“Remember those first films in the Western US?” I asked. The Historic Elitch Gardens Theatre here in Denver holds that history. It’s more than just a theatre. It’s a piece of American drama. Opened in 1890 it was the centerpiece of Elitch Gardens. The first zoo west of Chicago was right here. This was Denver’s first professional theatre. From 1893 to the 1960s it housed America’s first and oldest summer-stock theatre company. Imagine Cecil B DeMille sending yearly telegrams wishing them success. He called it “one of the cradles of American drama”.
The story of the Historic Elitch Gardens Theatre is full of legendary performers. Sarah Bernhardt graced this stage in 1906 after the San Francisco earthquake. A young Douglas Fairbanks swept the stage here for tickets before becoming a star. The theatre hosted vaudeville acts. It showcased the Boston Opera Company performing musicals and light opera. The first films shown in Colorado were projected here in 1896 using Edison’s Vitascope.
Mary Elitch Long a remarkable woman ran Elitch Gardens. She maintained the theatre’s high standards. Her legacy extended to nurturing new talent. The theatre company itself became an independent business in 1963 renting the theatre. It continued to thrive for years until changing times and neglect took their toll. The Trocadero Ballroom unfortunately was demolished in 1975. The community recognizing its historical significance added the theatre to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
The Historic Elitch Gardens Theatre’s last season was in 1987. Then one night musical acts followed until its official closure in 1991. Raymond Burr even raised $2 million for an educational program. The money was donated to a local school instead. The Elitch Gardens amusement park relocated in 1994. The original property was sold with conditions that the theatre and carousel remain.
Years of neglect damaged the theatre. The interior needed a massive volunteer cleanup. It was opened for Doors Open Denver in 2012. Musicians and Shakespearean performers returned to the stage after 22 years. Tragically the historic “Anne Hathaway” curtain was discovered to be destroyed by time and improper storage.
A nonprofit organization the Historic Elitch Gardens Theatre Foundation was formed in 2002. They undertook a multi-phase restoration project. Millions in funding and donations went into saving this historical landmark. Phase 1 restored the exterior. Phase 2 included safety upgrades. Phase 3 added restrooms and more. Fundraising continues for the interior renovations.
The hope is to reopen the Historic Elitch Gardens Theatre as a multimedia performing arts complex. It will offer education film live music and theatre. The theatre’s past is rich and vibrant. Its future holds the promise of renewed creativity and entertainment for generations to come. This is more than just a theatre. It’s a legacy. It’s Denver.