Orpheum Theatre (Sioux City, Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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New Orpheum Theatre
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The main stage and curtain at the Sioux City Orpheum
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 528 Pierce St. Sioux City, Iowa |
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| Built | 1927 |
| Architect | Rapp & Rapp |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, French Renaissance |
| NRHP reference No. | 00000919 |
| Added to NRHP | August 25, 2000 |
The Orpheum Theatre is a cool performing arts center in Sioux City, Iowa. It's also called the New Orpheum Theatre or Orpheum Electric Building. This amazing building, located at 528 S. Pierce Street, was built in 1927. Back then, it was a place for live shows called vaudeville and also a grand movie palace. The theatre was brought back to life in 1999. Today, it is the home of the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra.
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The Orpheum's Early Days
The Sioux City Orpheum was designed by a famous Chicago company called Rapp & Rapp. It was built in 1927 as part of the Orpheum Circuit, a group of theatres across the country. A local Sioux City businessman, Arthur Sanford, was the main builder.
A Grand Theatre for Iowa
The Orpheum was one of the biggest theatres in Iowa when it opened. Building it was a big financial risk for Mr. Sanford. It cost about $1.75 million to construct. This once very fancy theatre had a huge auditorium with 2,650 seats. It had three levels for people to sit.
Inside, the theatre was truly special. It featured a Wurlitzer pipe organ, half-circle boxes for special seating, and beautiful hand-carved details. There was also shiny gold decoration, several sparkling crystal chandeliers, and a ceiling painted by hand.
Famous Performers and Shows
Over the years, the Orpheum hosted many different kinds of shows. It was used for symphony concerts, ballet performances, and other special events. Many famous entertainers performed there. Some of these stars included Fred Astaire, Tallulah Bankhead, and Katharine Hepburn.
Bringing the Orpheum Back to Life
Over many years, the Orpheum Theatre was changed several times. These changes were not always good for the building's original look.
The Theatre's Dark Period
In 1982, the theatre was "twinned." This means it was cut into two smaller movie houses. A wall of sheetrock was put right down the middle aisle. These two smaller movie theatres kept running until 1992. For the first time in 65 years, the Orpheum went dark. This means it closed down completely.
A Big Restoration Project
The theatre's reconstruction began in 1999. Ray Shepardson, a well-known theatre restoration expert, oversaw the project. Architect Ed Storm from FEH DESIGN in Sioux City also helped. The restoration cost almost $12 million.
During the renovation, something amazing happened. Three of the original crystal chandeliers were found. They were still in good condition, hidden above a dropped ceiling. One of the hardest parts of the project was rebuilding the balcony and the special loge boxes. This part took four months to finish. It also required 40,000 pounds of steel!
Reopening and New Life
The Orpheum Theater officially reopened to the public on September 15, 2001. A reporter named Robert Morast wrote about it in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader. He said the Orpheum felt like a fancy old theatre from a black-and-white movie. But now, it was given a bright, colorful "Technicolor" treatment. He felt the atmosphere alone was worth the price of admission.
Since its reopening, many popular artists have performed at the Orpheum. These include Bill Cosby, Sheryl Crow, B.B. King, Bob Dylan, Olivia Newton-John, Wynton Marsalis, and David Copperfield. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. This means it is recognized as an important historical place.
See also
- Movie palaces list
