Historic Theaters in Arizona

Information about some of the oldest and most historic theaters in Arizona.

Bird Cage Theatre
This theater in historic Tombstone Arizona first opened on December 25, 1881.

Fox Tucson Theatre
When this Tucson theater was built in 1929 it was called the Tower Theatre and it was part of the Diamos Brothers Lyric Amusement chain of Arizona theaters. By the time the theater first opened on April 11, 1930 it had been acquired by Fox West Coast Theaters and renamed the Fox Tucson Theatre. The theater closed in 1974 but a group called the Fox Tucson Theatre Foundation was formed in July of 1999 with the goal of restoring and reviving the historic Fox Tucson Theater

Grand Theatre
Doulgas Arizona theater built by the Lyric Amusement Company for $250,000 in 1919. When it opened on January 25, 1919 it was one of the largest movie theaters is the American West. The Grand Theater closed in 1985 and it remained empty for many years. At one point the theater was mostly destroyed when the roof caved. In the 1980's the Douglas Arts and Humanities Association was formed to restore and revive the theater, a project that is estimated to cost about $9.5 million.

Orpheum Theater
Historic theater in Flagstaff that was built in 1911 as a movie theater called the Magestic Opera House. The theater was crushed by snow in 1915 and when it was rebuilt in 1917 it was renamed the Orpheum Theater. The Orpheum Theater closed in the 1990's but it reopened in 2002 after being extensively renovated.

Phoenix Theatre
The Phoenix Theatre was founded in 1920 and its programs include theater for adult audiences, performances for children, acting classes and workshops, and the annual "New Works Festival", a series of new plays written by new and established playwrights.

Rialto Theatre
Tucson theater built in 1920 along with the Hotel Congress, which is located across the street. The theater is managed by the Rialto Theatre Foundation.

Yuma Theatre
Built in 1912 as a vaudeville theater and movie house called the Zeller Theater. At that time the theater was 50 feet wide, 125 feet deep, and seating for 900 people. The theater's grand opening took place on February 21, 1912. Today the hisoric Yuma Theater is managed by the City of Yuma.

See also:
More About the Arts in Arizona
Visitor Attractions in Arizona
Arizona for Visitors