Orpheum Theatre (Los Angeles)

The Orpheum Theatre at 842 S. Broadway in Downtown Los Angeles opened on February 15, 1926, as the fourth and 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. Three previous theatres also bore the name Orpheum before the one at 842 Broadway was the final one with that moniker.

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

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.

Orpheum venues in Los Angeles

The first site for the Orpheum vaudeville circuit was the Grand Opera House, also known as the Grand Theater, 110 S. Main Street (built 1884, closed 1937).[3]

The second Orpheum venue was the Orpheum Theatre (previously known as the Los Angeles Theatre and later known as the Lyceum Theatre, at 227 S. Spring Street (opened 1888, closed 1941).[3]

The third venue was the Orpheum Theatre now known as the Palace Theatre, 630 S. Broadway (built 1911, still standing).[3]

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.[4] Vaudeville acts were still playing the Orpheum as late as 1950.[5]

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.[6] 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". July 30, 2018. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  2. Geffner, David (January–February 2008), "Screen Gems", Westways, 100 (1): 62–65
  3. "Orpheum Theatre", Cinema Treasures
  4. Lawson, Kristan, & Rufus, Anneli. California Babylon. New York: St. Martins Press (2000), p. 125.
  5. Alleman, Richard. Hollywood: The Movie Lover's Guide. Random House, Inc. (2005), p. 189.
  6. "Orpheum Theatre History". Archived from the original on February 9, 2008. Retrieved January 18, 2008.
  7. Rampton, Mike. "A PROBABLY FAR TOO FORENSIC ANALYSIS OF GUNS N' ROSES' NOVEMBER RAIN VIDEO". kerrang.com. Kerrang. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
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