Sunday Afternoon at the Theatre the Orpheum Edition

The Los Angeles Orpheum Theatre with its fanciful Beaux Arts façade, first opened on February 15, 1926 at a cost of $2 million dollars. Over the years, the Orpheum Theatre has played host to an eclectic list of show business names, from burlesque queen Sally Rand and comedian Jack Benny, to jazz greats like Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, and Duke Ellington.

The 1960s brought a completely new dimension to the theatre–"rock and roll"––with hosting such performers as Little Richard, Aretha Franklin, and Stevie Wonder.

In 1989, Steve Needleman, the Orpheum Theatre’s owner, invested $3 million into its renovation which has brought the Orpheum back to its old day splendor. Now the fully restored Orpheum Theatre is a venue for live concerts, movie premieres, and location shoots.

Just recently, a broadcast of NBC’s America’s Got Talent was hosted here, and an upcoming concert featuring Norah Jones is already sold out.

Here’s a little look inside this great theatre:

The Orpheum also plays host to the “Last Remaining Seats” from the L.A. Conservancy’s annual series of classic films and live entertainment in Los Angeles’ historic theatre district. Tickets for Conservancy members start on March 31, and for the general public on April 14.

With the Orpheum Theatre’s fanciful past and profitable present, Travelin’ Local hopes the restoration and renovation of the remaining Theatres on Broadway, will find ways to reopen and return to hosting entertainment.

To that end, we remain dedicated to that quest by starting with our Sunday Afternoon at the Theatre series.