Tulsa Theater facts for kids
Exterior view of the west end of the theater
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| Former names | Brady Theater (1979-2019) Tulsa Municipal Theater (1952-79) Tulsa Convention Hall (1914-52) |
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| Address | 105 Reconciliation Way Tulsa, OK 74103-7809 |
| Location | Tulsa Arts District |
| Owner | Peter Mayo |
| Capacity | 2,800 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | October 22, 1914 |
| Construction cost | $125,000 ($3.79 million in 2022 dollars ) |
| Architect | Rose and Peterson |
| Website | |
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Convention Hall
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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| Architect | Curtin |
| Part of | Brady Historic District (ID10000618) |
| NRHP reference No. | 79002028 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | August 29, 1979 |
| Designated CP | September 3, 2010 |
The Tulsa Theater is a famous building in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It is used for concerts and shows. It has had a few names over the years, like the Brady Theater and Tulsa Convention Hall. The building first opened in 1914. It was updated in 1930 and again in 1952.
During a difficult time in Tulsa's history in 1921, the building was temporarily used to hold people. The theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site. It is still a busy theater today. In 2019, its name was changed from Brady Theater. This was because its old name was connected to someone who was part of a group that caused harm.
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History of the Tulsa Theater
The Tulsa Theater has been a place for people to gather since 1914. It is located at W. Reconciliation Way and N. Boulder Avenue. The City of Tulsa built it between 1912 and 1914. They raised $125,000 to build it. The architects, Rose and Peterson, designed it as a city auditorium.
From 1914 to 1952, it was called Convention Hall. When it first opened, it was one of the biggest halls around. Some even said it was one of only 16 theaters in the U.S. that could host a full Metropolitan Opera show. Many famous opera singers performed here. These included Mary Garden and Enrico Caruso.
There is a local legend that the building is haunted. People say the ghost of Enrico Caruso is there. He performed in 1920 and supposedly caught a cold. This cold led to his death in 1921.
Because of its size, the building was used during the 1921 Race Massacre. It temporarily held people during this difficult event. Locals have given the theater several nicknames. These include "The Miracle on Brady Street" and "The Old Lady on Brady." They also call it the "Theater That Wouldn't Die."
What the Tulsa Theater Looks Like
The building is at 105 West Reconciliation Way. It is four stories tall. The building covers an area of 130 feet by 160 feet. It was designed to hold 4,200 people. This included 1,300 seats in the balcony. The stage was very large, 70 feet wide and 40 feet deep. It also sloped 13 feet from back to front. The building once had the only city-owned pipe organ west of the Allegheny Mountains.
Updates to the Theater
The theater has been updated several times. These changes helped it stay modern and useful.
2020 Renovation
The business started using the name Tulsa Theater in January 2020. The owner, Peter Mayo, plans to reuse an old sign. This stainless-steel sign spells out 'Tulsa' in a cool way. It will have LED lights. This sign was on the building from 1952 to 1979. At that time, the venue was called the Tulsa Municipal Theater.
1952 Additions
In 1952, new parts were added to the front and back. New lobbies were built. The building was then renamed Tulsa Municipal Theater. The design style was called Western Classic Revival. In 1978, the City of Tulsa sold the building. Peter Mayo bought it and has owned it since.
In 1979, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as a historic site. In 1977, a newer place, the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, opened. But the Tulsa Theater, also known as "The Old Lady on Brady," still hosts many shows.
1930 Renovation
In 1930, a famous architect named Bruce Goff was hired. He was asked to redesign the inside of the theater. He had only 30 days to turn the plain space into an elegant showplace. This was for a city known as "The Oil Capital of the World." The new design used the Art Deco style. It included new curtains and seats. The walls had white plaster panels with thin gold lines. Air conditioning grilles were gilded, meaning they looked like gold. The ceiling tiles were painted green, blue, white, and gold. Five large green and white lights were hung in the middle of the auditorium.
National Register of Historic Places Listing
The Tulsa Theater was first listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 29, 1979. It was listed again in 2010. This time, it was part of the Brady Historic District.
Images for kids
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Exterior view of the west end of the theater
