The Jefferson Theatre is a historic performing arts theatre located on Fannin Street in downtown
Beaumont, Texas
Beaumont is a coastal city in the U.S. state of Texas. It is the county seat, seat of government of Jefferson County, Texas, Jefferson County, within the Beaumont–Port Arthur, Texas, Port Arthur Beaumont–Port Arthur metropolitan area, metropo ...
. Designed by
Emile Weil
Emile Weil (January 20, 1878 – January 19, 1945) was a noted architect of New Orleans, Louisiana.
He studied with New Orleans artist William Woodward.
A number of his works are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Works i ...
and built in 1927, it is an example of Old Spanish architecture and seats over 1400. The theatre was built by Jefferson Amusement Company, which was owned by Saenger Amusements. The theatre is featured on the
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...
and recognized as a
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. The theatre recently underwent a comprehensive multimillion-dollar renovation. It is also one of the few theatres in the country containing its original Morton organ, produced by the
Robert Morton Organ Company
The Robert Morton Organ Company was a producer of theater pipe organs and church organs, located in Van Nuys, California. Robert Morton was the number two volume producer of theatre organs, building approximately half as many organs as the indu ...
.
History
Designed by the renowned architect
Emile Weil
Emile Weil (January 20, 1878 – January 19, 1945) was a noted architect of New Orleans, Louisiana.
He studied with New Orleans artist William Woodward.
A number of his works are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Works i ...
, the Jefferson Theatre opened November 14, 1927 at a cost of nearly $1 million. Originally designed for Jefferson Amusement Company the theatre boasts a 3-manual, 8-rank Robert Morton organ. "It's A Wonderful Life" 1946 premier was held at the Jefferson Theatre, with star
James Stewart
James Maitland Stewart (May 20, 1908 – July 2, 1997) was an American actor and military pilot. Known for his distinctive drawl and everyman screen persona, Stewart's film career spanned 80 films from 1935 to 1991. With the strong morality h ...
and director
Frank Capra
Frank Russell Capra (born Francesco Rosario Capra; May 18, 1897 – September 3, 1991) was an Italian-born American film director, producer and writer who became the creative force behind some of the major award-winning films of the 1930s ...
in attendance.
The theatre closed in 1972 due to a loss of interest in downtown.
By 1997 the theatre was operational again, but was closed in September 2000 for a complete restoration and renovation. The 6.5 million dollar restoration was completed in 2003. , the City of Beaumont operates the theatre while the Jefferson Theatre Preservation Society oversees the preservation, promotion and use of the theatre.
[http://www.beaumont-tx-complex.com/images/Jefferson_Theatre_Restoration.pdf ]
Performances
Since the renovation, a number of high-profile artists have performed at the theatre, including
Joan Rivers
Joan Alexandra Molinsky (June 8, 1933 – September 4, 2014), known professionally as Joan Rivers, was an American comedian, actress, producer, writer and television host. She was noted for her blunt, often controversial comedic persona—heavi ...
,
The Temptations
The Temptations are an American vocal group from Detroit, Michigan, who released a series of successful singles and albums with Motown Records during the 1960s and 1970s. The group's work with producer Norman Whitfield, beginning with the Top ...
,
Lou Rawls
Louis Allen Rawls (December 1, 1933 – January 6, 2006) was an American record producer, singer, composer and actor. Rawls released more than 60 albums, sold more than 40 million records, and had numerous charting singles, most notably his s ...
,
George Carlin
George Denis Patrick Carlin (May 12, 1937 – June 22, 2008) was an American comedian, actor, author, and social critic. Regarded as one of the most important and influential stand-up comedians of all time, he was dubbed "the dean of countercul ...
,
Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band formed in 1970 in San Jose, California, known for their flexibility in performing across numerous genres and their vocal harmonies. Active for five decades, with their greatest success in the 1970s, ...
, and
Lyle Lovett
Lyle Pearce Lovett (born November 1, 1957) Lyle Lovett Pageat Allmusic – Lovett's Genre and Styles. Retrieved February 2, 2007 is an American singer, songwriter, actor and record producer. Active since 1980, he has recorded 13 albums and relea ...
. The theatre also hosts various local acts and events and is home to an annual film festival.
Hurricane Rita
In September 2005, the
Vince Vaughn
Vincent Anthony Vaughn (born March 28, 1970) is an American actor.
Vaughn began acting in the late 1980s, appearing in minor television roles before attaining wider recognition with the 1996 comedy-drama film '' Swingers''. He has appeared in ...
Wild West Comedy Show performance was canceled due to
Hurricane Rita
Hurricane Rita was the most intense tropical cyclone on record in the Gulf of Mexico and the fourth-most intense Atlantic hurricane ever recorded. Part of the record-breaking 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, which included three of the top ten L ...
(which damaged the theatre and prompted a temporary closure for maintenance and repairs). The theatre reopened for business in December 2005.
Photo gallery
Image:Jefferson Theatre Auditorium Beaumont, from Balcony.jpg, The auditorium.
Image:Jefferson Theatre Beaumont, Panorama.jpg, Seating
Image:Jeffarch2.jpg, Proscenium arch.
Image:Jeffwallshot_2.jpg, The detail from the stage.
Image:Jeffersontheaterinteriorangle.jpg, Looking up.
Image:Jefftheatreupperwall.jpg, Mezzanine decoration detail.
Image:chandalierjefferson.JPG, The Grand Chandelier
Image:Jeffaudstat.jpg, Auditorium Statuary
Image:Jefflobbyceiling.jpg, The lobby ceiling.
Image:Jefflobstairs.jpg, Grand Staircase
Image:Jefflobbystat.jpg, Lobby Statuary
Image:Morton Organ, Jefferson Theatre, Beaumont, Texas.jpg, Robert Morton Organ
Image:Jeffthtrmarquee.jpg, Jefferson
See also
*
*
Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks in Jefferson County
*
Julie Rogers Theater
The Julie Rogers Theater is a historic performing arts theater located on Pearl Street in downtown Beaumont, Texas. Built in 1928, the theater was once Beaumont's City Hall and Auditorium. The capacity is approximately 1,663 seats.
Renovations
...
, Beaumont, Texas
References
External links
{{Authority control
Theatres in Texas
Theatres on the National Register of Historic Places in Texas
Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks
Buildings and structures in Beaumont, Texas
Emile Weil buildings
Theatres completed in 1927
Tourist attractions in Beaumont, Texas
National Register of Historic Places in Jefferson County, Texas
Public venues with a theatre organ
Music venues in Beaumont, Texas