September 4th marks the 100th anniversary for the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Wichita; the grand opening for the Orpheum was held on Labor Day in 1922.
It was a very hot and humid day when the Orpheum opened, and the little electric fans hanging above the audience were little help. Sweat from patrons caused the dye in the theatre's red leather upholstered seats to fade badly and stain their fine clothing. Orpheum management promised to pay for all the cleaning, and to replace any clothing items damaged beyond repair, a gesture that cost $1,800. Afterwards, until the problem was fixed, "white duck seat covers" were placed on all opera chairs in the auditorium of the Orpheum.
The Orpheum holds a special place in American history; it's sometimes described as the first atmospheric theater in the United States and the oldest one still standing. It was constructed at an initial cost of $750,000, using the best possible building materials available at the time, and the entire office building/theatre complex was built at 1st & Broadway in just seven-and-a-half months.
The Orpheum was designed by noted theater architect John Eberson of Chicago, and conceived as a Spanish garden of old Andalusia, the theatre interior was resplendent with the night sky and shimmering stars associated with atmospheric theaters. Adorned with decorative elements, plaster moldings and arched doorways, the auditorium which initially seated about 1,700 people, looked like a starlit Spanish courtyard.
Eberson's Orpheum in Wichita was the first of what became known as his "atmospheric"-style theatres. His design served as an inspiration for future projects including the Uptown Theater in Kansas City and the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio.
Wichita Orpheum Theatre's original vertical marquee was one of the three largest electric signs in the world. Designed by Eberson, the blade sign was made by Electric Lu-Mi-Nus Signs, Inc of Chicago. Measuring 50 feet tall and 12 feet wide, the sign hung perpendicular above the theatre’s front doors for 18 years.
The Orpheum in Wichita is among 17 Orpheum Theatres will standing in the United States.
The opening-day festivies at the grand opening in 1922 started in the early afternoon with an organ recital, followed by "five big-time vaudeville acts". After that was the showing of a silent film comedy, a parody of The Three Musketeers called "The Three Must-Get-Theres".
The organist and vaudeville acts gave their second show in the early-evening hours, then there was a third vaudeville & movie showing at 9:00 p.m.
The Orpheum on Friday (9/2/2022) is hosting a 100th Anniversary Kick Off & Mural Reveal Party to celebrate its centennial. The event is free and open to the public, with complimentary popcorn and cupcakes.
*6:00 p.m. Doors open
*6:30 p.m. Mural Reveal
*7:00 p.m. Proclamation from mayor Brandon Whipple & A Toast
*7:15 p.m. 100th Video Sneak Peek
*7:20 p.m. The Studio Singers Perform
*8:00 p.m. Open House Continues through 9:00 p.m.