Murphy Theatre

The related website has some beautiful color photographs and tells the history of this 1,000-seat theatre, which first opened in July, 1918, and was built by wealthy Charles Webb Murphy to show his appreciation of his hometown. The firm of Ditto, Fahnestock & Ferber served as architects.

"Charles Webb Murphy, who owned the Chicago Cubs during their glory years of 1906-1914, built this landmark in downtown Wilmington's historic district. Built as a monument to Murphy, this theatre boasts 750 seats and has been restored to its original grandeur. The stately theatre is still utilized when nationally-known acts grace its stage or community theater is featured. The theater's season runs from October through May. Toll free: 1-877-274-3848".

Here is a modern photo of the Murphy Theater.

Here are links with additional information for this theater:
http://tinyurl.com/oe6vl
http://tinyurl.com/qcy8h

Some 2006 photos of the Murphy Theater can be seen here, another one here, and the last one is here.

This is another photo of the Murphy Theater.

Here is a 2007 close-up view of the Murphy Theater.

Another recent photo of the Murphy Theater can be seen here.

I can't recall where I obtained the information in my post above of 3/21/04, but I now suspect that the architect's credit may be incorrect. There's no mention of "Ditto, Fahnestock & Ferber" at the Murphy Theatre's official website. And "Ditto" might not even be part of the name. Somewhere it might have once been published that Fahnestock & Ferber were the architects, and ditto the firm. More research needs to be done. In the meanwhile, I suggest that "Ditto, Fahnestock & Ferber" be removed from the credits unless someone can prove that the name is indeed correct.

This was a Chakeres theater in the early seventies.

The related web site needs some help. Much of it does not work. I hope that does not mean bad things for this theatre. It looks like a great building.

The Murphy Theater ticket booth.

I've several shots of the Murphy (including the one of the ticket booth noted above) from a roadtrip we took earlier this summer for everyone's perusal here. Enjoy! It's a beautiful place.

Here is another photo of the Murphy.

This is a July 2008 photo.

Architectural style could best be described as Sullivanesque

I saw 60 minutes last week and its main story was the shut down in Wilmington of DHL which provided this town with most of its jobs (around 8,000). The mayor expects 20% of the retail in town to fail. What a shame. I saw the theater in the background as the cameras were panning the historic downtown district which looked desolate. Nonetheless, it encouraged me to look the theater up to find out more. What I found out is that the theater web site doesn't work and there are no interior photos on this page. I hope this theater survives.

1983 photo of the Murphy Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c35%2c3%2c-1&catpagesize=25&ProductID=29599

The Murphy in summer 1996:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34152329@N06/3477447822/in/set-72157617054310351/

1982 photo of the Murphy Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c35%2c3%2c-1&catpageindex=35&catpagesize=25&ProductID=32425
Another 1982 photo of the Murphy Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c35%2c3%2c-1&catpageindex=35&catpagesize=25&ProductID=32426
Another 1982 photo of the Murphy Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c35%2c3%2c-1&catpageindex=35&catpagesize=25&ProductID=32427
1983 photo of the Murphy theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c35%2c3%2c-1&catpageindex=35&catpagesize=25&ProductID=32427
1983 photo of the Murphy Theatre Box Office.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c35%2c3%2c-1&catpageindex=35&catpagesize=25&ProductID=32431

Here are two more 1983 photos:

Photo1

Photo2

Murphy Theatre photos from 2007 courtesy Liberty Images.
1. http://www.flickr.com/photos/zachsdame/1814957972/in/set-72157601235026530/

2. http://www.flickr.com/photos/zachsdame/1731846525/in/set-72157601235026530/

3. http://www.flickr.com/photos/zachsdame/1732307952/in/set-72157601235026530/

This is a nice 2009 photo of the Murphy Theater.

Here's a new official website:

http://www.murphytheatre.org/

The theatre is alive and well and still doing performing arts!