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Phoenix Walking Tour- Historic Downtown and Heritage Square
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Built in 1929 as a premier vaudeville house, the Orpheum was the last major construction project in Phoenix before the onset of the Great Depression. It was converted to a movie theater over time, and by the late 1960s, much of the fine interior work had fallen into disrepair, while some its intricate murals had been painted over, either to hide the decline or to Black out the murals in order to focus attention on the silver screen. By the 1980s the theater was abandoned, but a campaign by the Junior League raised awareness of the need to preserve the historic theater. Today, it has been completely renovated and is one of the finest entertainment venues in the city.

Construction of the theater began in 1927 and was completed two years later.

Construction of the theater began in 1927 and was completed two years later.

Mae West makes an appearance

Mae West makes an appearance

The Orpheum today after a multi-million dollar renovation

The Orpheum today after a multi-million dollar renovation

Interior of the theatre.

Interior of the theatre.

Interior details.

Interior details.

Exterior details.

Exterior details.
The Orpheum Theater is of Spanish Medieval and Baroque Revival-style. It is Phoenix's only remaining example of theater palace architecture. Originally built for vaudeville in 1929 shortly before the Great Depression, the Orpheum is the only theater in the Valley designated as historic. In 1987 it was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places and received its landmark designation in 2004.

When television became popular in the late 1950s to early '60s, the Orpheum and other theaters were replaced as mainstream America's main form of entertainment. The Orpheum remained reasonably successful for close to two decades thereafter but changed hands a few times. In efforts to "modernize" the theater and increase attendance, various owners during this time eradicated much of the theater's original artistry. By 1980, the once elegant Orpheum Theater had fallen into disrepair.

In 1984, the City of Phoenix purchased the downtown theater, and together with the Orpheum Foundation (founded by The Junior League of Phoenix), soon began a major restoration project. After 12 years and more than $14 million (about half of which was funded by voter-approved bonds), the Orpheum was restored to its former grandeur, and reopened in 1997 with Carol Channing in “Hello Dolly.”

Audience Chamber
  • The audience chamber (now called the "Lewis Auditorium" in honor of Jewell and Delbert Lewis and family), is an awe-inspiring space that effectively simulates a fine Spanish villa's courtyard.
  • The famous ceiling imitates a bright sunset with moving clouds by employing colored cove lights. When the lights go down, the ceiling becomes a dark "sky" with twinkling stars.
  • Ornate plaster columnns are covered with gold leaf accents, and a clay tile roof lays atop the rear wall's arched opening.
  • Elaborate elliptical staircases and banisters are on both sides of the chamber, one featuring foil peacocks with aqua glaze, the other Phoenix birds, cherubs, and starbursts.
  • Beautiful wall murals by David Swing, one of Phoenix’s most prolific and best-known artists of the early 20th century, once again display mountains, canyons and Arizona plants.

Fun Facts

  • There used to be a special room under the theater where vaudeville acts housed their animals.
  • The Theater's Mighty Wurlitzer Pipe Organ was restored, thanks to the Valley of the Sun Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society.
  • Theater seats are restored originals, and still bear the initials 'N' and 'R' for the Orpheum's builders, Harry Nace and J. E. Rickards.
  • The Orpheum Theater, the Herberger Theater Center and Symphony Hall collectively make up Phoenix's downtown theater district.
You can enjoy concerts, plays, operas, dance productions, comedy shows and more at the Orpheum, and can even rent the theater for your own personal or business event. 

1. "Orpheum Theatre Phoenix," Official Website, accessed, September 15, 2016. https://www.phoenixconventioncenter.com/orpheum-theatre 

2. "Friends of the Orpheum Theatre," Official Website, accessed, September 15, 2016. http://www.friendsoftheorpheumtheatre.org 

3. "Phoenix Convention Center Ticket Office," tickets to Orpheum Theater productions/events, accessed September 15, 2016. https://phoenix.ticketforce.com/#! 

4. "Orpheum Ghost Tours," Friends of Orpheum Theatre annual fundraiser, tickets for October tours, accessed September 15, 2016. http://www.orpheumghosttours.com 

5. "Orpheum Theatre," Phoenix Points of Pride Directory website (includes history of the theatre), accessed September 15, 2016. http://www.discoverphoenixarizona.com/orpheum-theater.html 

6. "Orpheum Theatre," National Park Service historic property information, accessed September 15, 2016. http://focus.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/85002067 

7. "Orpheum Theatre-Phoenix," Facebook page, accessed September 15, 2016. https://www.facebook.com/OrpheumTheatrePhx/?ref=ts&fref=ts 

8. "Orpheum Theatre," Instagram account, accessed, September 15, 2016. https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/298789892/ 

9. "Orpheum Theater (Phoenix, Arizona)," Wikipedia entry, accessed, September 15, 2016. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orpheum_Theatre_(Phoenix,_Arizona) 

10. "Orpheum Theatres: Your independent guide to Orpheum Theatres worldwide," Official Website, accessed September 15, 2016. http://orpheum-theater.com 

11. "Tour of the Phoenix Symphony Hall & Orpheum Theatre," YouTube video, 2013, 2:10 minutes (Orpheum Theatre portion begins at 1:07 minutes), accessed September 15, 2016. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FSz-qPtpkE