Over time, the theatre fell into disrepair and was scheduled for demolition in the early 1970's. Work of the Blue Grass Region of Kentucky, courtesy of the Blue Grass TrustĪfter its last live performance on October 1, 1926, the Opera House began a long history of use as movie theatre. Tom Thumb, Will Rogers, Mae West, and the Marx Brothers. Many notables have performed in the opera house including: John Phillip Sousa, Mrs. These plays alone should attest to the popularity of opera and the lavish performances that took place in the building. In 1893, approximately 100 animals and a mile-long parade were used for the performance of "A Country Circus." In 1904 a production of "Ben Hur" involved an on-stage chariot race. A production of the "Henley Regatta" in 1890 required a flooding of the stage. Over the years the opera house hosted many large and elaborate performances. Thespian temples in the South, an object of cherished pride in The house as one of the "costliest, handsomest and most convenient An 1893 article in The Kentucky Leader describes Rack, cane and umbrella holder, and springs to help people enter In Turkish morocco and each box was equipped with its own hat The interior of the opera house was lavishly decorated The three-story building originally seatedġ,250 people and had two balconies and two boxes on either side Designed by the noted theatricalĪrchitect Oscar Cobb of Chicago, the opera house was opened onĪugwith a production of "Our Angel" by the LizzieĮvans Stock Company.
The Lexington Opera House was built in 1886 following the destructionīy fire of the earlier opera house. Photograph by Eric Thomason, courtesy of Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation
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