Cactus Theater
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| Cactus Theater | |
|---|---|
| U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
| Location: | 1812 Buddy Holly Avenue Lubbock, Texas |
| Architect: | Robert Maxey |
| Architectural style(s): | Art Deco |
| Added to NRHP: | May 8. 1998 |
| NRHP Reference#: | 98000447 |
The Cactus Theater is a theater located in Lubbock, Texas, US. It hostes live music productions, musicals, and theatrical plays.
Contents |
[edit] History
In 1938, Lubbock businessmen Joe H. Bryant, M. A. Sanders, and Glenn Woody, built Lubbock’s first suburban neighborhood movie theater. The theater was built as a "second-run" movie theater and boasted a seating capacity of 720. It also had "washed air" cooling and a marquee with over 750 feet of neon lighting.[1]
The Cactus remained opened for twenty years. However, by 1957, there were seventeen movie theaters in the city. The competition from the other traditional theaters and the popularity of six new drive-in theaters forced the older Cactus out of business. The Cactus closed on May 6, 1958.[1]
As part of the development of Lubbock's Depot District, in 1993 Cactus Theater, Inc., along with a group of investors, bought the Cactus Theater and refurbished it into a live performance/movie theater. The refurbished theater retains its original balcony, slope, and stage. The seating was replaced with four hundred modern seats. The old projection booth was redesigned with spotlights and a state of the art sound and light package. The theater's West Texas heritage was recognized with murals on both walls, painted by artist John Russell Thomasson, depicting Caprock Canyon.[1]
[edit] The theater today
The theater now features such as Nostalgia Nights, The Cactus Family Christmas Celebration, Gospel night, local artist showcase, new artist showcase, and the JD’s. Artists like Joe Ely, B. J. Thomas, Gary Morris, Jerry Jeff Walker, and The Maines Brothers Band have played at the venue.[1]
The theater features live theatrical plays and music including Fiddler on the Roof, The Odd Couple, Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story, The Rainmaker, Hello Dolly!, Oklahoma!, and more. The Cactus Theater has also played host to several debut musical plays from local writers, such as Heavenly Country and Holy Rock ‘n Rollers.[1]
The Cactus Theater has programs such as the Cactus Cuties and the Cactus kids aimed towards developing young talent and upcoming artists.[1]
