Categories: CommunityEvents/What's HappeningNewsTheater

Historic Lexington Opera House: A Cultural Resilience Story

Historic Lexington Opera House building with crowd outside

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News Summary

The Lexington Opera House has evolved from a barn theater in the 1850s to a premier performance venue, showcasing renowned acts throughout its storied history. Despite setbacks, including fires and years of neglect, strategic restoration efforts helped the Opera House reclaim its status, now serving as a vital cultural center in Lexington, attracting diverse performances and audiences.

Lexington, Kentucky – The Lexington Opera House stands as a testament to the city’s rich cultural history and resilience, having transformed from a modest barn theater into a renowned performance venue. Originally opened in the 1850s with a reputation as a theater in a barn, the Opera House became an important cultural destination by the late 1800s, leveraging its strategic location on the route to the American frontier and the adjacent Transylvania University.

By the mid-1800s, the area around Broadway and Main streets was bustling with theaters and burlesques, and the original Opera House quickly became a popular site for notable performances. Legendary acts, including Edwin Booth, Buffalo Bill Cody, and General Tom Thumb, graced its stage. The venue’s presence was a significant economic driver for the local community, providing business for livery drivers and hoteliers by attracting numerous tourists.

Unfortunately, this promising trajectory faced a devastating setback. On January 15, 1886, a fire destroyed the building in less than an hour, necessitating a swift response from the city. Within a year, a new Lexington Opera House was erected on the same site, officially reopening on July 19, 1887, with a concert by the Cincinnati Symphony. The first production following the reopening was “Our Angel” performed by the Lizzie Evans Stock Company in August 1887.

Throughout its history, the Opera House has continued to attract some of the biggest names in entertainment. From Al Jolson to W.C. Fields and Will Rogers to Harry Houdini, performers of all genres have captivated audiences within its walls. However, with the advent of cinema, the venue underwent drastic changes, including renovations that added false ceilings, segregated seating, and enclosed box seats. The last live performance prior to its decline occurred in 1926 with the staging of “The Arabian.”

In the following decades, the Opera House faced a period of neglect and repurposing. It served various functions, including that of a garage and grocery store, and eventually became a venue for third-run movies. Structural issues compounded the Opera House’s plight, as a strong windstorm in 1968 led to significant damage of its false ceiling, raising concerns about its potential demolition. A second windstorm in 1973 caused a roof collapse, mobilizing local leaders to take action to preserve the building.

In the 1970s, public and private fundraising campaigns were initiated to highlight the historical importance of the Opera House. Building inspectors estimated that renovation would cost approximately $2.5 million, a more feasible option than the $7 million needed for complete reconstruction. Eventually, the city acquired the building, leading to extensive renovations supported by the Opera House Fund, Inc.

The revitalized venue reopened on May 7, 1976, with a performance by the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra featuring violinist Eugene Fodor. The Benefit Premiere and Ball tickets were priced at $50 each, while tickets for Fodor’s subsequent performance sold for $10. In the following week, “Oklahoma” tickets were priced at $8 for the first two levels and $7.50 for the balcony. A May 23 performance by Lou Rawls had tickets at $7.50 and $6.50.

Today, the Lexington Opera House is celebrated as one of the premier performance venues in the region, hosting a wide array of professional touring artists, theatrical productions, and local arts groups. Remarkably, it stands as one of only 14 theaters constructed before 1900 that still operates as a live performance space, underscoring not just its historical significance, but also its vital role in the community’s cultural landscape.