![]() ![]() The Orpheum, which is managed by the Memphis Development Foundation, presents two seasons of Broadway tours. A grand reopening celebration was held in January of 1984, and it signaled the rebirth of entertainment in downtown Memphis. The Orpheum was closed on Christmas in 1982 to begin a $5 million renovation to restore The Theatre to its 1928 opulence. Fifty-four years had taken a toll on the "South's Finest Theatre". However, in 1977 the Memphis Development Foundation purchased The Orpheum and began bringing Broadway Productions and concerts back to The Theatre. ![]() Malco decided to sell the building and there was even talk of demolishing the old theater to build an office complex. #Itheater memphis movie#As vaudeville's popularity waned, The Orpheum was purchased by the Malco movie theater chain in 1940 and presented first run movies until 1976. Lavish tasseled brocade draperies, enormous crystal chandeliers, gilded moldings and the Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ are just a few of its new amenities. The new Orpheum is twice as large as her predecessor and is opulently decorated. In 1928, at a cost of $1.6 million, a new Orpheum was built on the original site of The Grand, but it was a different theater. Then in 1923 a fire broke out during a show that featured a popular Vaudeville performer by the name of Blossom Seeley and burned the theatre to the ground. Vaudeville at The Orpheum was successful for almost two decades. The Grand became part of The Orpheum Circuit of vaudeville shows in 1907, thus the theatre became known as The Orpheum. Vaudeville was the main source of entertainment at the time and acts featured singers, musicians and magicians. The Grand was billed as the classiest theatre outside of New York City. In 1890 The Grand Opera House was built on the corner of Main and Beale Streets. Yet the "South's Finest Theatre" rose above all this and is the premiere performing arts center for the Mid-South. The Orpheum Theatre is truly one of Memphis' most remarkable success stories a theatre able to overcome a variety of adversities that ranged from several untimely bankruptcies, a devastating fire, the decay of downtown Memphis and the threat of demolition for the construction of an office complex. ![]()
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