TWO Empress Theatre

418 Frederica Street,
Owensboro, KY 42301

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TWO Empress Theatre (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Malco Theatres Inc., Paramount Pictures Inc.

Architects: W.R. Gatlin

Functions: Concerts, Live Theatre

Previous Names: Empress Theatre, Malco Theatre, Center Theatre, Goldie's Best Little Opryhouse in Kentucky

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 270.926.0254
Manager: 270.926.0254

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TWO Empress Theatre

The Empress Theatre was opened on October 29, 1912. It was renamed Malco Theatre on December 24, 1937. On September 30, 1949 it was renamed Center Theatre. It operated as a movie theatre for many decades, closing January 19, 1989.

In 1992 it opened as Goldie’s Best Little Opryhouse in Kentucky presenting a blend of old and new country, comedy, bluegrass, gospel, and old time rock and roll music. Goldie’s was a very affordable show to which you could bring the entire family from the youngest to the oldest. It was closed in late-2008.

By April 2010 it was taken over by Theatre Workshop of Owensboro and reopened as TWO Empress Theatre.

Contributed by Goldie Payne

Recent comments (view all 16 comments)

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on May 31, 2010 at 10:42 am

Quite a mouthfull of a name for this theatre.

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on May 31, 2010 at 10:43 am

Tryed to look at their Offical Website its not there any more.

matlight
matlight on February 9, 2011 at 8:40 am

Built in 1912, the Theater that stands at 418 Frederica Street is now being bought by Theatre Workshop of Owensboro. It opened on October 29th 1912 as The Empress owned by George A. Bleich. One of the first Movie houses built in America, it had a 750 seats. Now a 350 seat theatre it is home to stage plays and Concerts put on by TWO. Theatre workshop is currently trying to raise money to finish the purchase but also to renovate and bring the building back to it’s glory. for info please visit theatreworkshop.org.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on March 23, 2015 at 2:42 pm

This web page has an article about the Empress Theatre from the Owensboro Messenger Inquirer The article is not dated, but was posted on the web on October 18, 2012. There is a vintage photo of the theater and a modern photo of the marquee with the name TWO on it (the acronym for Theatre Workshop of Owensboro.) The “Venues” page of TWO’s official web site calls it the TWO Empress Theatre (TWO also mounts shows in Trinity Center, a former church.)

The Empress showed its last movie on January 19, 1989, and Goldie’s closed at the end of 2008 when its owner retired, so our current introduction is mostly obsolete.

The Empress Theatre was designed by architect W. R. Gatlin, who also designed the Princess Theatre in Hopkinsville.

Chris1982
Chris1982 on March 23, 2015 at 9:56 pm

This theatre would have had to go a long way to top Branson.

rivest266
rivest266 on March 21, 2018 at 1:14 pm

This opened on October 29th, 1912. Grand opening ad in the photo section.

rivest266
rivest266 on March 21, 2018 at 2:44 pm

This reopened as the Malco theatre on December 24th, 1937. Grand opening ad in the photo section. It was renamed again to Center on September 30th, 1949. Another ad in the photo section.

rivest266
rivest266 on March 22, 2018 at 1:49 pm

This closed down as Center in 1967 and reopened as Malco again on January 25th, 1968. The grand opening ad below and in the photo section.

Malco theatre openingMalco theatre opening · Thu, Jan 25, 1968 – 11 · Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, Kentucky) · Newspapers.com

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