Tupelo Community Theatre
200 N. Broadway,
Tupelo,
MS
38802
200 N. Broadway,
Tupelo,
MS
38802
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Malco Theatres Inc., Saenger Amusement Company
Functions: Live Theater
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Comus Theatre, Strand Theatre, Lyric Theatre
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
662.844.1935
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Built in 1912 as the Comus Theatre, it was exclusively the home of vaudeville. By 1914 it was screening movies. Later, as part of the Saenger circuit, it was a movie and vaudeville house by 1924 renamed Strand Theatre. It was renamed the Lyric Theatre when it became part of the Malco chain of movie houses in the 1930’s.
Renovations to the theatre at that time included a new marquee and an Art Deco style redesign for the interior. The Lyric Theatre continued on with stage shows in addition to its film screenings.
The Lyric Theatre remained a popular movie house until 1984 when it was abandoned and nearly demolished. The Tupelo Community Theatre came along, purchased the old Lyric Theatre, and it has remained open ever since. Live stage productions are now the focal point of the theatre.
Contributed by
Ross Melnick
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
The community playhouse formerly known as the Lyric – a rainy day in Tupelo, summer 1996:
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On this 75th Anniversary of Elvis’s birth I wonder if he actually ever attended this theatre as a boy or performed on its stage. Anyone know?
There’s an old Tupelo legend that Elvis had his first kiss in the Lyric Theater’s balcony. Can’t vouch for this, for obvious reasons, but there you go.
1919 map calls it the Comus, 1924 map calls it the Strand.