The Roberts Orpheum Theater

urbanstlouis · PostDec 31, 2004#12004-12-31T18:47+00:00

The <A HREF="http://www.robertsorpheum.com/">Roberts Orpheum Theater</A> website is online with plenty of photos of the building- interior and exterior. The last time I was in the building was when it was still the American Theatre and before the Pageant opened over on Delmar.

link:

http://www.robertsorpheum.com/

Guest · PostDec 31, 2004#22004-12-31T22:14+00:00

I have waited for this theatre to be renovated. YEAH - cannot wait to go back inside. We went to see Margaret Cho there about 1 year ago and this theatre is beautiful inside... now after the new renovations - it should even be more grand...

great venue for downotown theatre goers

xing · PostDec 31, 2004#32004-12-31T22:51+00:00

I can't wait. Are they doing anything about the sign outside? It can be far more grand than what it's currently like.

MattnSTL · PostJan 01, 2005#42005-01-01T00:32+00:00

Not sure about the sign, but I agree that they could definately make it into more of a showpeice.

steve · PostJan 02, 2005#52005-01-02T00:31+00:00

I think we can safely assume that the sign will be replaced or refurbished.

I love this building. Love its location. And I love love the idea that it will be used for so many different puposes.

I think its about time downtown had some kind of movie theater like the one in the Moolah Temple.

Just imagine when there's a convention in town, a show at the Opera House--when this happens--a hockey game, a football game, and something at the Orpheum--that would definitely be a cool night to be in downtown.

debaliviere · PostJan 02, 2005#62005-01-02T16:18+00:00

I agree, a movie theater would be awesome. Especially one like the theater at the Chase, that shows art/independent films.

I think that the Orpheum/American is going to feature live music shows, geared towards an older audience, if I'm not mistaken. It's unfortunate that it is the only old theater left downtown. If the Ambassador Building hadn't been demolished for that ridiculous "plaza" in front of the U.S. Bank Building, it would have been the perfect place to show movies.

PostJan 02, 2005#72005-01-02T16:20+00:00

It really is a great theater, and the sound is great as well. I've seen some great concerts there (Wilco!) and miss being able to see live music there.

xing · PostJan 02, 2005#82005-01-02T20:20+00:00

Imagine a night with the Orpheum and the Kiel Opera House having shows.

falloutboy · PostJan 03, 2005#92005-01-03T02:54+00:00

My wife and I were married in this theater. We're told we were the first to do so. (at least in recent years)

urbanstlouis · PostMar 03, 2005#102005-03-03T18:08+00:00

<A HREF="http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/busine ... B">Orpheum seems almost ready to fill in the stage and shadows</A>

By Martin Van Der Werf

Of the Post-Dispatch

03/03/2005

After more than a year of renovation - new seats, new lighting, new restrooms, even a new party room beneath the stage - the Roberts Orpheum theater on Ninth Street will reopen to the public April 10.

<A HREF="http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/busine ... B90037D69B">>>> read more</A>

debaliviere · PostMar 03, 2005#112005-03-03T19:13+00:00

I wish Van Der Werf wrote more columns - he always has good things to report!

Anyway - the Backstreet Boys?? What?? I thought that the bookings at the Orpheum would be adult contemporary/R&B for a more mature audience. Backstreet just seems a little strange to me - I didn't even know those guys were still performing. Backstreet's back, all right!

I thought that the Roberts Bros. had purchased that building on Fourth Street several years ago. It looks better than it used to - the paint has been removed from the exterior, but it still has a lot of rehab work left to be done. Maybe now that their other projects are done, they'll focus on that one.

stlmike · PostMar 04, 2005#122005-03-04T18:52+00:00

I was worried that all the great acts would continue to go to the Pageant and the FOX even after the Roberts Orpheum reopened.

BRIAN WILSON, however, will be performing August 24th according to his website at the wonder Roberts Orpheum (American) Theatre. This is good news. I have always felt that St Louis needs a music venue of this size. Something that would be a healthy medium betweeen the "too clean" Pageant, the "too large" FOX, and the "not really a theatre" Mississippi Nights. Not to mention the perfect location. I'm excited!

matguy70 · PostMar 04, 2005#132005-03-04T20:05+00:00

I liked the Backstreet comments... hehehe

I would like to see the theatre used also for some Broadway productions or plays in the future as well.

smsplanstu · PostMar 05, 2005#142005-03-05T01:11+00:00

The Pagent has played host to extreme heavy metal bands and even those with wrongful unclean acts before they begin such as sacrificing animals, now that's pegan! We all know who the ultimate sacrifice is, therefore the animal sacrifices at the Pagent by extreme bands and groups means the Pagent is not fully clean. Now the Family Arena epitomizes clean. The Pagent is a great place for Christian concerts.

stlmike · PostMar 07, 2005#152005-03-07T00:06+00:00

Here are the scheduled dates for the Orpheum:

Sunday, April 10

Backstreet Boys

Sunday, April 17

Hydra, featuring Mickey Hart & Particle

Thurs., April 21

The Doors

Friday, April 22

Rob Thomas

Tuesday, April 26

Mary Chapin Carpenter with special guest Mindy Smith

Saturday, May 07

Joe Jackson & Todd Rundgren

Friday, May 20

Bill Maher

Thurs., June 09

Spyro Gyro

Wed., June 22

Jazz Attack: Rick Braun, Jonathan Butler, Richard Elliot, and Peter White

Friday, July 22

Dave Koz

Friday, July 29

Rick Springfield

Saturday, Aug. 06

Chris Issak

Wed., Aug. 24

Brian Wilson

arch city · PostMar 07, 2005#162005-03-07T01:13+00:00

Interesting. I wonder if these acts would have skipped St. Louis if not for the Orpheum or if they would have played the Fox or Pageant?

I think these are some good acts. This theatre is going to add more vibrancy to downtown.

Great news.

matguy70 · PostMar 07, 2005#172005-03-07T02:50+00:00

Definately.

Many of the Smooth Jazz artist are being brought to The Orpheum by Smooth Jazz 106.5

What a great venue to see them in... better than the Pageant!

courtland · PostMar 07, 2005#182005-03-07T03:16+00:00

man STL has some nice venues around town.

brickandmortar · PostMar 11, 2005#192005-03-11T14:41+00:00

This was in todays Deb Peterson column, I don't understand this rule at all!!

ZONED OUT: Tough sign language from the city is keeping brothers Steve and Mike Roberts from putting the finishing touches on their Roberts Orpheum Theater, formerly the American Theatre. The Roberts want to replace the theater's marquee with a pair of electronic displays. But city zoning czars stopped the show, saying the proposed signs are too big and violate city sign regs, specifically a section that states no downtown sign shall "flash, blink, fluctuate or be animated." The Roberts brothers have a hearing on Wednesday, just weeks before they hope to have the Backstreet Boys name lighting up their new display.

>>>SOURCE<<<

matguy70 · PostMar 11, 2005#202005-03-11T14:53+00:00

That is crazy talk!

I think that would look great! It would probably look like the Pageants marquee I bet (electronic).

What about the old Time and Temperature animated signs (OK, I know that isn't quite the same) or how about Busch Stadiums Huge obnoxious sign with a digital board? The SHALL Buildings new sign is animated in a sense (Blinking from letter to letter). They need to bring this up at city hall... obviously someone had this on the books a long time ago (I pressume) and need to update!

debaliviere · PostMar 11, 2005#212005-03-11T15:31+00:00

What about the huge sign out in front of the convention center - that thing is always flashing and blinking with animated graphics.

And what is so bad about flashing and blinking? I love all of the animated advertisements in Times Square and all the energy they contribute to the streetscape - we could use more stuff like that downtown.

matguy70 · PostMar 11, 2005#222005-03-11T15:32+00:00

Forgot about that one! AND what about all the electronic huge signs around the Edward Jones Dome and that huge huge one on the freeway for the dome?

Something sounds fishy!

I wonder if the new Orpheum sign looks a little like the one on this Orpheum in Wichita (of all places)

not a bad marquee

brickandmortar · PostMar 11, 2005#232005-03-11T15:47+00:00

I like that marquee matguy. I'm sure all of this dumb stuff can be explained by our city zoning folks by, 'well downtown is described as south of Washington north of spruce west of the river and east of Tucker (duhdumdeedum) that's why we can't allow this big sign here'

This is about as dumb as the rule that won't allow buildings taller than the Arch.

debaliviere · PostMar 11, 2005#242005-03-11T16:09+00:00

If they could add neon to the Orpheum marquee, that would be sweet!

par · PostMar 11, 2005#252005-03-11T16:47+00:00

Before everyone blasts the city sign regs, does anyone know what exactly was proposed for the Orpheum? I think we're jumping the gun a bit. Here is the zoning code for sign regulations.

http://www.slpl.lib.mo.us/cco/code/data/t2668.htm

Sign regs are a good thing in DT (when done correctly) they also can be too strict and prohibit creativity.

Also, I dont think neon in and of itself is prohibited. But again what exactly was proposed? I dont think a times square type sign that wraps around the corner and covers the entire bldg top to bottom would be a good solution here.