 Entry façade as it appeared in 2016 | |
 Interactive map of Hilbert Circle Theatre | |
| Former names | Circle Theatre |
|---|---|
| Address | 45 Monument Circle |
| Location | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Owner | Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra |
| Type | theatre |
| Capacity | 1,660 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | August 30, 1916 (1916-08-30) |
| Renovated | 1984, 2013 |
| Tenants | |
| Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra | |
| Website | |
| www.indianapolissymphony.org | |
Circle Theater | |
     | |
| Coordinates | 39°46′5″N86°9′26″W / 39.76806°N 86.15722°W /39.76806; -86.15722 |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Architect | Rubush and Hunter; Bedford Stone Construction Co. |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| Part of | Washington Street-Monument Circle Historic District (ID97001179) |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000058[1] |
| Added to NRHP | June 16, 1980 |
TheHilbert Circle Theatre, originally called theCircle Theatre, is inIndianapolis, Indiana, onMonument Circle in theWashington Street-Monument Circle Historic District. It was originally built in 1916 as a "deluxe movie palace" and now is the home of theIndianapolis Symphony Orchestra.[2]: 2–3
The theatre was listed on theNational Register of Historic Places in 1980.[1]
The Circle Theatre was one of the first "motion picture palaces" in the Midwest and one of the first movie theaters west of New York.[3] The theatre also offered locally produced stage shows, such as the 1921The Landing of the Pilgrims for Thanksgiving week.[4] In 1922, a $50,000Wurlitzer organ was installed for use during silent films and solo performances.[4] In the summer of 1924, visiting musicians offered Circle patrons "syncopation seasons" with various jazz and popular music performances while the house concert orchestra was off.[4]Frank Sinatra andDizzy Gillespie were two such visitors who held concerts in the theatre.[3]
On March 6, 1927, the Circle brought sound movies to the Indianapolis approximately fourteen months before other venues. Three musical film segments were shown:Roy Smeck playing the guitar, ukulele, and banjo;Giovanni Martinelli, a Metropolitan Opera tenor, singingI Pagliacci, and finally,Al Jolson, the blackface singing comedian. The Circle brought another first to the city in February 1928 by offeringThe Jazz Singer, a film with four talking and singing scenes starring Al Jolson.[4]
As multiscreen cinemas emerged in suburban malls throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the Circle Theatre fell into disrepair.[3][5]
Reopening on October 12, 1984, after a $6.8 million renovation, the Circle Theatre is home to theIndianapolis Symphony Orchestra.[3] In December 1996, it was renamed the Hilbert Circle Theatre after being endowed by Stephen Hilbert, founder ofCNO Financial Group, and his wife Tomisue. The theatre holds 1,660 seats and has space for an 87-member ensemble. It is now home to a 3-manual 24-rank Wurlitzer theatre organ.[6]
The theatre was designed by Indianapolis architectsRubus & Hunter.[5] Built in 1916, the building is aNeoclassical-revival with white glazedterra cotta entrance section with a brickauditorium section behind. The front façade is slightly curved. The theatre's interior was designed by architect Robert Adam and uses motifs from Greek, Etruscan and Pompeian artists.[5]
In 1986, the theatre reverted to being a movie palace for the world premier ofHoosiers.[3] The theatre hosted theWeightlifting Competition during the1987 Pan American Games.[7] ActressKitty Carlisle hosted a centennial celebration for the Indiana native composerCole Porter in 1991.[3] The venue later hostedNBC'sLate Night with Jimmy Fallon for a week of episodes duringSuper Bowl XLVI in 2012.[8]
Media related toHilbert Circle Theatre (Indianapolis) at Wikimedia Commons| International | |
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