 The Orpheum Theatre marquee | |
  Orpheum Theatre Location within the Los Angeles metropolitan area Show map of the Los Angeles metropolitan area Orpheum Theatre Orpheum Theatre (California) Show map of California Orpheum Theatre Orpheum Theatre (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Address | 842 S.Broadway Los Angeles,California United States |
|---|---|
| Owner | Anjac Fashion Buildings[1] |
| Capacity | 2,000 |
| Current use | Concerts, movie premieres, location shoots |
| Construction | |
| Opened | February 15, 1926 |
| Rebuilt | 1989 |
| Architect | G. Albert Lansburgh |
| Designated | May 9, 1979[2] |
| Part of | Broadway Theater and Commercial District |
| Reference no. | 78000687 |
TheOrpheum Theatre at 842 S.Broadway inDowntown Los Angeles opened on February 15, 1926, as the fourth and final Los Angeles venue for theOrpheumvaudeville circuit.[3] After a $3 million renovation, started in 1989, it is the most restored of the historicalmovie palaces in the city. Three previous theatres also bore the name Orpheum before the one at 842 Broadway was the final one with that moniker.
The Orpheum has aBeaux Artsfacade designed by movie theater architectG. Albert Lansburgh and has aMighty Wurlitzer organ, installed in 1928, that is one of threepipe organs remaining in Southern California.[3]
The Orpheum theatres are named for the Greek mythological figure,Orpheus.
The first site for the Orpheum vaudeville circuit was the Grand Opera House, also known as the Grand Theater, 110 S. Main Street (built 1884, closed 1937).[4]
The second Orpheum venue was the Orpheum Theatre (previously known as the Los Angeles Theatre and later known as the Lyceum Theatre, at 227 S. Spring Street (opened 1888, closed 1941).[4]
The third venue was the Orpheum Theatre now known as thePalace Theatre, 630 S. Broadway (built 1911, still standing).[4]
Soon after it was opened, it was a popular venue forburlesque queenSally Rand, theMarx Brothers,Will Rogers,Judy Garland (singing with her family as Frances "Baby" Gumm) and comedianJack Benny, as well as jazz greatsLena Horne,Ella Fitzgerald andDuke Ellington.[5]Vaudeville acts were still playing the Orpheum as late as 1950.[6]
In the 1960s, the theater held rock 'n' roll concerts featuringLittle Richard,Aretha Franklin andLittle Stevie Wonder. The restored Orpheum Theatre is now a venue for live concerts, movie premieres, and location shoots.[7] The love metal bandHIM played there for their live CD/DVD albumDigital Versatile Doom. The 2010Streamy Awards were live broadcast from the theater.
34°02′34″N118°15′19″W / 34.04268°N 118.255341°W /34.04268; -118.255341
