Orpheum Theatre (Los Angeles) facts for kids
The Orpheum Theatre marquee
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| Address | 842 S. Broadway Los Angeles, California United States |
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| Owner | Anjac Fashion Buildings |
| Capacity | 2,000 |
| Current use | Concerts, movie premieres, location shoots |
| Construction | |
| Opened | February 15, 1926 |
| Rebuilt | 1989 |
| Architect | G. Albert Lansburgh Robert Brown Young |
The Orpheum Theatre is a famous building located at 842 S. Broadway in Downtown Los Angeles. It first opened its doors on February 15, 1926. This theater was the fourth and last place in Los Angeles for the Orpheum Circuit, which was a popular group of theaters that showed vaudeville acts. Vaudeville was a type of live show with many different performances, like singing, dancing, comedy, and magic.
After a big $3 million makeover that started in 1989, the Orpheum Theatre is now one of the most beautifully restored old movie palaces in the city. Before this one, three other theaters in Los Angeles were also called Orpheum.
The Orpheum has a grand and fancy front, called a Beaux Arts facade. It was designed by a famous movie theater architect named G. Albert Lansburgh. Inside, it has a special musical instrument called a Mighty Wurlitzer organ, which was put in back in 1928. This huge pipe organ is one of only three left in Southern California.
The Orpheum theaters are named after Orpheus, a hero from ancient Greek stories.
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History of Orpheum Theaters in Los Angeles
The Orpheum vaudeville circuit used several different places in Los Angeles over the years. The very first one was the Grand Opera House, which was also known as the Grand Theater. It was located at 110 S. Main Street and opened in 1884.
The second Orpheum theater was at 227 S. Spring Street. It opened in 1888 and was later called the Lyceum Theatre. The third Orpheum theater is still standing today at 630 S. Broadway and is now known as the Palace Theatre.
Famous Performers at the Orpheum
When the Orpheum Theatre first opened, many famous entertainers performed there. These included the funny Marx Brothers, the talented Will Rogers, and the amazing singer Judy Garland. She even sang there with her family when she was a little girl, known as Frances "Baby" Gumm. Comedian Jack Benny also performed on its stage.
Jazz music legends like Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, and Duke Ellington also played at the Orpheum. Even as late as 1950, vaudeville acts were still performing there.
In the 1960s, the theater became a popular spot for rock 'n' roll concerts. Stars like Little Richard, Aretha Franklin, and Little Stevie Wonder rocked the stage. Today, the restored Orpheum Theatre is still a busy place. It hosts live concerts, movie premieres, and is often used for filming movies and TV shows. The band HIM recorded their live CD/DVD album Digital Versatile Doom here. The 2010 Streamy Awards were also broadcast live from the theater.
Orpheum on Screen: Filming Location
The Orpheum Theatre is a popular spot for filming. You might have seen it in some of your favorite TV shows, movies, or music videos!
Television Shows Filmed Here
- Julie and the Phantoms
- American Idol (Hollywood Week for several seasons)
- America's Got Talent
- The Apprentice (season 5 finale)
- RuPaul's Drag Race (season 7, 8 and 11 finales)
- Hollywood (miniseries)
- Pretty Little Liars (season 4 finale and season 5 episode 1)
- Angel (1999 TV series) (season 3 episode 13)
- Glee (season 5 episode 11)
- A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote (The West Wing (TV Series 1999-2006) (2020 Special Cast Reunion))
- IHOP commercial (2024)
Movies Filmed Here
- Last Action Hero (1993)
- Why Do Fools Fall in Love (1998)
- A Mighty Wind (2003)
- Spider-Man 3 (2007)
- Transformers (2007)
- Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007)
- In Search of a Midnight Kiss (2007)
- Hop (2011)
- The Shape of Water (2017)
Music Videos Filmed Here
- Akon - “Lonely”
- Avril Lavigne - "I'm With You"
- The Backstreet Boys - "Shape of my heart"
- HIM - "Digital Versatile Doom"
- Kelly Rowland - "Can't Nobody"
- Guns N' Roses - "November Rain"
- Brandi Carlile - "The Story"
- Michael Jackson - "Thriller"
- Taylor Swift - "Mean"
See also
