Tivoli Theatre (Chattanooga, Tennessee) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Tivoli Theatre
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 Location in Tennessee
Location in the United States
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| Location | 709 Broad Street Chattanooga, Tennessee |
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| Built | 1919-1921 |
| Architect | R. H. Hunt; Rapp and Rapp |
| Architectural style | Beaux Arts |
| MPS | Reuben H. Hunt Buildings in Hamilton County TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001779 |
| Added to NRHP | April 11, 1973 |
The Tivoli Theatre, often called the "Jewel of the South", is a famous old theatre in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It first opened its doors on March 19, 1921. This beautiful building was designed by well-known architects Rapp and Rapp from Chicago and Reuben H. Hunt from Chattanooga. It cost about $750,000 to build between 1919 and 1921. The Tivoli was special because it was one of the very first public buildings in the United States to have air conditioning!
The theatre was named Tivoli after a town in Italy. It has cream-colored tiles and beige bricks. You can't miss its big red, black, and white sign with 1,000 sparkling lights. A large black neon sign also spells out TIVOLI with even more lights.
Contents
Inside the Tivoli: What It's Like
The Tivoli Theatre is a grand place with lots of space for people to watch shows. It can hold more than 1,750 people in total.
Seating and Stage Details
- The main floor, called the orchestra, has 1,012 seats.
- There are 48 seats in the upper boxes.
- The loge section has 78 seats.
- The upper balcony holds 312 people.
- The lower balcony also has 312 seats.
- An extra 104 seats can be added in the orchestra pit area.
The stage itself is quite large. It is about 44 feet (13.4 meters) deep and 99 feet (30.2 meters) long. The fancy arch around the stage, called the proscenium, is decorated in silver and gold. It is about 47 feet and 8 inches (14.5 meters) wide and 26 feet (7.9 meters) high.
The Mighty Wurlitzer Organ
The Tivoli has had two main music systems over the years. When it first opened in 1921, it used a Bennett Pipe Organ. This was replaced in 1924 with a huge Wurlitzer organ that cost $30,000. This amazing instrument, known as the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ 235 Special, was installed to play live music for silent films and stage shows. It's incredible to think that the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ is still playing today, over a century later!
A Look Back: The Tivoli's Story
The Tivoli Theatre was built in a style called Beaux Arts, which was popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This style made the theatre look very grand and artistic.
Beautiful Design and Opening Day
Inside, the theatre has a high ceiling with rose and gold designs. You can still see the original ticket booth. The main lobby has a white floor with green marble patterns and cool designs that look like music notes. There are sparkling crystal chandeliers and comfy red velvet chairs. The dome panels in the outer lobby were once blue and red with a salmon and gold background.
The Tivoli opened with a bang on March 19, 1921. It was a full day of fun!
- The Tivoli Symphony played many concerts.
- The 1921 film Forbidden Fruit by Cecil B. DeMille was shown.
- The movie's star, Mae Murray, even made a special appearance.
- Tickets cost between 15 and 55 cents.
Important people from Chattanooga, like Professor Spencer McCallie and Mayor Chambliss, gave speeches. They shared how much they admired the new theatre. For many years, the Tivoli was the main place in Chattanooga for movies and live shows.
Changes Over Time
In the 1950s, new, modern movie theaters started to appear in Chattanooga. The Tivoli began to lose some of its popularity. The very last film shown at the Tivoli was Snow White and the Three Stooges on August 17, 1961. The theatre closed that same year.
However, the Tivoli didn't stay closed for long! It reopened on March 5, 1963, as Chattanooga's new Cultural Center.
Becoming a Historic Landmark
The Tivoli was once owned by ABC. Later, it was leased to Chattanooga to be used for performing arts. In April 1973, the theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical building.
The city of Chattanooga bought the Tivoli in 1976 for $300,000. The theatre had been in need of repairs for a few years. Today, Chattanooga's Department of Education, Arts, and Culture owns and runs the Tivoli.
Major Renovations
In 1979, the Lyndhurst Foundation in Chattanooga gave $25,000 to the Chattanooga Arts Council (now Allied Arts of Greater Chattanooga). This money helped them study how to restore the Tivoli. More money for renovations came from:
- $3.5 million from Tennessee in 1986.
- $3.2 million raised by people in Chattanooga.
- $300,000 from the city government.
The Tivoli closed on June 5, 1987, for these big renovations. Robert A. Franklin led the project. The theatre reopened on March 29, 1989, with a concert by the famous singer Marilyn Horne. The renovations added new dressing rooms for up to 70 performers and made the stage 14 feet deeper.
First Day's Shows: A Detailed Look
The Tivoli's opening day on March 19, 1921, was packed with five shows!
Afternoon Performances
- The first show started at 1 p.m. It began with the "Overture of Orpheus" music and a personal appearance by actress Mae Murray. After that, the movie Forbidden Fruit was shown for the first time.
- The second show at 3 p.m. also started with the "Overture of Orpheus" by the Chattanooga Symphony. It then included a special "Prologue of A Cinderella Fantasy" and another appearance by Mae Murray, followed by the second showing of Forbidden Fruit.
Evening Entertainment
- The 7 p.m. show featured "A Cinderella Fantasy" and the "Orpheus Overture." This show also had toe dancers, impersonators, and readers. After these acts, Forbidden Fruit was shown for the third time.
- At 9 p.m., Mae Murray and the cast of Forbidden Fruit made an appearance for the official opening and dedication of the Tivoli Theatre. This led into the fourth showing of Forbidden Fruit.
- The final show of the night was just like the 3 p.m. show. This busy day marked the start of the Tivoli Theatre's success in 1921.
Why the Tivoli is a Historic Site
The Tivoli Theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 11, 1973. When it was checked, it was in good condition with only a few signs of wear. The American-made Mighty Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ, installed in 1931, was still there. Most of the theatre was found to be unchanged from its original design.
The Tivoli Theatre is important for many reasons:
- It was known as the "finest theater in the entire South."
- It was the first theatre in the South to have air conditioning.
- It was one of the first five Carrier air conditioning plants in the United States.
Its most important historical period, according to the National Register, was from 1875 to 1899 because of its special architectural style.
Famous Performers and Shows at the Tivoli
Many famous actors, actresses, and shows have graced the stage of the Tivoli Theatre. Here are some of them:
- Mae Murray
- Louis Armstrong
- Fanny Brice
- Lynn Fontanne
- Helen Hayes
- Marilyn Horne
- Alfred Lunt
- Joe Bonamassa
- Idiot's Delight
- Mary of Scotland
- The Old Maid
- The Earl Carroll Vanities
- The Greater Marcus Show
- The Ziegfeld Follies
- Snow White and the Three Stooges
