The Orpheum Theatre first opened on Sept. 4, 1922, and during its early decades served as a vaudeville house then a movie theater. The theater closed in 1976, and the original seats were stripped out.

The 103-year-old theater is about to undergo a yearlong restoration, and though people have complained relentlessly about its seats over the years, many have been asking to take them home.

In December 1985, the theater was donated to the Orpheum Theatre Performing Arts Centre Ltd., a nonprofit group whose leaders were the first to get serious about plans for a total restoration.

The Orpheum’s new owners filed a lawsuit, saying Umbreit had agreed not to operate another theater in Marion for at least five years. The Davises asked for a restraining order and $5,000 in damages.

On Wednesday morning, a crowd of Orpheum supporters, staff, volunteers and Wichita dignitaries gathered in the theater at 200 N. Broadway for an announcement about the restoration plans that was ...

WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) -- A fire started by building materials outside a historic Wichita theater gave residents a scare on Thursday night. Crews with the Wichita Fire Department arrived outside the ...

Wichita's Orpheum Theatre will close for a year-long, $10M restoration to double events and preserve its legacy for future generations.

As part of the historic Orpheum’s Second Century Campaign and fundraiser, the theater is hosting what they call Seat Week before renovations officially begin on June 2.