The Best is Yet to Come

On January 5, 2019 the Orpheum celebrated its 90th anniversary! As part of the celebration, Phoenix Mayor Thelda Williams proclaimed January 5, 2019 "Orpheum Theatre Day" and FOTOT provided five FREE tours of the theatre.

Over 125 people had the chance to experience the beauty of the "Crown Jewel of Downtown Phoenix". During the anniversary year, both FOTOT and the City of Phoenix will be coming up with a number of ways to celebrate the Theatre. So stay tuned!

Gone, But Definitely NOT Forgotten

Carol Channing, the Broadway Baby who became a star at the age of 28 as Lorelei Lee in "Gentleman Prefer Blondes", and became an even bigger star 15 years later starring as Dolly G. Levi in "Hello, Dolly!", passed away on January 15 at the age of 97.

Although other actresses, including Ginger Rogers, Pearl Bailey, Ethel Merman, and Bette Midler, played the part over the years, none could erase the memory of the original "Dolly". Channing went on to tour with Dolly in 1965, and revived the show on tour in 1977, 1982, and 1994.

In 1997 she came out of retirement to perform at the re-opening of the Orpheum Theatre. For one week, before packed houses, she celebrated the re-birth of a historic movie palace. She has an honored place in the Orpheum's Wall of Fame.

And That's Not All, Folks!

The Orpheum continues to gather "rave reviews" from the media. Best Things Arizona ranks the Orpheum as "The Best Historic Theater in Arizona" and Architectural Digest, one of the country's best known design magazines, selected the Orpheum as the "Most Beautifully Designed Theater" in Arizona.

Go to the Press page on our website, fototphx.org, for the full story. Also be certain to watch the interview with David Cruse, Venue Manager for the Orpheum Theatre.