Orpheum – The Siouxland Blog

Of all the wedding venues on my list, this has to be the one I was most anxious to see! I have been inside the Orpheum for several concerts and shows, and each time I

Of all the wedding venues on my list, this has to be the one I was most anxious to see! I have been inside the Orpheum for several concerts and shows, and each time I was awestruck by its opulence and historical value.

History lesson

Built in 1927 by local Sioux City businessman Arthur Sanford, it was ultimately one of the largest theaters in Iowa at the time. Costing $1.75 million dollars, construction of the Orpheum today would fetch a budget of over $26 million dollars! Capable of seating 2,650, the Orpheum was designed by nationally recognized Chicago firm Rapp &Rapp, who also designed over 400 theaters across the United States.

Historic photographs of the Orpheum in the Downtown Skywalks

Installed with a Wurlitzer pipe organ, the Orpheum once showcased vaudeville and moving pictures. In fact, famous acts throughout the first half of the century made sure to stop here in Sioux City. Entertainers such as Fred Astaire and Katherine Hepburn have shown their support for this local treasure.

Reclaiming a nearly lost treasure

Unbelievably, in 1982, a massive wall of sheet rock was built right down the center of the Orpheum, morphing it into two movie theaters. This devastating choice would inevitably lead to the theater’s closure only ten years later. And the Orpheum would remain vacant for seven more years.

Not wanting to allow the Orpheum to lose its splendor, local filmmaker, George Lindblade launched the project to perform an intensive repair on our almost lost Orpheum. Summoning nationally known theater restoration specialist, Ray Shepardson, reconstruction began in 1999, at the cost of $12 million dollars.

Reconstruction of the three-story auditorium proved to be one of the most extensively documented major theater restorations in the United States. With hand-painted ceilings, crystal chandeliers, half circle boxes and hand carved wood, Sioux City’s Orpheum Theater is by far one of the most iconic places to visit in all of Iowa.

Surprises uncovered

Miraculously, all three chandeliers original to the Orpheum’s lobby were found enclosed within a drop ceiling! Also found during the reconstruction were stenciling on the original grand lobby ceiling, as were decorative drapes surrounding the entrance to the auditorium.

In addition, artists and professional historians fully replicated the terra cotta drinking fountains and balcony side boxes from existing photographs preserved over the years.

My tour

Now that we’ve gone over the history of the Orpheum and its reconstruction, let me guide you through my personal tour earlier this month.

To start, I contacted the Orpheum via email, and received a reply the next day. Tim, the General Manager, and I scheduled my visit, and thus the excitement began. I was going to have the Orpheum to myself for an hour!

The lobby

So, Friday morning arrived, I met with Tim outside the Orpheum on Pierce Street. As we walked in and into the lobby, I couldn’t help but feel like Rose looking up the Grand Staircase on the Titanic. Seeing up close all the hand-carved and hand-painted details, I was able to take in all the minute features, with no one around.

I’ve been to multiple shows here, including Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Jewel, Joe Bonamassa, and a handful of Sioux City Symphony concerts. And each time, the lobby was packed and loud, but today it was quiet and peaceful, you could almost say sacred.

Momo’s

Off to the right of the lobby is the restaurant Momo’s. Open a few hours before scheduled events, this is the perfect spot to grab a refreshing margarita and an appetizer before the show. You can also sip on some wine during the intermission, but it will be much less crowded if you come a little earlier to chat with locals, and even read through the program material.

The auditorium

Next, moving into the auditorium, the shock and awe of this massive space humbled my heart and soul. Astonished by the craftmanship, I only wanted to stand in the middle of the aisle and take in the brilliant and grandeur colors.

Original Orpheum seats in the Plymouth County Historical Museum, Le Mars, Iowa

The seats you see here are new from the remodel in 2001, however, the original seats are in the Plymouth County Museum in Le Mars. In fact, this museum was my very first blog post I wrote in regards to visiting and traveling around Siouxland over a year ago.

The stage

Strolling past all the seats, we got to the front of the Orpheum, and standing up on the stage directly in the middle with all 2,650 seats looking back at you, it’s truly amazing being surrounded by this historic Sioux City masterpiece.

Hallway of the rich and famous

Behind the stage is the ultimate hidden treasure I’ve ever come across in all of Siouxland. The original brick wall of the Orpheum, COVERED in autographs! Celebrities from Willie Nelson, Little Big Town, to B.B. King have signed this wall. Former President Barak Obama and current President Donald Trump both stopped here on their campaign trails. And, finally, cast members’ names in plays such as Les Misérables to Mamma Mia can also be found in their prospective spots.

You can actually touch the same brick hundreds of Hollywood elites have touched. Separated only through time, you are standing in the very same spot they stood years ago. Looking up the wall, and down the hallway, you gain perspective of how important our Orpheum is to the Midwest.

Rental fees

Now let’s talk about how much it costs to rent the Orpheum, and what comes with your rental! I know you’ve all been waiting for this!

So, you have four options, and they all depend on if you want your entire wedding to be here, or just the reception. Are you expecting a lot of guests, or will this be a smaller wedding? Or maybe you want to rent out Momo’s as a bachelor party location. You have several price points.

Entire Orpheum Venue Rental: $2,500.00
Lobby Rental: $1,000.00
Momo’s Rental: $400.00
Rehearsal Dinner: $200.00

Even though the auditorium can seat 2,650 I wouldn’t recommend inviting every person you’ve ever met since middle school. For weddings and other events, the Orpheum limits guest attendance to two hundred and fifty. If you’re expecting the full 250, you’ll need a stage extension, which is an additional $750 dollars.

What to expect with your rental agreement

Impressively, your rental agreement includes tables, chairs, linens, china, utensils, napkins, and glassware. In addition, serving staff and bartenders will be available for your event at no extra charge, and even setup and take down of your event are included.

You’ll have access to dressing rooms, a dance floor, and a microphone and sound system setup for your Best Man and Maid of Honor to give their speeches.

But the best part! Your names will be lit up on the marquee sign for all of Sioux City to see! How exciting! What better place to get the best photos than under the Orpheum signage with your names printed in bold vintage letters. Your wedding, and all of your pictures, will be unforgettable.

Food!

However, keep in mind, you’ll need to budget for what you’ll include in your menu for your event. The Orpheum carries a contract with Momo’s which caters all their events, including yours. The cost of rental fees does not contain Momo’s pricing to cater your preferred entrées, so look over their menu and order accordingly.

Making memories

Overall, your wedding will be the most memorable anyone on your guest list has ever attended. From the historical value of the Orpheum to its bold yet elegant colors and ambiance, your friends and family members will spend their evening immersed in splendor and luxury.

Peavey grand opera house

Before we conclude our visit to the Orpheum, let’s look back at Sioux City’s first theater, the Peavey Grand Opera House. Located on the corner of 4^th and Jones, and built in 1888, seating for seventeen hundred was built into this lavish five-story building.

With a cost of $30,000 in 1888, builders and contractors would need almost $900,000 dollars to complete the project today. Stained glass doors and silk and lace curtains helped make this iconic theater one of the most famous in the country.

This illustration can be found at the Downtown Sioux City Museum

Retaining its illustrious value for nearly twenty years, the Peavey Grand Opera House would close in 1919, and, both unfortunately and unbelievably, became an auto repair shop. Tragically, a fire erupted in 1931, causing unrepairable structural damage, leading to this landmark being torn down shortly after.

Oh, how this would draw the crowds today! Imagine if Sioux City retained one of the last great Opera Houses in America? Cementing our reputation as one the foremost experts in theatrical history in the nation.

Read more about this infamous Opera House by visiting Sioux City’s History website: http://www.siouxcityhistory.org/arts-a-leisure/81-theatre

Final thoughts

Today, Sioux City’s Orpheum attracts Vegas shows such as the Blue Man Group and television’s favorite dance show, Dancing with The Stars. With events occurring year-round, I’m still surprised they are able to host weddings and other private events. if you’d like to have your wedding here please contact the Orpheum with your questions. Tim, the General Manager, who also gave me a personal tour, was very approachable, and said he is constantly booking weddings. He also mentioned that he wants more couples to consider the Orpheum for their event, adding that this piece of Sioux City history will forever be preserved in timeless photographs and memories.

Surprisingly, the Orpheum is considerably reasonable, more so than I would have imagined. Leading me to invite you to consider this classy setting for maybe a Phantom of the Opera themed wedding.

I hope I have motivated you to get and explore Sioux City. We still have four more venues to look at, so enjoy this history lesson, and we’ll see you in the next post.

Happy Planning!

712-258-9164
528 Pierce St
Sioux City, Iowa 51101
info@orpheumlive.com