Hennepin Theatre Trust is now Hennepin Arts.Learn More

078 90BDAY

The Orpheum Theatre, originally known as the Hennepin, opened in 1921 and seats 2,579. Designed by the Milwaukee firm of Kirchoff and Rose in a Beaux Arts style, its first performers included the Marx Brothers with more than 70,000 guests attending the opening week run.

In 1988, the Minneapolis Community Development Agency purchased the Orpheum from singer Bob Dylan and his brother, David Zimmerman, who owned the theatre. Restoration began in 1993 and, to accommodate elaborate Broadway productions, the Orpheum stage was extended almost 20 feet, with the back wall of the theatre painstakingly removed brick by brick.

Productions that have originated at the Orpheum include Victor/Victoria, the pre-Broadway world premiere of Disney’s The Lion King and the national tour premiere of Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA. Hennepin Arts is now the owner and operator of this magnificent structure.

Orpheum Theatre

Seating capacity: 2,621

Specs

Main Floor: 1,569 (20 wheelchair) Balcony: 1,049 (22 wheelchair) Total: 2,621

Load-in Door Size: 8' wide x 10' high Location: 10th Street between Hennepin and Hawthorne Freight Elevator Location: SR Elevator Door Size: 6' wide x 8' high Elevator Compartment Size: 8' wide x 11' high

Proscenium Opening: 54' 4" wide x 28' 8" high

Stage Depth Lip of apron to plaster line: 36" Lip of apron to back wall: 58' Depth of smoke pocket: 6" Curtain line to back wall: 52' 9" Apron to curtain Line: 63" Proscenium wall to back wall columns: 55'

Stage Width SR wall to fly floor SL: 100'

Distance from center stage to: SL: 49' SR: 51' SL Wing: 20' 6" SR Wing: 26'

Plaster line center stage to: First row of seats: 18' First mix position: 35' Second mix position: 104' First Balcony BB: 45' Elevation above stage floor: bottom 24', top 34' Second Balcony BB: 72' - Elevation above stage floor: bottom 29', top 45' Balcony rail center: 44' - Elevation above stage floor: 16' Balcony rail sides: 55' Booth: 134'

Single Purchase Counterweight System Arbor Capacity: 1,200 pounds; 40,000 pounds available Number of line sets: 96, 7-line sets in 51' 10" of fly space Length of pipes: 70' Stage to grid: 65' 6" Maximum fly height: 62' 10" Distance from curtain: - to first set of lines: 1' 1" - to last set of lines: 49' 7"

Lockrail: Stage Level (SR) Pin Rails: 28' above stage floor left, right and back wall 5/8 rope sheaves, 10,000' hemp. (200) Number of one ton lodestar chain hoists: 6 Trap door through grid: 6' 6" x 3' 8" located up stage right by load in door

SOFT GOODS Maroon House Teaser: 9' 6" x 70' Maroon House Curtain: Hangs 2' 3" from proscenium wall 5 – Black Borders: 8' 6" x 70' 1 – Black Border: 18' x 70' 5 sets – Black Legs: 32' x 16' 1 – Black Backdrop: 32' x 70' 1 – White Leno Cloth Cyc: 32' x 70' 1 – Black Sharkstooth Scrim: 32' x 70

Orchestra pit depth from stage: 9' 2" Stage to main floor level: 43.5"

Music stands: 30 Conductors stand: 1 Music stand lights with garlands: 50 Black padded chairs: 30 Bass stools: 3 Wood stools: 3 Chairs: 120

WARDROBE House washers and dryers: 2 (hookup for 3) Steamer: 1 Irons and boards: 2 Tables: eight-foot: 10; six-foot: 6 Rolling wardrobe racks: 12

Rent this theater

Orpheum Seat photo 2 - 2014

We are a non-profit that creates positive change through the arts by bringing together people, businesses and organizations to create and enjoy cultural experiences.

Support Our Work