Orpheum Theatre (Minneapolis)
Orpheum Theatre is a theater located in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is one of four restored theaters on Hennepin Avenue, along with the Pantages Theatre, the State Theatre[2] and the Shubert Theatre (now The Cowles Center).
Hennepin Theater | |
 The Orpheum Theatre at night | |
| Address | 910 Hennepin Avenue Minneapolis, Minnesota United States |
|---|---|
| Owner | Hennepin Theatre Trust |
| Operator | Historic Theatre Group |
| Capacity | 2,579 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1921 |
| Reopened | 1993 |
| Website | |
| www | |
Hennepin Theatre | |
| Coordinates | 44°58′36.37″N 93°16′38.97″W |
| Built | 1921 |
| Architect | Kirchoff, Roger; et al. |
| Architectural style | Beaux-Arts |
| NRHP reference No. | 95001548 [1] |
| Added to NRHP | January 19, 1996 |
The building opened on October 16, 1921, originally named the Hennepin Theater.[3] The theater actually consists of two separate structures: a long, fingerlike lobby that extends back from a narrow facade along Hennepin Avenue, and the auditorium, which is set back and parallels Hawthorne Avenue. The restored lobby includes six terra cotta bas relief sculptures. The auditorium is intricately plastered, with a number of garlands, swags, medallions, and other decorations. The ceiling has a dome with 30,000 squares of aluminum leaf.[2]
The building seats 1500 on the main floor and 1100 on the three level balcony.[3]
Several musicals, including Victor/Victoria, The Lion King, and The 101 Dalmatians Musical premiered at the Orpheum.
In 1988, the Orpheum was sold by Bob Dylan (who owned it from 1979-1988)[4] to the City of Minneapolis; it was renovated and reopened in 1993. In 2005, the city transferred ownership of its theaters to the Hennepin Theatre Trust.[5]
Historic Theatre Group's original partner was Jujamcyn Productions. SFX (now Live Nation) bought Jujamcyn Productions in 2000.[6] Live Nation sold most of its theatrical properties, including its Minneapolis operations, to Key Brand Entertainment in 2008.[7]
Entertainment
- Phish - November 26, 1994 Phish delivered a scorching performance as part of their legendary "Phish Destroys America" tour (Fall '94). Highlights include what was at the time the longest ever version of David Bowie (clocking in at 37:27) and the legendary version of Slave to the Traffic Light (as featured on "A Live One").
- Barenaked Ladies
- Luis Miguel - February 12, 2000
- Crowded House - September 9, 2007
- Diana Krall - March 15, 2002 August 7, 2015
- Barry Manilow - February 28 - March 1, 2002
- John Prine - September 30, 2000
- Celtic Woman - October 22, 2005, April 5, 2006, April 17-18, 2007, April 13, 2013 (2 shows), June 13, 2017
- Brian Wilson - September 30, 2004, October 2, 2016, November 28, 2018
Comedy
- Jeff Foxworthy taped Have Your Loved Ones Spayed or Neutered here in 2004.
- Larry the Cable Guy taped Morning Constitutions here in 2006.
Musicals
References
- "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 15, 2006.
- Millett, Larry (2007). AIA Guide to the Twin Cities: The Essential Source on the Architecture of Minneapolis and St. Paul. St. Paul, Minnesota: Minnesota Historical Society. ISBN 0-87351-540-4.
- "Hennepin Theatre District: Theatre History: Orpheum Theatre". Retrieved 2007-06-13.
- http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/281361451.html
- History: Hennepin Theatre Trust
- Twin Cities-based show producer Jujamcyn is sold to N.Y. giant SFX
- Live Nation Finds a Buyer for Its Theater Business
External links
- Orpheum Theatre
