Springer Opera House - Columbus, GA - Live Stage Theaters on Waymarking.com

From Wikipedia

The Springer Opera House is a historic live performance theater located in downtown Columbus, Georgia. First opened February 21, 1871, the theater was named the State Theatre of Georgia by Governor Jimmy Carter for its 100th anniversary season, a designation made permanent by the 1992 state legislature. The Springer has hosted legendary performers such as Edwin Booth, Ethel Barrymore, Agnes de Mille, and bandleader John Phillip Sousa. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and named a National Historic Landmark in 1978.

Historic Marker located at the Springer Opera House:

Theater in Columbus found its finest home on February 27, 1871, when Francis Joseph Springer, Originally from Alsace, opened his opera house. The Springer's forty foot deep stage held a continuous round of shows of every description.

Here Edwin Booth played Hamlet, February 15, 1876, on his first Southern tour after the War. “Blind Tom” Bethume, the Negro musical prodigy born near Columbus, performed here often. Oscar Wilde and Williams Jennings Bryan lectured here. John L. Sullivan, the world champion gave a boxing exhibition, and Mrs. John Drew grandmother of the Barrymores, starred in She Stoops to Conquer. Here in 1928, Franklin Delano Roosevelt delivered a “Happy Warrior” speech in behalf of presidential nominee Al Smith.

In 1902 the Springer sons completely renovated their opera house. From that time until it became a movie house in 1941, the Springer continued to be the city's cultural center.

In 1959 the Springer closed and in the Spring of 1964, The Columbus Little Theater Opera House Trustees was formed to prevent its destruction. On October 6, 1965, The Little Theater's musical production of St. Elmo, based upon the Victorian novel by Columbus-born author, Augusta Evans Wilson, was presented amidst the Springer's restored Victorian splendor.

GHM 106-31 Georgia Historical Commission 1966

Theater Name: Springer Opera House Country: USA Address: 105 10th St. Columbus, GA USA 31901 Web Site: [Web Link] Venue: Private Theater Type of Productions: Childerns theatre, musicals and plays. The Springer Opera House casts a wide variety of actors in its musicals and plays. The most talented, best trained local artists perform alongside union and non-union actors from around the nation. The Springer also engages in non-traditional and colorblind casting and artists of all cultural backgrounds are encouraged to audition. Restored Building: yes Date of Construction: 2/21/1871 Architect/Designer: Francis Joseph Springer Stage Type: Proscenium Special Productions/Events/Festivals: To Kill a Mockingbird Carousel Greater Tuna A Christmas Carol The Big Friendly Giant Seating Capacity: Not Listed

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