Dive into a world where gilded dreams meet architectural grandeur. Right here at 805 Hennepin Avenue stands the State Theatre. It is a monument to entertainment and design. The State Theatre is one of four restored theaters in the Hennepin Theatre District.
This isn’t just any theater. The State Theatre first opened its doors in 1921. It was immediately hailed as the most technologically advanced theater in the United States. Imagine stepping back in time to opening night. A silent film flickers to life. A newsreel captures moments in time. A travelogue transports you to distant lands.
The State Theatre was designed by Chicago architect J.E.O. Pridmore. His vision was a free Italian Renaissance style. The theater boasted the first well-driven air conditioning system in Minneapolis. Picture this: a cool escape on a hot summer evening.
Underneath your feet, the original stage floor was glass. It was lit from below. The effect was stunning. In 1925, a Wurlitzer pipe organ was installed. Concerts filled the hall every day for a mere 25 cents.
The State Theatre’s original neon marquee stretched across the entire width of the building. In the 1940s, electric bulbs replaced the neon. Large letters spelling “STATE” shone brightly. Today, a recreated neon sign graces the theater’s frontage.
From 1921 to 1978, the State Theatre primarily screened movies. But it also hosted vaudeville acts, concerts and ballet performances. The movie screen was once the largest west of the Mississippi River. Every seat offered a perfect view. In 1970, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” set a national record. It had the longest run of a motion picture in America. The final movie shown was “Tommy” on New Year’s Eve 1975.
Before the State Theatre, this very spot was home to T. B. Walker’s first mansion. It was built in 1874. The home stood for forty years before being demolished to make way for the theater.
From 1978 to 1989, the Jesus People Church occupied the building. The exterior signage changed. Interior alterations were made.
In 1989, the Minneapolis Community Development Agency purchased the LaSalle Plaza block. It included the State. After nearly two years of renovation, the State Theatre reopened in November 1991. The cost was $8.8 million. The Minnesota Opera’s production of “Carousel” marked the grand reopening.
The restored proscenium now spans almost the full width of the building. It curves 100 feet above the stage. The six chandeliers are original. The murals on the walls are also original. Since its reopening, the State has hosted live Broadway touring productions. “Avenue Q,” “Sweeney Todd,” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” have all graced its stage. Concerts by Patti Smith and Gordon Lightfoot have filled the theater with music. The State Theatre even appeared in the 1996 film “Jingle All the Way.”
Today, Hennepin Theatre Trust owns and operates this magnificent structure. It continues to create positive change through the arts. As you leave the State Theatre, remember its rich history. Remember its architectural beauty.