Orpheum Theater
409 S. 16th Street,
Omaha,
NE
68102
409 S. 16th Street,
Omaha,
NE
68102
3 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 31 comments
Wonderful ad:
Grand opening ad:
The Nebraska State Historical Society’s page about Omaha architectural firm John Latenser & Sons includes in its references section a listing of the Orpheum Theatre as a 1954 project. Given the timing, this was likely a renovation that included adapting the house for CinemaScope movies.
1930 photo added, photo credit Nathaniel L. Dewell, courtesy of the Nebraska State Historical Society.
There is an excellent 1928 photo of the Orpheum on the Historic-Memphis.com website’s Theatre Page. Here’s a link to the page.
According to graffiti in the projection booth, “The Barefoot Executive” was the last movie screened at the Orpheum, before it was acquired by the City of Omaha.
(My brother used to record Orpheum performances for KIOS-FM. My mother and I would “assist” him by carrying in the recording equipment, then moving down to empty seats during intermission.)
“On Golden Pond” had it’s “national premiere” here (it was already in limited release to qualify for the Academy Awards), due to Henry Fonda’s hometown roots. The premiere was a fundraiser for the Omaha Community Playhouse, where Fonda was once a fledgling actor.
http://www.omaha.com/article/20111120/GO/711209951 (a listing of premieres in Omaha)
I posted the grand opening ad from October 9th, 1927 here.
Quite a few comments point out that the Orpheum Theatre opened in 1927 was an entirely different building than the much smaller (800 seats) Creighton Theatre, opened in August, 1895, and taken over by the Orpheum circuit in 1898. The original Creighton/Orpheum Theatre was demolished in 1926 to make way for the new Orpheum. If it can be established that the original Orpheum ran movies, it should have its own page.
Also, the Wikipedia article linked in an earlier comment also has an error. It lists Holabird & Roche as architects of the Orpheum, along with Harry Lawrie. In fact, this was the team responsible for the City National Bank Building, in which the Orpheum’s entrance was once located. Interestingly enough, Harry Lawrie was apparently one of the architects (Fisher & Lawrie) of the original Crieghton Theatre, though so far I’ve only found one source making this claim.
You are really confusing people by mixing photos and addresses for two completely different theaters! The Creighton Orpheum Theatre, which you have pictured, was the original theater with an address on South 15th street. It was built as a vaudeville house. The new Orpheum Theatre, a completely different building, was opened on the same block in the 1920s with the entrance on Harney Street. During a later remodel, part of the lobby of the City National Bank Building, which stands next to the theater, was purchased and donated to the city for use as the main entrance on South 16th Street. The rest of the bank lobby has since been purchased and included as part of the theater lobby.
Here’s a photo I took back in Nov of 2007.. View link ..
RAC Photography
From the early 1900s a postcard view of 16th Street along with the Orpheum Theater in Omaha.
Here is a March 2009 item from an Omaha TV station:
http://tinyurl.com/deppsy
Where did you get it ElViejo?
The Orpheum Theatre opened in 1927, eighteen months after the Creighton Theatre was torn down. The website is www.omahaperformingarts.org
When comparing names and locations I just now realized that Omaha has a theatre designed by Eberson and a theatre designed by Rapp & Rapp…how lucky is that for one city!?!
rlvjr,
You can find The Rose theater on this site at /theaters/906/
The Omaha Orpheum is in excellent restored condition and is offering quite a few Broadway and other shows throughout the year. I saw Joseph & his Dreamcoat a few nights ago. Lots of civic pride evident. Omaha has another beautiful theatre saved from the wrecking ball. 6 blocks west is The Rose Theatre, built circa 1925, even more ornate than the Orpheum, it serves as a children’s theatre and offers just a few shows. I could not find it on this website.
Nice to read about the Mighty Wurlitzer organ and that it is perfect condition! That is ‘music to my ears’! Hope Lost Memory can provide some photos!
I have friends whose daughter may be moving to Omaha this summer. I think my friends are getting the theatre ‘bug’ so would like to tell them about this theatre and perhaps any others that are still open and/or restored. I see on the CT list that many have been demolished though.
I had the pleasure of playing the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ for the last time in April of 1971. Closed out the last show and pushed the button and the console rose up out of the basement to many surprised eyes. I don’t think they give enough show time to this wonderful organ although I understand it is in perfect condiiton.
The link offered by TC on 23 Feb 2005 reveals the Orpheum opened in 1895. I have several books about WC Fields showing his performances at the Orpheum Theatre in Omaha dating back to 1901.
Recent color photos of this theatre can be found on the site: “America’s Stunning Theatres” by photographer and stagehand Noah Kern at: http://www.pbase.com/affablebeef/theatres Comments and information may be left there without registration; such can be public view or only to Mr. Kern. Scroll down the page to find the name, and then click on the sample image above it to be taken to the page of photos of it.
Beautiful photos at this link:
View link
Click on photos to expand them.
Your picture is of the old Orpheum Theatre which, sadly, was demolished in 1926. But happily, the New Orpheum Theatre opened in 1927 and is still in use. It is gorgeous!
The front door (from 16th Street) now goes through the old City National Bank Building to the Box Office & Lobby. The bank building has been made into charming apartments. (I live there.)
The fly in the ointment is the new walkway across 16th. Strangely, it is not open to anyone who does not park in the OPPD garage—and—let’s just say it—it is seriously ugly!
Anyway, go visit the lovely Orpheum. She’s a Grande Lady!
The correct street address of Omaha’s majestic Orpheum Theater is actually 409 S. 16th St., Omaha, NE 68102 (402) 346-2323. Visit http://www.omahaorpheum.org – Ed Hurd, General Manager
You can find a complete history of the Orpheum on the following webpage: View link