Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center facts for kids
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Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center
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 Location in Nebraska
Location in the United States
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| Location | 2001 Farnam St., Omaha, Nebraska 68102 |
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| Built | 1926 |
| Architect | John Eberson |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival, Exotic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001108 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 13, 1974 |
The Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center, often called The Rose, is a famous theater in downtown Omaha, Nebraska. It first opened in 1927 as The Riviera. Later, it was known as the Astro Theatre. This beautiful building was constructed in 1926. It mixes two cool styles: Moorish and Classical. The theater was updated in 1986 to become the performing arts center we know today.
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A Theater Like No Other
Designed by a Visionary
A famous architect named John Eberson designed this theater in 1926. He was known for creating "atmospheric" theaters. These special theaters made you feel like you were outdoors. Imagine sitting in a romantic Mediterranean courtyard! The ceiling looked like a night sky. It even had twinkling stars and moving clouds.
What the Building Looks Like
The outside of the building is very grand. It has a large copper dome on top. Two smaller towers stand next to it. The brick walls have a cool diamond pattern. You can also see fancy windows and detailed decorations. There are even columns that hold up statues of griffins. A. H. Blank was the person who had the theater built.
A Grand Opening
When it first opened on March 26, 1927, it was called The Riviera. People thought it was one of the most elegant places in the Midwest. It could seat 2,776 people! The theater showed movies and had amazing live stage shows. Someone once said that visiting The Riviera made everyone feel rich, even if it only cost 60 cents. A big parade with the 17th Infantry Regiment celebrated its opening.
Changes Over the Years
From Riviera to Paramount
In 1929, the theater was very expensive to run. It cost $13,000 every week! So, A. H. Blank sold it to Paramount Pictures. The theater then got a new name: The Paramount. Over the years, it closed several times. This happened in 1934, 1937, 1938, 1940, 1941, and 1942. To try and attract more people, Paramount even put a mini-golf course in the lobby! In June 1952, it stopped showing movies. The live shows in winter were not very popular. So, it closed again. In August 1953, its owner thought about selling or tearing it down.
A Bowling Alley and Back to a Theater
In 1957, Paramount gave up its lease to Creighton University. The building was empty for a few years. Then, it was rented to J.S.B. Amusement. After some changes, it became a bowling alley! But this only lasted for one year. Soon, the building was changed again to become a theater once more.
The Astro Theatre and Beyond
In 1962, it reopened as a movie theater called the Astro Theatre. Dubinsky Brothers ran it. The theater now had 1,465 seats. It continued to show movies until June 1980. In 1974, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site. In October 1980, it was also named an Omaha landmark.
The Astro Theatre closed again and faced being torn down. But on June 24, 1981, Rose Blumkin bought it. She was famous for starting the Nebraska Furniture Mart. In the early 1990s, the theater was renovated. It became the Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center. Since 1995, it has been the home of the Omaha Theater Company.
See also
