Orpheum Theatre Facts
- Built in 1929 in a style known as Spanish Baroque Revival at a cost of $750,000, by J.E. Rickards and Harry Nace for movies and vaudeville.
- Purchased by the Paramount movie chain in 1949, its name changed to Paramount. Sold to James Nederlander in 1968 for live stage productions and named changed to Palace West.
- The city of Phoenix purchased the Orpheum Theatre in 1984.
- It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
- The Orpheum is the last remaining example of theatre palace architecture in Phoenix and is the only theatre designated historic in the Valley.
- The city of Phoenix 1988 citizens bond election authorized $7 million for Orpheum restoration. The Phoenix Civic Plaza Building Corporation authorized additional funding.
- Supported and organized by the Junior League of Phoenix, the Orpheum Theatre Foundation was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1989 to raise private sector funds to supplement the publicly authorized funds for a full restoration.
- Restoration construction was completed in four phases at a total cost of more than $14 million. Van Dijk, Pace Westlake Architects was the restoration architect. Huntcor was the general contractor on phases 1 and 2; Joe E. Woods, Inc. was the general contractor on phase 3 --the historic interior restoration. Kitchell CEM was the development manager for the city. Conrad Schmitt Studios did decorative interior painting and mural restoration.
- In recognition of their leadership and significant contribution to the Capital Campaign, the auditorium has been named the Lewis Auditorium, dedicated to Delbert and Jewell Lewis and family.
- The Orpheum re-opened on January 28, 1997 with Carol Channing in "Hello Dolly!"
- The 1,364 seat auditorium (1,062 seats on orchestra level; 302 in balcony) complements the other venues in the Valley and joins the larger capacity Symphony Hall and the more intimate auditoriums at the Herberger Theater Center to create a downtown theatre district.
The Friends of the Orpheum provides volunteer support and community education activities, and supports the theatre's special needs through fund-raising activities and other public events.
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