The Orpheum Theatre opened in 1926 as part of the famed Orpheum vaudeville circuit and quickly became one of the crown jewels of Los Angeles’ historic Broadway Theatre District. Designed by architect G. Albert Lansburgh, it showcases an impressive Be... read moreaux-Arts façade and an opulent interior filled with marble finishes, gilded details, stained-glass rosettes, and glittering chandeliers. Its grand two-story lobby and richly decorated auditorium reflect the height of early 20th-century theater design, offering audiences a sense of elegance and spectacle from the moment they arrive.

The theater seats just under 2,000 guests across orchestra, loge, balcony, and box levels, with a stage designed to handle both live performance and film. The proscenium arch spans roughly 50 feet wide and nearly 30 feet high, supported by a full counterweight fly system more than 60 feet tall. A highlight of the venue is its Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ, installed in 1928 and fully restored in the early 2000s, which remains one of the few still functioning in its original location.

Over the years, the Orpheum has hosted legendary performers including Judy Garland, Duke Ellington, and the Marx Brothers, before transitioning to show films and later becoming a hub for concerts, premieres, and TV or film shoots. After undergoing extensive restoration in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, it has regained much of its original grandeur. Today, it continues to thrive as a versatile and vibrant cultural landmark in downtown Los Angeles, celebrated for both its history and its ongoing role as a premier entertainment venue.