Lexington Opera House - Lexington, KY - Live Stage Theaters on Waymarking.com

Originally constructed in 1886 after a fire destroyed the original theatre located on the corner of Main and Broadway, the “new” Opera House, designed by Oscar Cobb, opened it’s doors on July 19, 1887 and quickly gained a reputation as one of the most well-designed and well-equipped theatres in the nation.

After its last live performance on October 1, 1926, the Opera House began a long history of use as movie theatre. A false ceiling was installed in 1930 concealing the second balcony, which was abandoned. Over time, the theatre fell into disrepair and was scheduled for demolition in the early 1970s.

Purchased by the city as part of the Lexington Center, with financial aid provided by The Opera House Fund, Inc., this historic structure was saved from the wrecking ball and reconstruction and renovation began in 1975.

The beautiful theater includes plush décor, red velvet curtains, golden ornamental plaster castings adorn the grand stairway, the proscenium and the queen boxes. Six Chippendale-style mirrors, hand-carved walnut door frames and a French crystal chandelier welcome visitors.

The present Opera House opened with a concert by the Cincinnati Symphony on July 19, 1887, and a month later (Aug. 29) offered its first dramatic event, Our Angel starring Lizzie Evans. For quite a while the theatre itself was the star. When it opened it came equipped with an Edison light board, state of the art at the time, which was still operable at the time of the 1976 renovation. The stage had a complex series of trap doors to enable horses (and other animals) to be used in stage productions. Both these features were innovations in that time and place. The theatre was in two parts, the auditorium and stage area, which backed up to Saunier Avenue as it does today, and reaches about half way to Broadway. It was four stories high, the stage area contained about 2,220 square feet, the auditorium about 3,360. There were two balconies. The original entrances apparently were arcades built on leased property, soon replaced with an entrance lobby 32 feet by 80 1/2 feet, facing Broadway. It had three stories and an alley separated it from the buildings to the north, including a 37 by 57 foot building used for dressing rooms and storage. It was rather obvious the engineering went into the auditorium and stage area, the rest was after-thought.

there was the Henley Regatta (in 1890) for which the stage was flooded and in which most of the action took place in rowboats.

Then, in 1893, came Country Circus, which featured 100 animals and a mile-long parade which comprised the entire third act. Extensive remodeling was needed before Ben Hur could be staged with its on-stage chariot race. The Morning Herald reported that this stage was better equipped than the Broadway stage on which it had opened. Transporting the company involved ten 60-foot baggage cars, two stock cars, ten Pullman sleepers, two-day coaches and two diners. There were no trucks or buses in those days.

Theater Name: Lexington Opera House Country: United States Address: 430 W. Vine Street Lexington, KY United States 40507 Web Site: [Web Link] Venue: Private Theater Type of Productions: Programming at the Opera House offers something for everyone: ballet, opera, children’s productions, family shows, comedy, music and professional national BROADWAY tours! Restored Building: yes Date of Construction: 1886 Architect/Designer: Oscar Cobb Seating Capacity: 1027 Special Productions/Events/Festivals: Broadway LIVE series (in its 25th year) Stage Type: Not listed

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Date Logged Log   03/11/2012 trailhound1 visited it