The historic Orpheum Theatre in Wichita will officially reopen Aug. 30 with a headlining concert by singer and EGOT winner John Legend, theater officials announced Friday.
The announcement follows more than a year of restoration work on the downtown landmark, a project that cost about $13 million and included new seating, floors and carpet as well as repaired and repainted plasterwork, according to the theater's executive director, Stacee Olden.
What residents need to know
- The reopening concert is scheduled for Aug. 30.
- Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. July 24 at www.wichitaorpheum.com, www.selectaseat.com, by phone at 316-755-7328, or in person at the Select-a-Seat box office inside Intrust Bank Arena.
- Ticket prices will be announced when sales begin, Olden said.
The Orpheum first opened Sept. 4, 1922, and has hosted a long list of notable performers over its more than a century of operation. Olden framed the choice of a headliner as a decision tied to the scale of the restoration and the theater’s place in Wichita cultural history.
“This artist needed to be one who could match the glorious moment of the multimillion dollar restoration; one who would be part of the legends who stepped foot on our historic stage over the past 103 years like Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Houdini and many more; one who would be cemented in this historic moment that if you aren’t in attendance on this special night, you will surely pass the memory to future generations.”
Legend, 47, is known for songs such as "All of Me" and "Ordinary People." His awards include 13 Grammys, an Emmy for producing NBC’s "Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert," an Oscar for Best Original Song for the film "Selma," and a Tony as a co-producer of the Broadway revival "Jitney."
Context and local impact
The reopening is expected to bring increased foot traffic to downtown Wichita and renewed programming opportunities for the Orpheum and neighboring venues. The restoration work, completed over more than a year, was aimed at preserving historic features while updating audience amenities.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Restoration cost | $13 million |
| Theatre original opening | Sept. 4, 1922 |
| Reopening concert | Aug. 30 |
| Ticket sale start | 10 a.m., July 24 |
Officials did not release ticket prices Friday. Residents planning to attend should watch the Orpheum and Select-a-Seat websites for sale details and seating maps once tickets become available.
The announcement was made in the theater lobby, where restoration work was completed but the full public reveal of the renovated interior will be part of the reopening events. Theater leadership said the program is intended to reconnect Wichita audiences with a centerpiece of the city's cultural life.
