Orpheum Theater

In 1921, a hush fell over the expectant crowd at the Orpheum Theater. The grand opening night was about to begin. The New Orleans Item described it as a “gala night at the opera”. Socially elite attendees filled the orchestra level, eager for their first glimpse of the new theater. The Orpheum Theater wasn’t just for the wealthy though. It also served a wider community, albeit a segregated one. While white patrons enjoyed the first balcony, accessible from the main foyer, Black patrons were relegated to the second balcony, reached via exterior alleys. This stark reality of segregation was woven into the very fabric of the Orpheum Theater’s early days. Architect G. Albert Lansburgh, renowned for his opulent designs, had created a three-story masterpiece. Marble mosaic floors graced the lobbies. Twenty-two dressing rooms spanned across all three floors, ready to accommodate a myriad of performers. Initially, the Orpheum Theater showcased vaudeville acts, provided by the Keith-Orpheum Circuit. These “big time” acts aimed to attract a “classy audience”, akin to those who frequented Broadway plays. Interestingly, the Orpheum Theater’s original plans included a film projector. This foreshadowed a shift in entertainment preferences. By 1931, films had overtaken vaudeville as the main attraction. The Great Depression, with its musician and stagehand strikes, solidified this change. Vaudeville was abandoned, and the Orpheum Theater became a dedicated movie palace, the home of RKO pictures. Decades later, in 1981, the Orpheum Theater underwent a significant renovation. The historical details were meticulously preserved. The New Orleans Symphony, later renamed the Louisiana Philharmonic, made the Orpheum Theater its home until Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The storm left the theater flooded and silent. It wasn’t until 2015, after extensive restoration, that the Orpheum Theater reopened its doors. Today, the Orpheum Theater continues to captivate audiences with its grandeur and rich history. From vaudeville to silent films to the Louisiana Philharmonic, the Orpheum Theater has witnessed the evolution of entertainment, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of New Orleans.