Orpheum Theatre
216 State Street,
Madison,
WI
53703
216 State Street,
Madison,
WI
53703
13 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 50 of 50 comments
There was an article in the Wisconsin State Journal about potentially relighting the landmark Orpheum sign which towers over State Street. The estimated cost was given to be about $200,000.
To help relight the marquee, the Orpheum will be hosting an advanced presentation of the new WB movie, “We Are Marshall.” Proceeds from this will be put toward refurbishing the sign to its former glory. Details are on the official website above.
Lost Memory. Can you pleasse email me at I’m putting together a fundraiser to relight the Orpheum marquee and would love to use your picture.
Here is a newspaper ad from 1922:
http://tinyurl.com/ydkzpj
This must have been close to the opening in 1927:
http://tinyurl.com/h3xey
The MGM traveling theater in 1933:
http://tinyurl.com/eth8v
This is a 1935 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/jqr9z
Here is a 1939 photo showing the Orpheum and the Capitol:
http://tinyurl.com/rfhua
I thought this photo was interesting as it shows the theater and its surroundings in 1941:
http://tinyurl.com/rkm5p
There are some nice photos on this page:
http://tinyurl.com/ma8rw
The official web site listed above now has a great photo gallery section on it. Well worth a few minutes to check out.
Someone mentioned the vertical sign not beint lit, sorry, can’t just flip a switch! As much as it would be wonderful to light it up, the electrical system is long gone. It used to have bulbs and chasers all the way around it but they were removed many “moons ago”. There was an estimate made once upon a time to relamp the sign (I was a projectionist there years ago) and as I recall the cost was unbelievable!! Having worked in the building for awhile, I’m amazed it’s still open, there are no such things as “little problems” in an old building like this! And the “fixes” arn’t cheap either! For what it’s worth, the Kimball pipe organ that used to be here was removed by Marty Dohm years ago, he installed it in his home in the Madison area. After Marty sold his home the organ went into storage where he managed to keep it “sort of playable”, the organ is now installed in the Weill Center up in Sheboygan, WI where it sounds great! If you are a theatre organ buff, I highly recommend checking it out!
About five years ago I was up in Madison. I had time on my hands and went to see an obscure foreign film at the Orpheum. I had a similar experience to that mentioned above: all auditorium lights off and me alone in that huge balcony. I left thinking that the Orpheum’s days must be numbered. Sounds like their business plan is passing the test of time, which is great news.
This week, the Orpheum is showing a first-run, non-art house film, “Walk the Line,” the Johnny Cash biopic. Given its proximity to the newly restored and opened Capitol Theater and Overture Center just a block up the street, there might be enough traffic generated to provide an audience for mainstream films again.
Downtown Madison is transforming into a major destination again, with new upscale housing and expanded parking in the plans.
The Orpheum is a beautiful palace on State Street, in pretty good condition. The huge vertical ‘Orpheum’ sign either doesn’t light any more, or the power is too expensive to click it on at night, as it’s always dark, but the main marquee hovering over the sidewalk can’t be missed.
The theater is closed Mondays, but screens modern art movies Tuesday-Sunday, with weekend matinees.
The staff is friendly, and patrons are allowed full access to the two balcony entrances, both leading to the same swooping seating section. In recent shows I’ve attended, almost all the house lights have been dark during the film, which gives the balcony an eerie “suspended in space” feeling.
The restrooms are huge, and down a long flight of stairs to the basement.
The theater also hosts concerts, which must pay the bills, because even on Friday night movies at the Orpheum I’ve never seen more than a few dozen other customers.
The lobby has been converted to a full service restaurant and bar. Dinner is a little pricey for us, in the $10 range, but they serve breakfast on Saturday mornings, and you can get a good omelet with hash browns for $7.
The theater’s second screen is in a separate space connected by a long narrow hallway. It’s charm-free, but serviceable.
There is a pic here
View link
I think you would call the style of this theatre French Renaissance.
The Orpheum Theatre opened on March 31st 1927.
I was in the lobby of the theater last week. It appeared very nice. Next time I am in Madison I will eat at the restaurant in the lobby.
State Street in Madison is booming. That is undoubtedly one reason Madison still has a major movie palace. The neighborhood really cooperated with the theater itself this time.
Whomever has been vandalizing the Orpheum is a terrible person. That is all that can be said.
Sincerely,
Andrew N. Willenson
I don’t remember there being a restaurant in the lobby when I attended. This would have been mid 90s. I do remember it having a gold/cream monochromatic color scheme. I saw, among other movies, “Secrets and Lies” there. Can anyone verify/embellish on my vague memory of the interior?
The Orpheum reopened Friday, January 28, 2005. The fire damage has been repaired.
Movies are being screened again and the restaurant in the lobby is doing business. Great place for lunch, which I have there at least twice a week.
Madison, WI
Arson damages Rapp & Rapp’s ORPHEUM
After weeks of investigation, the capitol city of Wisconsin has determined that its ORPHEUM theatre was indeed a victim of arson, not once, but at least twice, and a third time is suspected. Read the account here from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:
View link
Film reports were shown on Milwaukee’s WTMJ-4, channel 4 TV, which showed only the exterior of the closed theatre with notices on the doors promising reopening.
The Fire Marshall asks for any tips and a reward of $5,000 is being offered.
The theatre is profiled at: /theaters/233/
It would seem that not everyone appreciates theatres, but at least most Wisconsinites must like them else a city 80 miles from Madison wouldn’t have run the story, possibly to be repeated at later broadcasts. (The story originated with the Wis. State Journal, but I couldn’t find it there.)
I have a couple of very nice recent photos of this theater.
In addition to showing movies, it still houses plays and live concerts. There is also the Lobby Restaurant, allowing eating in the grand lobby. The lobby, mezzanine and theatres are available for rent for private functions also. Architects were Rapp and Rapp. Many photos of pre and post opening in the 1920’s are at the Wisconsin Historical Society.
Approximately 1800 seats in theater 1. 350 seats in theater 2 (called the Stage Door).