Sarasota Opera House

61 North Pineapple Avenue,
Sarasota, FL 34236

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AndyCallahanMajorMajor
AndyCallahanMajorMajor on October 27, 2010 at 7:40 am

The article on the theater’s closing stated that it could seat 1,245 people: 794 in the auditorium and 451 in the balcony.

42ndStreetMemories
42ndStreetMemories on February 24, 2008 at 7:43 am

The Opera House is just completing a one-year renovation project.

I had the opportunity to tour it recently and the result is stunning to say the least. Of course, always a thrill to see grand old theaters still open and appreciated by a community.

Here’s a link to today’s Herald Tribune with some great photos:

View link

Jerry

lostmemory
lostmemory on January 21, 2008 at 6:26 pm

Here is a 2007 photo.

lostmemory
lostmemory on July 29, 2007 at 11:49 am

This is another vintage photo of Edwards Theater.

lostmemory
lostmemory on January 2, 2007 at 9:17 am

Added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1984

Edwards Theatre (added 1984 – Building – #84003835)
Also known as Sarasota Theater of the Arts
57 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
Historic Significance: Person, Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Miller,G.A., Benjamin,Roy A.
Architectural Style: Other, Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals
Historic Person: Edwards,A.B.
Significant Year: 1926
Area of Significance: Performing Arts, Architecture
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Commerce/Trade, Domestic, Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Business, Department Store, Single Dwelling, Theater
Current Function: Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Theater

theatreorganmana
theatreorganmana on November 12, 2005 at 2:25 am

The Edwards Theatre had a small Robert Morton theatre pipe organ, which was installed in 1927.

lostmemory
lostmemory on March 16, 2005 at 7:00 pm

There is a photo of the Edwards Theater in Sarasota here:
View link

teecee
teecee on February 16, 2005 at 2:22 pm

On January 31, 1952, it became host to the world premiere blockbuster DeMille movie, “The Greatest Show on Earth,” which had been filmed in Sarasota. Charlton Heston, Betty Hutton, and Dorothy Lamour brightened the town with stardom.
Here are some photos from the event:
http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/commerce/c015943.jpg
http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/commerce/c015947.jpg
http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/commerce/c015946.jpg
http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/commerce/c015945.jpg