Information
Landmark: Ohio TheatreCity: Columbus
Country: USA Ohio
Continent: North America
Ohio Theatre, Columbus, USA Ohio, North America
Overview
In downtown Columbus, the Ohio Theatre stands as a historic gem, celebrated for its dazzling Spanish Baroque detail-gilded ceilings, carved wood-and its long reign as the city’s top stage for the performing arts.Since opening in 1928, the theatre has transformed from a glittering movie palace with velvet seats into a lively cultural hub, welcoming everything from soaring symphonies and graceful ballets to opera, Broadway hits, and nostalgic film nights.The Ohio Theatre, rich in history and architectural charm, was crafted by the renowned architect Thomas W., whose touch can still be seen in its ornate stage arches.Lamb earned fame in the early 20th century for designing some of America’s most extravagant movie palaces, places where velvet curtains brushed the floor and chandeliers blazed overhead.On March 17, 1928, it opened as a movie theater promising the public a taste of luxury, soon earning the nickname “Palace for the Average Man.” Built in the Spanish Baroque style, it dazzled with intricate plaster moldings, carved columns, and ceilings so ornate they seemed to glow under the stage lights.Step inside and you’ll be met by a stunning 21‑foot chandelier, its glass catching the light, and a ceiling painted to mimic a starry night, giving the whole space the feel of an open‑air courtyard.Anne Dornan, among the first women to graduate from Columbia’s School of Architecture, chose the interior furnishings and decorative pieces, down to the smooth oak chairs and hand‑blown glass vases.Her personal safari treasures fill the “Africa Corner,” while she also created refined lounges-complete with women’s smoking rooms that, for their time, boasted impressively advanced ventilation.By the 1960s, the theater was fading fast, its seats gathering dust, until the community rallied for a sweeping restoration that brought it back to life in 1969.Since then, caretakers have kept it in pristine condition, polishing the brass rail until it gleams, and safeguarding it as a historic landmark.Today, the Ohio Theatre buzzes as Columbus’s lively center for the performing arts, hosting everything from symphonies to ballet.It’s the home stage for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, BalletMet Columbus, and Opera Columbus, where the warm glow of the footlights greets each performance.In Columbus, the theater brings in big-name Broadway tours, with hits like Hamilton, The Lion King, and Kimberly Akimbo lighting up the stage.Beyond classical music and ballet, the venue hosts modern dance, lively concerts, and neighborhood gatherings where you might smell fresh popcorn drifting through the crowd.Family Programming offers a lively mix of shows and events that families can enjoy together, from colorful puppet performances to interactive art workshops, sparking a love for the arts in every age group.Film and Special Events - The Ohio Theatre keeps its cinema roots alive with the CAPA Summer Movie Series, an annual tradition where audiences watch classic favorites flicker to life on the massive historic screen, the scent of buttery popcorn drifting through the grand hall.Special Screenings and Festivals: Now and then, the theater brings in film festivals, retrospectives, and unique cultural showings-like a rare black‑and‑white classic flickering on the big screen.At the Ohio Theatre, every seat is designed for comfort and easy access, with room for about 1,700 guests and crisp acoustics that carry even a whisper to the back row.The place is completely accessible, with wheelchair seating right up front.Family Services offers free booster seats for kids and nursing stations stocked with cozy chairs and other comforts to help families feel at ease while visiting the venue.Visitors can grab a snack or sip a cold drink in lounges trimmed with ornate woodwork, each carrying the theater’s historic charm.On certain days, you can join a guided tour that takes you through the theater’s history, its sweeping balconies, and even the dim, echoing corridors backstage.You can find the Ohio Theatre at 39 East State Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215, or call (614) 469-0939; inside, its sweeping marble stairs and rich history create a stunning mix of grand architecture and lively culture.It’s a treasured historic landmark, yet it hums with life as music, drama, and dance fill its stage.The Ohio Theatre, with its ornate Spanish Baroque arches, rich history, and ever-changing lineup, stands as a vibrant heart of Columbus’s arts scene-and a place locals and visitors never want to miss.
