Jefferson Theater (Beaumont, Texas)
History
Designed by the renowned architect Emile Weil, the Jefferson Theatre opened November 14, 1927 at a cost of nearly $1 million. Originally designed for Jefferson Amusement Company the theatre boasts a 3-manual, 8-rank Robert Morton organ. A five-day premiere of recently released "It's A Wonderful Life" (1946) was held at the Jefferson Theatre from March 4-8, 1947, with star James Stewart and director Frank Capra in attendance on March 4, 1947. The theatre closed in 1972 due to a loss of interest in downtown.
By 1997 the theatre was operational again, but was closed in September 2000 for a complete restoration and renovation. The 6.5 million dollar restoration was completed in 2003. As of 2010, the City of Beaumont operates the theatre while the Jefferson Theatre Preservation Society oversees the preservation, promotion and use of the theatre.
Performances
Since the renovation, a number of high-profile artists have performed at the theatre, including Joan Rivers, The Temptations, Lou Rawls, George Carlin, Doobie Brothers, and Lyle Lovett. The theatre also hosts various local acts and events and is home to an annual film festival.
Hurricane Rita
In September 2005, the Vince Vaughn Wild West Comedy Show performance was canceled due to Hurricane Rita (which damaged the theatre and prompted a temporary closure for maintenance and repairs). The theatre reopened for business in December 2005.
Photo gallery
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The auditorium.
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Seating
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Proscenium arch.
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The detail from the stage.
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Looking up.
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Mezzanine decoration detail.
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The Grand Chandelier
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Auditorium Statuary
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The lobby ceiling.
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Grand Staircase
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Lobby Statuary
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Robert Morton Organ
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Jefferson
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Jefferson County, Texas
- Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks in Jefferson County
- Julie Rogers Theater, Beaumont, Texas
References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
- ^ "Jefferson Theatre * 345 Fannin Street * Beaumont, Texas 77701". Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
- ^ "Jefferson Theatre - Beaumont, Texas".
- ^ Jefferson Theatre RestorationBeaumont Archived September 18, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
External links
Media related to Jefferson Theatre at Wikimedia Commons