Orpheum Theatre (Phoenix, Arizona)

Orpheum Theatre
Former names	The Paramount, Palace West
Address	203 W. Adams St.; Phoenix, Arizona; United States
Owner	Phoenix Convention Center & Venues
Operator	Phoenix Convention Center & Venues
Type	Touring Theater
Capacity	1,364
Construction
Opened	1929
Closed	1984
Reopened	1997
Architect	Lescher & Mahoney, Hugh Gilbert
General contractor	McGinty Construction Company
Tenants
	American Theatre Guild; Phoenix Opera
Website
	www.orpheumphx.com
	Orpheum Theater Phoenix
	U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Coordinates	33°26′56.73″N 112°4′33.3″W / 33.4490917°N 112.075917°W
Architect	Lescher & Mahoney; Gilbert, Hugh
Architectural style	Spanish Revival/Baroque Revival
MPS	Phoenix Commercial MRA
NRHP reference No.	85002067
Added to NRHP	September 4, 1985

The Orpheum Theatre is a 1364-seat theatre in downtown Phoenix. This venue was originally used for vaudeville acts as part of the nationwide Orpheum Circuit.

History

Construction began in 1927 and was completed in 1929 for a total cost of $750,000. It was designed by architects Lescher & Mahoney, with Hugh Gilbert associated. It was built for owner-operators J.E. Rickards and Harry Nace by the McGinty Construction Company.^[2] Built in a Spanish Revival style of Spanish Baroque architecture style, intricate murals and moldings were an integral part of the design, all meant to give patrons the impression that they were enjoying the shows "al fresco."^[3]

In the 1940s the Orpheum was purchased by the Paramount Pictures chain, and renamed, "The Paramount." In the 1960s Nederlander purchased it to add it as a stop on the Broadway circuit. Throughout the 1960s until its restoration, it was renamed, "Palace West."^[4]

Throughout the mid 1970s and early 1980s, the Theatre was leased to the local Mexican enterprising Corona family, who presented a wide variety of Hispanic events and movies. At one point all the murals and moldings were painted black when the Orpheum was used to show Spanish films. In addition to wanting to hide the areas that were already in poor condition, it was thought that such decorations would detract from the films.^[5]

Restoration

After falling into disrepair for some years, the city of Phoenix purchased the Orpheum Theatre in 1984 and began a 12-year, $14 million restoration. The Conrad Schmitt Studios created the transformation and the Orpheum reopened on January 28, 1997, with a performance of Hello, Dolly! starring Carol Channing.^[5] After the performance, Ms. Channing, still in costume but out of character, thanked the audience for "not turning this beautiful theatre into a parking lot!"