Orpheum Theatre (Madison, Wisconsin)

The Orpheum Theatre is a live performance and musical theater in downtown Madison, Wisconsin, located one block from the Wisconsin State Capitol.

Orpheum Theatre
Marquee of the theatre, viewed from State Street (c.2018)
Address216 State St
Madison, WI 53703-2215
OwnerGus Paras
OperatorLive Nation
Capacity1,697
Construction
OpenedMarch 21, 1927
Construction cost$750,000
($10.9 million in 2019 dollars[1])
ArchitectRapp & Rapp
Website
Venue Website
Orpheum Theatre
Architectural styleBeaux-Arts
NRHP reference No.07001460
Added to NRHPJanuary 23, 2008

History

Built in 1926 by Rapp and Rapp, the Limestone, Art Deco exterior and French Renaissance interior made the building an icon, with the "Orpheum" sign towering over State Street. There have been limited changes to the structure of the building over the years. The terrazzo floors, chandeliers, grand staircase, and statue of Orpheus overlooking the entryway are still intact. Partially financed by dentist William Beecroft, also known as "Mr. Theater," The Orpheum cost $750,000 to build and originally featured vaudeville shows and a movie theater, later featuring contemporary artists and film. The Orpheum sponsors the yearly Madison Independent Film Festival and serves food daily from its Lobby Lounge restaurant.[2]

Facts
  • The Orpheum Theatre was the first building in Wisconsin to have air conditioning; the air conditioner itself takes up an entire room in the basement. Furthermore, it was the first building on its block between Johnson Street and State Street.
  • The Orpheum Theatre originally seated 2,400 people. After renovations in the 1960s to add "The Stage Door" Theatre, only six feet of the original stage was left, and 700 seats were lost, making the capacity 1700. At the time, the Orpheum was part of the 20th Century Theaters chain.
  • The Orpheum nearly burned down on December 19, 2004. It was the third attempted arson on the building. Several other Madison landmark music establishments such as O'Cayz Corral and the Club deWash had burned down mysteriously in previous years.[3]

The Orpheum Theatre in Madison is on The National Register of Historic Places listings in Wisconsin

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See also
  • House Of Blues

References
  1. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  2. Orpheum Theatre-Madison, The Onion, A.V. Madison - website
  3. Investigators say Orpheum theatre fire was arson, Madison.com - website
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