The Alabama Theatre

Theatre is a very large passion of mine. And the theatres the plays are shown in are just as magnificent as the plays themselves. One the most magnificent theatres I have seen is The Alabama Theatre located on Third Avenue North in Birmingham, Alabama.

Both in beauty and history.

Construction for The Alabama Theatre began in early 1927 and was opened on December 26, 1927. At the time of its opening, the theatre could seat about 2,500 people making it the largest theatre in the Birmingham Theatre District. It was the first building in Alabama to have air conditioning. It cost $1.5 million to build the theatre.

The Alabama Theatre is now the only operating theatre in the district today and is one of the best theatres of the period in the southeast.

The theatre has been used for shows of all kinds since its beginning.

In 1933, the theatre formed a Mikey Mouse Club. It became the largest Club in the world having about 7,000 children in the Club. The children would perform for each other, watch Mickey Mouse and other activities. By the time it ended, there were around 18,000 children in the Club.

The theatre also hosted the Miss Alabama Pageant. The theatre held the pageant from 1938 to 1966.

The theatre has a stand-out design. The outside is a mix of Spanish Renaissance and Baroque detailing. Giving the theatre a Spanish villa feel. The inside takes on the “movie palace” design that was popular during the time the theatre was built. Giving the theatre a whimsical sort of feel.

When the theatre first opened, it played silent films. And with silent films, musical accompaniment. To accomplish this, the theatre installed a Crawford Special-Publix One Mighty Wurlitzer organ. There were only 17 of this kind made and The Alabama Theatre was given one of them. The Alabama Theatre’s organ is one of three that are still in its original spot. The organ is nicknamed Big Bertha. It is considered the most valuable item in the whole building.

Throughout the years, the theatre has been closed, resold to new owners, restored, and renamed the Alabama Theatre for the Performing Arts.

In 1998, The Alabama Theatre underwent interior restoration. Fixing the paint, seats, carpet and drapes.

Each year the theatre hosts 250 events and around 400,000 people a year come to enjoy these shows. In 1993, the theatre was named the official state historic theatre of Alabama.

The theatre’s exterior and history make it a truly beautiful place to see. I have not been inside the theatre nor have I seen any shows in the theatre. But seeing The Alabama Theatre in person makes it a bucket list place to see a show. It is truly beautiful.

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