Support the Friends and Join the "Stars"
Just to the east of the Orpheum Theatre is a circular area called “The Avenue of the Stars.” This area contains celebritory bricks that have been purchased over the years to help support the Orpheum. Many bricks honor ordinary citizens, while others were purchased by, or to honor, celebrities, among them Alice Cooper, Claudette Colbert, Frank Sinatra, Hugh Downs, Steven Spielberg, John Wayne, and Mae West.
Since its founding in 1993, the Friends of the Orpheum Theatre (FOTOT) has worked at its mission in support of the Theatre. In addition to conducting free public tours, since 2000 FOTOT has “invested” over $75,000 in the Orpheum, indirectly through its Outreach Program (purchasing tickets to events at the Theatre and distributing them to schools, senior citizen centers, domestic violence shelters, and veterans organizations), and directly by purchasing closed circuit TVs, a movie screen, children’s booster seats, and assisted listening devices for those with hearing impairments. Over the last two years, FOTOT has attracted new audiences to the Orpheum with events such as book signings, ghost tours, and monthly music performances.
If you believe in the Orpheum, and in FOTOT’s mission, become a “Star” by purchasing a brick that will become part of The Avenue of the Stars. You can honor a family member, a relative, or someone you admire. Each brick is $100; you can also order a second brick to be displayed in your home. Click here for all the details.
What's Coming Up at the Orpheum - Now & Then
Now:
March 6 - Phoenix Opera – SW Vocal Competition Finals 2:00
March 8 - Jazz @ the Orpheum 4:30-8:00
Judy Roberts Trio w/Renee Patrick
March 10 - Peter Frampton Raw – An Acoustic Tour 7:30
March 11 - Ghost Tours 7:00 8:00 9:00
March 15 - Free Public Tours Noon and 1:00pm
March 18 - Theatre League Presents “Ragtime” 8:00
March 19 - Theatre League Presents “Ragtime” 2:00 & 8:00
March 20 - Theatre League Presents “Ragtime” 2:00 & 7:00
March 29 - Free Public Tours Noon and 1:00pm
March 31 - Shen Yun Performing Arts 7:30
April 1 - Shen Yun Performing Arts 8:00
April 2 - Shen Yun Performing Arts 2:00 7:30
April 3 - Shen Yun Performing Arts 1:00 6:00
April 5 - Shen Yun Performing Arts 7:30
April 6 - Shen Yun Performing Arts 7:30
April 8 - The 3 Tenors (Who Can’t Sing) 8:00
April 12 - China Oriental Song & Dance Troupe 7:30
April 18 - Jazz @ the Orpheum 4:30-8:00
April 30 - David Sedaris 8:00
Then:
February 25 – March 3, 1969
By the time he appeared at the Palace-West (as the Orpheum was then called) Johnny Mathis was one of America’s best known singers. Backed by a full orchestra, he played to sold-out audiences for a week; as the Gazette headlined “Johnny Mathis Pleases [the] Audience.” Also on the bill was a local group, The Craig Huntly Trio.
Support the Friends
Attention Fry’s Shoppers – Donate to the Friends every time you shop at Fry’s, and it’s free. Fry’s is donating $2 million a year ($500,000/quarter) to Arizona non-profits. To participate, go to www.FrysCommunityRewards.com and register your Fry’s VIP card, and select Friends of the Orpheum Theatre as your non-profit of choice. Remember: your donation is free, and this program is separate from the gas program. Last year, the Friends received nearly $700 from Fry’s. Also: if you are already a member of the Program you have to re-register in August. Just go to the e-mail location shown above and follow the directions to re-enroll.
Give Kids a Boost – It’s often difficult for young children to see what’s happening on stage because they are “vertically challenged.” Now you can help the Friends solve this problem by purchasing a booster seat. The purchase price is $25, and each seat purchased will be labelled with the name of the purchaser. Visit our website, www.friendsoftheorpheumtheatre.org for more information.
Become a Member of the Friends – Join us as we preserve and illuminate the heritage of the glorious Orpheum Theatre. Visit our website to learn more.
Friends of the Orpheum Theatre
A 501c3 nonprofit whose Mission is:
To support the art, culture, and history of the Orpheum Theatre through outreach, education, and volunteerism.