Tampa Theatre

Coordinates: 27°57′0″N 82°27′32″W / 27.95000°N 82.45889°W / 27.95000; -82.45889

The Tampa Theatre is a historic U.S. theater and city landmark in Downtown Tampa, Florida. Designed as an atmospheric theatre-style movie palace by architect John Eberson, it opened on October 15, 1926.

Tampa Theatre

Exterior of venue (c.2006)
Full name	Tampa Theatre Building
Address	711 N Franklin St Tampa, FL 33602-4435
Location	Downtown Tampa
Owner	City of Tampa
Operator	The Arts Council of Hillsborough County
Capacity	1,252
Construction
Broke ground	April 12, 1925 (1925-04-12)
Opened	October 15, 1926 (1926-10-15)
Renovated	1976-77; 1992; 2009; 2011-12; 2017
Construction cost	$1.2 million ($18.5 million in 2021 dollars^[1])
Architect	John Eberson
Website
tampatheatre.org
Tampa Theatre
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Architectural style	Mediterranean Revival
NRHP reference No.	78000945^[2]
Added to NRHP	January 3, 1978

The theatre features a wide range of independent, foreign, and documentary films. It is Tampa's only non-profit movie palace, and operating costs are supported by its members, donors, and corporate sponsors, as well as by ticket and concessions sales. It has often been used as a backdrop for movies, music videos, and local programming.^{[citation needed]}

History

 

Tampa Theatre box office, 2012

Tampa Theatre was the first commercial building in Tampa to offer air conditioning.^[3] The theatre's interior resembles a romantic Mediterranean courtyard replete with old-world statuary, flowers, and gargoyles. On the ceiling is an artificial nighttime sky with stars on it.

By the 1960s and 70s, many American movie palaces were demolished because the land beneath them became more valuable than the theatre operation.^[4]

In 1973, the theatre faced the same fate. But the citizens rallied and committees were formed. City leaders became involved, and soon a deal was reached to have the City rescue the Tampa Theatre by assuming its leases. The Arts Council of Hillsborough County agreed to program and manage the Tampa Theatre with films, concerts, and special events. By the time the Theatre reopened in early 1978, the Tampa Theatre had become something of a national model on how to save an endangered theater.

 

Tampa Theatre logo etched on one of its windows

In 1992, restoration efforts were led by the Tampa Theatre Foundation after the building caught fire in 1991. The theatre presents and hosts over 600 events a year including a full schedule of the first run and classic films, concerts, special events, corporate events, tours, and educational programs.

Since its rescue in 1978, the theatre has welcomed over five million guests including over one million school children for school field trips and summer camps in the context of one of Tampa's largest historic preservation projects.

It was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, is a Tampa City Landmark, and is a member of the League of Historic American Theatres.

The theatre has undergone many restoration projects as well as equipment upgrades. The most recent restoration project was the replacement of the marquee which includes the vertical blade sign and the canopy. The completion was marked by the Marquee Lighting Ceremony which took place on January 16, 2004.^{[citation needed]}

The theatre operates The Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ and the instrument is played before nightly films. The organ is played and maintained by a team of volunteer organists from the Central Florida Theatre Organ Society.^[5]

In the spring of 2013, during its 86th year of existence, efforts began to convert to digital picture and sound (with the exception of productions that are only available in the movie reel format) and screened a free showing of Samsara to celebrate the transition. The switch to digital occurred at a cost of $150,000.^[6]

In late 2017, the Theatre closed for six weeks to complete the first phase of its long-term restoration plan, a $6 million renovation that updated the electrical systems, re-seated the auditorium with seats designed to match the original look from 1926, added a new and expanded concessions stand and bar, installed a new emergency power system, and protected the building from storms by installing new storm rated windows and doors on the Florida Avenue side of the building. The seating capacity was reduced from 1,446 to 1,238 to improve comfort and legroom. A new carpet, designed to match the original 1926 design, was installed, as well as a new grand drape and valance for the proscenium arch also designed to match the original.

The lobby paint and plaster were restored to their original palette by crews from EverGreene Studios, in New York, including the replication of four tapestries to replace the faded and worn tapestries from 1926. The original tapestries were transferred to the Tampa Bay History Center for preservation.

In popular culture

The glam metal band Sleeze Beez filmed the music video for the song "Stranger Than Paradise" at the theater.^[7][8]

Noted performers

• Gregg Allman Band^[9]
• Tori Amos (3 times)
• Blondie
• Lindsey Buckingham
• David Byrne^[10]
• Colbie Caillat
• Ray Charles
• Harry Chapin
• Chris Cornell
• Miranda Cosgrove
• Elvis Costello
• Jamie Cullum
• Ani DiFranco^[11]
• Dr. John
• The Dresden Dolls
• Drive-By Truckers
• Steve Earle
• Jimmy Fallon
• Genesis
• Gov't Mule (3 times)
• Arlo Guthrie^[12]
• Buddy Guy
• Emmylou Harris
• Iron Butterfly
• Joe Jackson
• Albert King
• B.B. King (9 times)
• Kris Kristofferson
• Ray LaMontagne
• Amos Lee
• John Legend
• Gordon Lightfoot
• Darlene Love
• Love and Rockets
• Shelby Lynne
• Aimee Mann
• Dave Mason
• Matisyahu
• Jessica Lea Mayfield
• Delbert McClinton
• Pat Metheny Group
• Randy Newman
• Nickel Creek
• Night Ranger (3 times)
• New Order
• Old Crow Medicine Show^[13]
• The Police
• Iggy Pop
• Postmodern Jukebox
• Psychedelic Furs
• Queensrÿche
• Ramones
• Damien Rice
• Todd Rundgren
• Leon Russell
• Joe Satriani
• Boz Scaggs
• Sister Hazel
• Phoebe Snow
• Spyro Gyra
• Tegan and Sara
• Third Eye Blind
• George Thorogood
• Wilco
• "Weird Al" Yankovic
• Warren Zevon
• Andrew Dice Clay^[14]

Gallery

•  
•  
•  
•  

References

1. 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved April 16, 2022.
2. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
3. "Step Inside The Tampa Theatre". WUSF Public Media. Retrieved 2022-10-19.
4. "Preserving Tampa's History – Tampa Theater – Eclipse Building Corp". Retrieved 2022-10-19.
5. Todd Beck (15 August 2009). "Tampa Theatre Mighty Wurlitzer organ" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
6. Dalia Colon (1 May 2013). "After 87 Years, Tampa Theatre Goes Digital". WUSF News. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
7. applesandgrits (19 May 2009). "The Tampa Theatre" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
8. donvanspall (30 December 2007). "Sleeze Beez - Stranger Than Paradise" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
9. "Tampa Theatre, Tampa, FL, USA Concert Setlists | setlist.fm". setlist.fm.
10. Leilani Polk. "David Byrne at Tampa Theatre Review".
11. MaxSenn (12 March 2008). "Ani DiFranco - The Atom (03.11.2008) Tampa" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
12. Shelley Renee Perfect (9 March 2009). "Arlo Guthrie Tampa Theatre March 2009" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
13. alpine1985 (12 February 2009). "Old Crow Medicine Show with The Felice Brothers" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
14. "REH on the Road presents Andrew Dice Clay". TBNweekly.

External links

• Official website  
• Maps and Aerial Photos on Google Maps
• 360° Virtual Tour of the Tampa Theatre from TBO.com
• Tampa Theatre at flheritage.com
• Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. FL-386, "Tampa Theatre, Tampa, Hillsborough County, FL", 2 color transparencies, 1 photo caption page
• Tampa Theatre at Cinema Treasures