The Orpheum Theater opened its doors in 1927 and has been a notable landmark in downtown Madison since with its iconic sign towering over State Street. The building’s limestone Art Deco exterior and French Renaissance interior were designed by the architecture firm Rapp and Rapp who also designed other notable theaters such as Radio City Music Hall and the Chicago Theatre.
The Orpheum was declared a city landmark in 1998 and in 2008, the theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Many renovations have occurred throughout the years. The most recent update being in 2022 when all 1,727 seats were replaced and new flooring, tiling, and a granite countertop were added to the Grand Lobby Bar. The iconic red sign was also updated in 2022.
Throughout the years, The Orpheum in Madison has hosted vaudeville shows, movies, weddings, corporate events, musicians such as Bob Dylan, The Roots, David Byrne, The Strokes, Lil Wayne, Neutral Milk Hotel, Tori Amos, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Snoop Dogg, Chuck Berry, Mac Miller, and Bob Marley and comedians including Chelsea Handler, Nick Offerman, Lewis Black, and many more.
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