Originally
known as the Hennepin, the Orpheum Theatre opened on October 16, 1921. Located
at 910 Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota the theatre was designed
by the Milwaukee firm of Kirchoff & Rose and cost 1 million dollars to
build. Over 70,000 guests came to watch the Marx Brothers perform during opening
week.
Throughout
the early 1920’s, the Orpheum was a major venue for many variety show type
entertainers including Jack Benny, Burns & Allen and Fanny Brice. The best
seats in the house sold for 47 cents, and children's tickets were only 9 cents.
The Orpheum also featured an unheard of playroom and baby-sitting services for
small children on the first floor mezzanine lobby. In the late 20’s, the
Orpheum easily changed with the times and became one of the major cinema houses
in Minneapolis.
In 1940,
Gone with the Wind premiered at the Orpheum. On opening night moviegoers formed
a solid line that extended out the doors, down Hennepin Avenue and around the
corner onto 9th Street. For three full weeks, the theatre sold out every
showing. It was one of the most successful shows ever at the theatre.
In 1988,
the Minneapolis Community Development Agency (MCDA) purchased the Orpheum
Theatre for 1.4 million dollars from singer Bob Dylan and his brother. The
Dylan’s had owned the theatre for four years, but were uninterested in footing
the bill for much needed renovations.
The MCDA,
which owns both the Historic Orpheum and State Theatres, financed a $10 million
restoration and expansion of the theatre. In actuality, theatergoers paid for
the restoration of the 2,600 seat showplace through a historic restoration fee
on all State and Orpheum theatre tickets.
The MCDA
began the renovation project by extending the stage almost 20 feet in order to
accommodate the newer elaborate Broadway shows. The theatre was then decked out
in deep Victorian colors to match the original design and the art deco marquee
was expertly restored & reinstalled. A 15 foot high, 2,000 pound chandelier
made of brass & Italian crystal was installed in the unique domed ceiling,
which is really lined with over 30,000 leaves of silver. All of the other
chandeliers in the house and lobbies are antiques salvaged from a 1920's
theatre.
Unexpected
architectural discoveries were made while renovating the lobby areas, including
6 Pompeiian friezes previously hidden under velour curtains and fake window
grids and even a false wall. The mural on the ceiling above the stage was added
after the discovery of a black & white photo of the original theatre. The
restored Orpheum theatre reopened in 1993. The first concert performance was by
Heart and the first Broadway production was Miss Saigon.
The
Orpheum is proud to have seen the origination of a number of productions, including
Victor/Victoria, Beauty & the Beast and the pre-Broadway premiere of
Disney's The Lion King, and the national tour of Elton John and Tim Rice's
AIDA.
The
Orpheum seats approx 1500 on the main floor, with an additional 1100 seats in
the three level balcony. It's a finely refurbished
theatre, with comfortable seating and lovely decor. Both acoustics and sight
lines are outstanding, although the back of the balcony still seems a long way
from the action. About the only drawback is the limited lobby, which gets so
crowded at intermissions of sold-out shows that many choose to stay by their
seats.
While the Orpheum was, for decades, one of the most popular places
for a concert, it really hit its stride after the remarkable 90’s renovation.
Restored to an elegance and beauty before only imagined, the Historic Orpheum
Theatre immediately became the favored stop for touring Broadway blockbusters. This
elegantly restored theater successfully hosts Broadway hits and rock superstars
with equal ease. Its great location in the Hennepin Theatre district and
ability to attract big name shows makes the Orpheum one of the most
sought-after tickets in town!
Perhaps the most renowned of Hennepin Avenue theaters, the Orpheum has hosted both fantastic theater productions and big name musical artists. Many groups have taken a liking to the venue, returning again and again because of the venues ability to accommodate their shows. Sigur Ros have played multiple shows at the venue since their heart-aching 1998 release Agaetis Byrjun. Other shows put on include the long-running (and still running in Chicago) Wicked. Not to mention visits by the likes of Modest Mouse, Jon Stewart and Belle & Sebastian. When artists grows out of the dark confines of First Avenue but isn?t yet big enough to amplify the Target Center, they go to the Orpheum. Get tickets to this majestic house of music and theater today.
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