Auditorium Theatre

E. 9th Street and Holmes Street,
Kansas City, MO 64106

Unfavorite No one has favorited this theater yet

Map

View address on Google Maps

Additional Info

Previous Names: Warder Grand Opera House, New Auditorium Theatre

Nearby Theaters

No theaters found within 30 miles

Auditorium Theatre

The Warder Grand Opera House was opened on October 26, 1887 with 1,800-seats. The opening production was “Othello” starring Edwin Booth & Lawrence Barrett. By 1895 it had been renamed Auditorium Theatre. In December 1897 it was destroyed by fire.

It was rebuilt and reopened in 1899. It was listed in the 1914-1915 edition of American Motion Picture Directory. It had closed by 1926. It was reopened as a movie theatre on May 21, 1927 with Rin Tin Tin in “Clash of the Wolves”. It was operated by Samuel Harding, manager of the Liberty Theatre. It seems that it was not a great success as it was still open in 1929, but had closed by 1930 as a silent movie theatre.

In 1960 while under demolition, the building caught fire.

Contributed by Ken Roe

Recent comments (view all 2 comments)

rsalters (Ron Salters)
rsalters (Ron Salters) on December 27, 2019 at 12:45 pm

The Auditorium in Kansas City is listed in the 1897-98 edition of the Julius Cahn Official Theatrical Guide. Managed by Paxton & Burgess. The theatre was on the ground floor, and had both gas and electric illumination. Seats: Orchestra 300, Loges 64, Dress Circle 314, 1st Balcony 495, 2nd Balcony 458, Gallery 500. The proscenium opening was 47.5 feet square, and the stage was 40 feet deep. Other theatres in Kansas City at the time were the Coates Opera House, Grand Opera House, New Gillis Theatre and Ninth Street Opera House. The 1897 population was 200,000.

rivest266
rivest266 on July 22, 2022 at 12:49 pm

1927 grand opening ad posted.

You must login before making a comment.

New Comment

Subscribe Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.