 1,800-pound Italian chandelier. It has sparkling crystal prisms and etched glass panels. Long ago, the deep red carpet in the main lobby even had the Great Seal of Missouri and the letter M woven into it.
Missouri Symphony Orchestra Home
The Missouri Theatre is the home of the Missouri Symphony Orchestra (MSO). This is mid-Missouri's only professional symphony orchestra. The Missouri Symphony Society started the MSO in 1976. Its musicians come from all over the United States and the world.
The MSO has an eight-week season each year called the Hot Summer Nights Music Festival. This happens in June and July. They also tour around the state and beyond. The Kansas City Star newspaper has praised the MSO. They said the orchestra performs with "energy and elan, as well as secure technique." Maestro Kirk Trevor has directed the MSO since 2001.
Arts Education Programs
Besides the Missouri Symphony Society's concerts, the Missouri Theatre also hosts many arts education programs. These programs help young people learn about music and arts. Some of the groups and events that use the theatre include:
- MOSS Youth Orchestra
- MOSS Junior Strings
- MOSS Children's Choir
- University Concert Series
- University of Missouri School of Music
- Plowman Chamber Music Competition
- True/False Film Festival
Images for kids
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The beautiful interior of the Missouri Theatre.
