Orpheum Theatre (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

The Historic Orpheum Theatre is a theater 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.

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]

This theatre has also been the tryout place for the musicals, Victor/Victoria (musical) and The Lion King (musical). both were successful, & moved to Broadway.

References

1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2006-03-15. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/All_Data.html. 
2. ^ ^{a b} 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. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "Hennepin Theatre District: Theatre History: Orpheum Theatre". http://www.hennepintheatredistrict.org/history/orpheum/. Retrieved 2007-06-13.