The vibrant history of entertainment in Kansas City, Missouri, is marked by many iconic venues, none more legendary than its two Orpheum Theatres. These grand establishments played a pivotal role in shaping the city’s cultural landscape, from the golden age of vaudeville to the rise of motion pictures, drawing crowds with unparalleled spectacle and luxury.
The First Orpheum: A Vaudeville Pioneer
The journey of the Orpheum Theatre in Kansas City began in 1898, when the Orpheum Theatre and Realty Company leased the former H.D. Clarkâs 9th Street Theatre, boasting 1,998 seats, located at West 9th and May Street. This marked the arrival of the renowned Orpheum Circuit, a national chain of vaudeville theaters founded by Gustav Walter in 1886 with the opening of the Orpheum Opera House in San Francisco.
The circuit quickly distinguished itself by presenting a higher caliber of entertainment than typical burlesque and variety houses. Orpheum bills were elaborate, featuring an array of performers from acrobats and jugglers to talented singers, comedians, humorous playlets, and famous headliners. This diverse programming aimed to appeal to a broad audience, transforming entertainment into a sophisticated experience.
Establishing a Presence in Kansas City
Recognizing Kansas City, Missouri‘s strategic importance due to its railroad connections and burgeoning economy, the Orpheum Circuit chose it as a key hub for expansion. On February 6, 1898, under the management of Martin Lehman, the first Orpheum Theatre opened its doors to a sold-out house, proving that vaudeville could indeed be a high-class affair. Its immediate success was evident, with the Kansas City Journal-Post declaring it “a gold mine” by 1904.
The Grandeur of the Second Orpheum (1212 Baltimore)
The success of the first venue paved the way for an even grander successor. In 1914, a magnificent new Orpheum Theatre, costing $500,000, was completed at 1212 Baltimore, designed to rival the famed Paris Opera House. This opulent structure was a marvel of architecture and interior design, featuring a terra cotta exterior adorned with symbolic carvings of art and music. Inside, the vaulted lobby showcased intricate terra cotta and marble mosaics, leading to a truly luxurious experience.
The 2,220-seat auditorium was a spectacle in itself, with a 40-foot domed roof painted blue and studded with artificial stars. Plush mahogany seats upholstered in leather, spacious ladies’ lounges with maid service, silk draperies, and French carpets epitomized the theater’s commitment to lavish comfort. It opened to immense fanfare on December 26, 1914, quickly becoming a cherished institution for Kansas Citians, attracting a distinguished clientele including civic and business leaders. The prestigious Kansas City Club even reserved the entire sixth row for its members each season.
Meanwhile, the original 9th Street Orpheum Theatre, left vacant and vandalized, was eventually razed in 1922.
From Vaudeville Stars to Silver Screen
For 27 glorious years, the Orpheum Theatre in Kansas City hosted an incredible array of vaudeville luminaries, including legends like Will Rogers, Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, and Sarah Bernhardt. The era also saw the popularity of female impersonators, a tradition that uniquely persisted in Kansas City until the late 1930s, even as national tastes grew more conservative post-Prohibition.
As entertainment evolved, so did the Orpheum. In the 1930s, it transitioned to legitimate theater, and by the 1940s, it became a popular motion picture house. In 1948, Fox Midwest Theatres took over its operation. However, its era of grand entertainment eventually drew to a close. The Orpheum Theatre screened its last film, The Tall Men starring Clark Gable, on November 2, 1955. Purchased in 1956, the iconic building was sadly razed in 1961 to make way for the Muehlebach Convention Center, erasing a significant piece of Kansas City‘s theatrical past.
Conclusion
The Orpheum Theatres of Kansas City, Missouri, represent a bygone era of magnificent entertainment and architectural splendor. From their origins as premier vaudeville houses to their later roles in legitimate theater and cinema, these venues left an indelible mark on the city’s cultural identity. Though physically gone, their legacy lives on in the stories of the stars they hosted and the joyous memories they created for countless Kansas Citians, serving as a testament to the enduring power of performance and the grandeur of a golden age.
