Orpheum Theatre (Omaha) facts for kids
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The Orpheum
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Exterior of venue, showcasing the marquee (c. 2013)
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| Address | 409 S 16th St Omaha, Nebraska 68102-2602 |
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| Location | Downtown Omaha |
| Owner | City of Omaha |
| Operator | Omaha Performing Arts Society |
| Capacity | 2,600 |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | June 1926 |
| Opened | October 10, 1927 |
| Renovated |
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| Closed | April 29, 1971 |
| Reopened | January 17, 1975 |
| Construction cost | $ 2 million ($33.1 million in 2022 dollars ) |
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Orpheum Theater
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| Architect |
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| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001061 |
| Added to NRHP | March 26, 1973 |
The Orpheum Theater is a historic building in Omaha, Nebraska. It is a popular place for live performances. The theater hosts exciting shows like the Broadway Season, which brings famous plays to Omaha. It also hosts the Opera Omaha season.
The Orpheum Theater is so important that it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a special building recognized for its history. The main stage area is called "Slosburg Hall." It has a special theatre organ made by Wurlitzer, which is a type of musical instrument.
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History of the Orpheum Theater
The land where the Orpheum Theater stands today has a long history. Before the current building, there was another theater called the "Creighton Theater." It was built in 1895 by a group of people led by John A. McShane.
The Creighton Theater was named after John A. Creighton, a kind person who helped the community. A large picture of him was even painted above the stage! This theater later joined the Orpheum Circuit. This was a big group of theaters across the western United States. By 1900, the circuit had theaters in nine cities, including Omaha. Eventually, the name "Creighton" was removed from the theater's name.
From Vaudeville to Movies
By 1926, people wanted a bigger and better theater. So, the current Orpheum Theater was built on the same spot. It opened its doors in 1927. In the past, theaters often showed "vaudeville" acts. These were live shows with different performers like singers, dancers, and comedians.
But as times changed, vaudeville became less popular. So, from the 1940s until 1971, the Orpheum Theater became a movie theater. It was a popular spot to catch a film downtown.
Bringing Live Shows Back
In 1972, a group called the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben bought the building. They spent $2 million to fix it up and bring live performances back. The theater reopened in 1975 as a place for arts and culture once again.
In 2002, the Omaha Performing Arts Society took over managing the Orpheum. They invested another $10 million to make the theater even better. These updates allowed the stage to hold bigger and more complex sets for shows.
In 2004, a cool feature called the "Skylink" was added. It's a 200-foot-long, enclosed walkway that connects the theater to a parking garage. This makes it much easier and more comfortable for people to get to the shows, especially in bad weather.
Recent Updates
The Orpheum Theater continues to be updated. In 2013, the old steel sign outside was replaced with a modern digital display. This new sign can show bright, electronic messages. The lobby also got new LED posters.
In the summer of 2017, the theater received a $3 million update. This included fresh paint, new carpets, and a refresh of the seating. These changes help keep the historic Orpheum Theater looking great for everyone who visits!
See also
