 Exterior of the venue (c.2003) | |
 Interactive map of Altria Theater | |
| Former names | Acca Temple Shrine(1928-40) Mosque Theater(1940-95) Landmark Theater(1995-2014) |
|---|---|
| Address | 6 N Laurel St Richmond, VA 23220-4700 |
| Location | Virginia Commonwealth University |
| Owner | City of Richmond |
| Capacity | 3,565 |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | February 7, 1926 |
| Opened | October 28, 1927 |
| Rebuilt | During 2013 and 2014 |
| Construction cost | $1.65 million ($29.3 million in 2024 dollars[1]) |
| Architect |
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| Website | |
| Venue Website | |
The Mosque | |
| Part of | Monroe Park Historic District[2] (ID84003572) |
| Designated CP | July 05, 1984[3] |
TheAltria Theater, sometimes referred to as "the Mosque," inRichmond,Virginia,United States is a theater at the southwest corner ofMonroe Park on the campus ofVirginia Commonwealth University, and is the largest venue ofRichmond CenterStage's performing arts complex. Formerly known asThe Mosque and theLandmark Theater, the Altria Theater was originally built forShriners of theAcca Temple Shrine.
In 1940, the building was purchased by the City of Richmond, which converted much of its interior for municipal use. TheRichmond Police Department occupied the theater's basement, where they opened up office space, classrooms, a gymnasium, and a shooting range for the police academy. An underground swimming pool was also maintained, initially for training purposes, until it was filled in with concrete during the 2014 renovation.[4][5] Many are familiar with the basement of the Mosque as the location for VCU class registration, which occurred several times each year.
The name of the theater was changed in 1995 from "The Mosque" to "Landmark Theater" following a year of restoration.[6] After a $10 million renovation gift from the company, the theater was officially dubbed theAltria Theater in February 2014.[7] It annually plays host to big-name musical and theatrical performers.
The theater was designed inMoorish Revival style byMarcellus E. Wright Sr. in association withCharles M. Robinson and Charles Custer Robinson circa 1925. J. R. Ray, of the Richmond Tile and Mosaic Works, was responsible for the widely used ornamental tile, and J. Frank Jones, of theRambusch Decorating Company, oversaw the interior decoration. The building officially opened in 1927, and was dedicated by the Shriners in 1928.[8][9]
Performers such asElvis Presley,Jimi Hendrix,Loretta Lynn,Bill Burr,Grateful Dead,Bruce Springsteen,Frank Sinatra,Roy Buchanan,B. B. King,Widespread Panic, andThe Supremes held shows at this venue. Notable Broadway performances such asWicked,The Lion King,Les Miserables, andCats have also been past visitors of The Altria Theater.[10]
On June 6, 2023,a shooting occurred in the parking lot after a graduation ceremony forHuguenot High School. One suspect was arrested while a second was cleared and released.[11] 20 year-old Amari Pollard pled guilty to first-degree murder and received a sentence of 43 years in prison, with 18 years suspended.[12]
The ornamental tile was done by J. R. Ray of the Richmond Tile and Mosaic Works...The interior decoration was carried out under the direction of J. Frank Jones of the Rambush [sic] Company of New York.
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37°32′46″N77°27′08″W / 37.546236°N 77.452208°W /37.546236; -77.452208
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