The Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, Shelby County, United States | Theatre

The Orpheum Theatre is truly one of Memphis' most remarkable success stories in the United States, a theatre able to overcome a variety of adversities that ranged from several untimely bankruptcies, a devastating fire, the decay of downtown Memphis, and the threat of demolition for the construction of an office complex.  Yet The Orpheum Theatre "South's Finest Theatre" rose above all this and is the Mid-South’s premiere performing arts center.

Fifty-four years had taken a toll on the The Orpheum Theatre  was closed on Christmas in 1982 to begin a $5 million renovation to restore its 1928 opulence.  A grand reopening celebration was held in January of 1984, and it signaled the rebirth of entertainment in downtown Memphis.

Throughout the next 20 years, The Orpheum Theatre brought in large-scale Broadway shows, like Phantom of the Opera, Cats, and Les Miserables, while continuing to offer performances from great entertainers like Jerry Seinfeld, Dorothy Hamill, Tony Bennet, the Goo Goo Dolls, and many more.

The Orpheum Theatre is now managed by the Memphis Development Foundation and presents 10-12 Broadway shows each year. Two of  Memphis' local arts groups, Ballet Memphis and Opera Memphis, also call The Orpheum Theatre home.