Information
Landmark: Savannah TheatreCity: Savannah
Country: USA Georgia
Continent: North America
Savannah Theatre, Savannah, USA Georgia, North America
Overview
The Savannah Theatre sits proudly on Chippewa Square, right in the heart of the city’s historic district, offering top-notch performances while standing as a striking piece of Savannah’s cultural and architectural heritage.It first opened its doors in 1818, and since then, audiences have been filling its worn red velvet seats, making it one of the oldest theaters still running in the country.For over two hundred years, the Savannah Theatre has welcomed a remarkable mix of shows, shifting with audience tastes, weathering fires and makeovers, and standing firm through the changing currents of American history-its walls still carry the faint scent of old stage curtains.The building’s roots trace back to William Jay, a young English architect who left his mark on Savannah with neoclassical gems like the Owens–Thomas House, its graceful columns catching the light at noon.He designed the Savannah Theatre in the Federal style, with perfect symmetry, a warm brick façade, graceful arched windows, and delicate ironwork that caught the afternoon light.In its early days, the theatre buzzed with voices and laughter, serving as the heart of Savannah’s cultural life.The show offered a lively mix of entertainment-vaudeville skits, sweeping operas, gripping dramas, and bright, foot-tapping musicals.The theater stood as a key stop on the national performing circuit, where in the 19th century, famous actors and musicians filled its stage with candlelit performances.Sarah Bernhardt, Oscar Wilde, and W. C. Fields were there, their names shining like ink on a fresh playbill.Over the years, the Savannah Theatre has burned down and been rebuilt more than once, each time opening its doors again like the scent of fresh paint after a storm.In 1948, a fire tore through the place, leaving most of the original building charred and hollow.Instead of bringing it back to its old classical look, the owners decided to give the building a sleek, modern touch-glass panels catching the afternoon sun.The theater was remodeled in a bold Art Deco style, with gleaming brass fixtures, and it’s kept that distinctive look ever since.The theater’s mid-century design flashes its neon signs against a clean, streamlined facade, a vivid contrast to the weathered brick and columns of the antebellum buildings around it.Though it’s evolved over the years, the theatre still holds onto its historic charm-balcony seats worn smooth by decades of use and the original stage layout-keeping it alive as a place for live performances.These days, the Savannah Theatre buzzes with energy, hosting live musical revues, Broadway-style performances, tribute shows, and festive seasonal specials that spill bright light onto the sidewalk at night.The company puts on a changing lineup of shows, from Motown grooves and classic rock riffs to modern chart-toppers and glittering holiday productions.One crowd favorite is *Savannah Live*, a lively two-hour variety show packed with pop, rock, and Broadway hits, all brought to life by a sharp cast of singers and musicians who know how to keep the stage buzzing."Jukebox Journey" – A nostalgic musical revue that takes audiences through several decades of American music."Jukebox Journey" is a lively, nostalgic revue that sweeps the crowd through decades of American music, from the crackle of a ’50s jukebox to the bright synths of the ’80s.Holiday specials like “A Christmas Tradition” draw in locals and visitors alike, blending lively music, colorful costumes, and warm storytelling that feels like sitting by a crackling fire.Families feel welcome at the theater, and the performers bring a burst of energy and polished skill to every scene.Crowds are often invited to join in, turning the event into a lively exchange where voices mingle and energy fills the room.The Savannah Theatre seats about 525 people, arranged close enough that you can catch every expression on stage from almost anywhere in the room.In the lobby, black-and-white photos of past performers line the walls, and a concession stand waits nearby with popcorn and cold drinks.Inside, it feels warm and inviting, with plush seats, gentle pools of light, and acoustics so clear you catch every note.The theatre offers full wheelchair access and provides thoughtful accommodations for people with mobility challenges, from wide aisles to smooth, ramped entrances.You’ll find restrooms inside, and you can park in nearby garages or along the tree-lined streets around the venue.The Savannah Theatre has a paranormal reputation-it’s often called one of the most haunted spots in town, right in a city where ghost stories drift through the streets like fog.Over the years, staff and visitors have sworn they’ve heard phantom footsteps, caught whispers in empty halls, seen lights flicker for no reason, and even spotted pale figures lingering in the audience or slipping behind the curtain.The stories turned it into a must-see on Savannah’s ghost tours, where guides often pause outside its weathered brick walls.People often talk about two spirits-a Confederate soldier and a woman in a flowing period dress-sometimes spotted in the balcony or slipping quietly through the backstage shadows.The theatre never advertises itself as haunted, yet locals whisper stories that give its history an extra shimmer of mystery.The Savannah Theatre sits on Chippewa Square, one of Savannah’s most charming and storied spots, and stands as a key stop for visitors drawn to the city’s ornate buildings and rich cultural scene.The square’s well known as the spot where Forrest Gump sat on a bench, telling his story as buses rumbled past.The Savannah Theatre works as both a bustling stage and a living monument, tying today’s performances to echoes from centuries past.For more than two centuries, it’s brought audiences top-notch live shows, all while keeping the same vibrant artistic spirit that first filled its stage.The Savannah Theatre isn’t just a stage for shows-it’s a living slice of American theatrical history, where the worn velvet seats seem to whisper stories from centuries past.Born from early 19th‑century neoclassicism, reshaped by the bold lines of Art Deco, and alive with nightly shows and neighborhood gatherings, the theatre remains a cherished symbol of Savannah’s lasting elegance and warm, spirited charm.
