Astro Theater

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Astro Theater
File:Wiki photo 031b.jpg
Astro Theater is located in Nebraska
Astro Theater
Location Omaha, Nebraska
Coordinates Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Built 1926[2]
Architect John Eberson[2]
Architectural style Classical Revival, Exotic Revival, Other
NRHP Reference # 74001108[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP August 13, 1974
Designated OMAL October 21, 1980[2]

The Astro Theater originally opened as The Riviera and is now known as the Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center or The Rose.[2] It is located at 2001 Farnam Street in downtown Omaha, Nebraska. Built in 1926 in a combination of both Moorish and Classical styles, the building was rehabilitated in 1986.[3]

History

Paramount Theater. Omaha, 1937

Noted for lavish stage shows combined with movies, the Riviera was regarded as one of the most elegant entertainment facilities in the Midwest. John Eberson, a nationally notable architect, built the theater as an example of the "atmospheric" theater popular during the 1920s. In a style created by Eberson, these atmospheric theaters simulated romantic outdoor Mediterranean courtyards with a night sky above, including twinkling stars and drifting clouds.[4]

The exterior of the building features a large copper domed tower, flanked by two smaller towers of similar detailing. The diamond-patterned brick facades contain oriel windows, elaborate cornices, glazed terra-cotta tile copings, and a series of free-standing columns which support griffins.[5]

In 1929, experiencing financial losses, the theater's owner sold the building to Paramount Company and the theater was renamed the Paramount Theater.[6] In 1957, Paramount vacated the lease to Creighton University.[6] Closed for several years, it was later leased to J.S.B. Amusement, and after renovations, was operated as a bowling alley.[6] After only a year of operation, the building once again was remodeled to return it to a theater.[6] It reopened as the Astro theater and continued operations until June 1980.[6]

Now closed and facing possible demolition, Creighton University sold the Astro Theater to Rose Blumkin of the Nebraska Furniture Mart on June 24, 1981.[7] In the early 1990s it was renovated and transformed into the Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center;[8] it became the home of the Omaha Theater Company, which began performing there in 1995.[9]

See also

References

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External links

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ "Tax incentive program projects in Douglas County", Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved 12/2/07.
  4. ↑ "Nebraska National Register Sites in Douglas County", Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved 12/2/07.
  5. ↑ "Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center." Cinema Treasures. Retrieved 12/2/07.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ "Creighton's history brick by brick", The Creightonian Online. Retrieved 12/2/07.
  8. ↑ "Our Story Mrs. B." Nebraska Furniture Mart. Retrieved 12/2/07.
  9. ↑ "The History of Our Company". The Rose Performing Arts. Retrieved 2015-08-05. Archived 2015-03-30 at Wayback Machine.
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