Tupelo Community Theatre

200 N. Broadway,
Tupelo, MS 38802

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Tupelo Community Theatre

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Malco Theatres Inc., Saenger Amusement Company

Functions: Live Theater

Styles: Art Deco

Previous Names: Comus Theatre, Strand Theatre, Lyric Theatre

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 662.844.1935

Nearby Theaters

Lyric Theatre  Tupelo, MS  June 1996

Built in 1912 as the Comus Theatre, it was exclusively the home of vaudeville. By 1914 it was screening movies. Later, as part of the Saenger circuit, it was a movie and vaudeville house by 1924 renamed Strand Theatre. It was renamed the Lyric Theatre when it became part of the Malco chain of movie houses in the 1930’s.

Renovations to the theatre at that time included a new marquee and an Art Deco style redesign for the interior. The Lyric Theatre continued on with stage shows in addition to its film screenings.

The Lyric Theatre remained a popular movie house until 1984 when it was abandoned and nearly demolished. The Tupelo Community Theatre came along, purchased the old Lyric Theatre, and it has remained open ever since. Live stage productions are now the focal point of the theatre.

Contributed by Ross Melnick

Recent comments (view all 4 comments)

kpdennis
kpdennis on May 6, 2009 at 11:37 am

The community playhouse formerly known as the Lyric – a rainy day in Tupelo, summer 1996:
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GeorgeStrum
GeorgeStrum on January 8, 2010 at 7:43 am

On this 75th Anniversary of Elvis’s birth I wonder if he actually ever attended this theatre as a boy or performed on its stage. Anyone know?

alaga65
alaga65 on April 22, 2015 at 11:10 am

There’s an old Tupelo legend that Elvis had his first kiss in the Lyric Theater’s balcony. Can’t vouch for this, for obvious reasons, but there you go.

SethG
SethG on January 13, 2022 at 8:36 am

1919 map calls it the Comus, 1924 map calls it the Strand.

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