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Also known as Memphian Theatre

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Playhouse on the Square

Memphis, TN

51 S. Cooper Street

, Memphis, TN, United States

(map)

Status:	Open
Screens:	Single Screen
Style:	Art Moderne

Function:	Live Theater, Performing Arts
Seats:	258
Chain:	Unknown

Architect:	Unknown
Firm:	Unknown

Built as the Memphian Theatre in Art Moderne style in the late 30s, this former movie house to this day still remains elegant and stylish, with its bold blade marquee, which is brilliantly illuminated in neon at night.

It was used in the 60s by Elvis Presley regularly for private parties he held there.

Though its days as a movie theater ended more than two decades ago, the Memphian remains in use today, as one of the city's best-known smaller live theaters, the Playhouse on the Square, which it has served as since 1986.

That was the year the vacant Memphian was renovated and transformed by the Circuit Playhouse Company into the showcase for legitimate theatre, musicals, comedy and children's theatre it is today.

In 1992 and 1997, the Playhouse expanded into empty storefronts ajoining the old movie theater.

The Playhouse also now offers acting classes in its facilities, and a bar for pre-and-post show refreshments.

Since its inception in 1969, the Playhouse has grown in popularity and acclaim, and it was only recently hailed by the Memphis Flyer as "The best live theater in Memphis."

Related Websites

Playhouse on the Square Home Page

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

YOUR COMMENTS

When the Memphian Theatre was a movie theatre it seated 867 people.

posted by William on Dec 5, 2003 at 4:46pm

I went to the Memphian many times while attending Southwestern at Memphis in the 1960s. Used to walk across Overton Park and then back to campus in the middle of the night. It was still the Memphian into the late-1970s.

posted by W.H. Wingo on Sep 21, 2004 at 10:58pm

The Playhouse management can't be complemented highly enough for the extraordinary adaptation of the old Memphian. The seating capacity was reduced by half or more. The original stage was big enough only to hold the speaker cabinet. The lobby barely held a popcorn popper. Both lobby and stage were enlarged, the seats re-aligned, offices and dressing rooms inserted. The result is a wonderfully intimate and charming live stage theatre with the street presence of a 1930's neighborhood cinema. The interior looks better now than it ever did. Likewise the talent, on stage and behind the scenes, is as good as any New York theatre's. I have seen many shows at Playhouse On The Square and NEVER been disappointed in a performance. This has been a total success story - both for saving the old Memphian and creating a space for the finest in live theatre.

posted by Will Dunklin on Aug 12, 2005 at 4:14pm

Here are a couple of recent photos of the Playhouse on the Square/Memphian Theater in Memphis.

posted by JackCoursey on Oct 16, 2005 at 3:58am

If you want to see a really nice photo of the Memphian Theatre before it was Playhouse On the Square, look for an album by Joe Walsh called "Got Any Gum?". It dates from 1987 but the front cover is a very nice shot of the theatre when it was still the Memphian.
(Just Google the info and you should easily find a pic.)

posted by crackdog on Jul 24, 2006 at 9:43pm

The old Memphian Movie Theatre from the Joe Walsh album. Really nice!
Some photos from November 2006:
Original theatre doors.
Marquee Close-Up
Looking down the street.

posted by Gail S on Nov 2, 2006 at 7:26pm

This is another photo of the Playhouse on the Square.

posted by Lost Memory on May 27, 2007 at 1:54pm

Here is a 2008 photo.

posted by Lost Memory on Feb 24, 2008 at 7:53pm

This is a recent night view.

posted by Lost Memory on Feb 25, 2008 at 7:30am

1980 photo of the Memphian Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c42%2c3%2c1808&catpageindex=6&ProductID=33681
Another 1980 photo of the Memphian Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c42%2c3%2c1808&catpageindex=6&ProductID=33682

posted by Chuck1231 on Apr 15, 2009 at 9:44am

1982 night photo of the Memphian Theatrte.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c42%2c3%2c1808&catpageindex=7&ProductID=33686

posted by Chuck1231 on Apr 15, 2009 at 9:45am

Another photo is here.

posted by Lost Memory on Sep 2, 2009 at 6:41pm

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