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 historic theater in downtown Columbia, Missouri. It was built in 1928 and designed to look like the famous Opéra Garnier in Paris, France. It is the only theater in Columbia that was built before the Great Depression for both movies and live stage shows called vaudeville.
Today, the theater is owned by the University of Missouri. It is the main home of the Missouri Symphony Orchestra and is used for many concerts and events. Because of its importance, the Missouri Theatre is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
A Grand Opening and a Long History
Building a Palace
The Missouri Theatre opened on October 5, 1928. It cost over $400,000 to build, which would be more than $4.5 million today. Local newspapers called it a "Showhouse of Unrivaled Beauty" and said its "Magnificent Splendor... Will Dazzle and Thrill You."
On its opening night, the theater received congratulatory messages from famous actors like Charlie Chaplin and Gloria Swanson. The show featured the Missouri Rockettes, who later became the famous Radio City Rockettes. For many years, the theater showed movies and hosted live performances.
Saving the Theatre
By the 1950s, the large and fancy theater was hard to take care of. From 1953 to 1983, it was used mainly as a single-screen movie theater. When new movie theaters with multiple screens opened in Columbia, the Missouri Theatre struggled.
To save the historic building, the Missouri Symphony Society bought it in 1988. This group is dedicated to supporting music in the area.
Restoration and Reopening
In 2007, a major project began to restore the theater to its original beauty. The work was finished the next year, and the theater reopened with a concert by the famous singer Tony Bennett. The renovation also added new offices and a rooftop patio.
Since 2011, the University of Missouri has managed the theater. It is now a key venue for the University of Missouri School of Music and hosts many performances throughout the year.
Step Inside a European Palace
The inside of the Missouri Theatre was designed by the Boller Brothers, architects from Kansas City, Missouri. They were inspired by the fancy styles of old French palaces from the time of kings Louis XIV and Louis XV. This style is known for being very detailed and grand.
Many of the original decorations are still there today. These include:
- Walls lined with beautiful Belgian marble.
- Detailed plaster designs on the walls and ceiling.
- Colorful stained glass windows.
- A huge chandelier from Italy that weighs 1,800 pounds. It is decorated with sparkling crystals and etched glass.
At one time, the lobby had a deep red carpet with the Great Seal of Missouri and the letter "M" woven into its design.
Home of the Symphony
The Missouri Theatre is the official home of the Missouri Symphony Orchestra (MSO). This is the only professional symphony orchestra based in central Missouri. The MSO was founded in 1976 and includes talented musicians from all over the country and the world.
The orchestra's main season is the Hot Summer Nights Music Festival, which takes place every June and July. The MSO, led by Maestro Kirk Trevor, performs a wide variety of music and often features famous guest artists.
A Place for Young Artists
The Missouri Theatre is not just for professional musicians. It is also a center for arts education and supports many programs for young people. These programs help students learn about and perform music.
Some of the groups and events hosted at the theater include:
- MOSS Youth Orchestra
- MOSS Junior Strings
- MOSS Children's Choir
- University Concert Series
- Performances by the University of Missouri School of Music
- Plowman Chamber Music Competition
- True/False Film Festival
