Orpheum Theatre (Los Angeles)

The fourth Orpheum Theatre on Broadway in Downtown Los Angeles opened on February 15, 1926, as the final Los Angeles venue for the Orpheum vaudeville circuit.[2] After a $3 million renovation, started in 1989, it is the most restored of the historical movie palaces in the city.

Orpheum Theatre
The Orpheum Theatre marquee
Orpheum Theatre
Location within the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Orpheum Theatre
Orpheum Theatre (California)
Orpheum Theatre
Orpheum Theatre (the United States)
Address842 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, California
United States
OwnerAnjac Fashion Buildings[1]
Capacity2,000
Current useconcerts, movie premiers, location shoots
Construction
OpenedFebruary 15, 1926
Rebuilt1989
ArchitectG. Albert Lansburgh
Robert Brown Young
Website
www.laorpheum.com

The Orpheum has a Beaux Arts facade designed by movie theater architect G. Albert Lansburgh and has a Mighty Wurlitzer organ, installed in 1928, that is one of three pipe organs remaining in Southern California.[2]

The Orpheum theatres are named for the Greek mythological figure, Orpheus.

Venue performers
Wurlitzer theatre organ console

Soon after it was opened, it was a popular venue for burlesque queen Sally Rand, the Marx Brothers, Will Rogers, Judy Garland (singing with her family as Frances "Baby" Gumm) and comedian Jack Benny, as well as jazz greats Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington.[3] Vaudeville acts were still playing the Orpheum as late as 1950.[4]

In the 1960s, the theater held rock 'n' roll concerts featuring Little Richard, Aretha Franklin and Little Stevie Wonder. The restored Orpheum Theatre is now a venue for live concerts, movie premieres, and location shoots.[5] The love metal band HIM played there for their live CD/DVD album Digital Versatile Doom. The 2010 Streamy Awards were live broadcast from the theater.

Location shoots

Television

Film

Music Videos

See also

References
  1. "Steve Needleman | Los Angeles Business Journal". Retrieved 2018-12-02.
  2. Geffner, David (January–February 2008), "Screen Gems", Westways, 100 (1): 62–65
  3. Lawson, Kristan, & Rufus, Anneli. California Babylon. New York: St. Martins Press (2000), p. 125.
  4. Alleman, Richard. Hollywood: The Movie Lover's Guide. Random House, Inc. (2005), p. 189.
  5. "Orpheum Theatre History". Archived from the original on 2008-02-09. Retrieved 2008-01-18.

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