Hilbert Circle Theatre
Entry façade as it appeared in 2016
Former namesCircle Theatre
Address45 Monument Circle
LocationIndianapolis, Indiana
OwnerIndianapolis Symphony Orchestra
Typetheatre
Capacity1,660
Construction
OpenedAugust 30, 1916 (1916-08-30)
Renovated1984, 2013
Tenants
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
Website
www.indianapolissymphony.org
Circle Theater
Hilbert Circle Theatre is located in Indianapolis
Hilbert Circle Theatre
Hilbert Circle Theatre is located in Indianapolis
Hilbert Circle Theatre
Hilbert Circle Theatre is located in Indiana
Hilbert Circle Theatre
Hilbert Circle Theatre is located in the United States
Hilbert Circle Theatre
Coordinates39°46′5″N 86°9′26″W / 39.76806°N 86.15722°W / 39.76806; -86.15722
Arealess than one acre
ArchitectRubush and Hunter; Bedford Stone Construction Co.
Architectural styleClassical Revival
Part ofWashington Street-Monument Circle Historic District (ID97001179)
NRHP reference No.80000058[1]
Added to NRHPJune 16, 1980

The Hilbert Circle Theatre, originally called the Circle Theatre, is in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Monument Circle in the Washington Street-Monument Circle Historic District. It was originally built in 1916 as a "deluxe movie palace" and now is the home of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.[2]: 2–3 

The theatre was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.[1]

History

The Circle Theatre was one of the first "motion picture palaces" in the Midwest and one of the first movie theaters west of New York.[3] The theatre also offered locally produced stage shows, such as the 1921 The Landing of the Pilgrims for Thanksgiving week.[4] In 1922, a $50,000 Wurlitzer organ was installed for use during silent films and solo performances.[4] In the summer of 1924, visiting musicians offered Circle patrons "syncopation seasons" with various jazz and popular music performances while the house concert orchestra was off.[4] Frank Sinatra and Dizzy Gillespie were two such visitors who held concerts in the theatre.[3]

On March 6, 1927, the Circle brought sound movies to the Indianapolis approximately fourteen months before other venues. Three musical film segments were shown: Roy Smeck playing the guitar, ukulele, and banjo; Giovanni Martinelli, a Metropolitan Opera tenor, singing I Pagliacci, and finally, Al Johnson, the blackface singing comedian. The Circle brought another first to the city in February 1928 by offering The Jazz Singer, a film with four talking and singing scenes starring Al Jolson.[4]

As multiscreen cinemas emerged in suburban malls throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the Circle Theatre fell into disrepair.[3][5]

Reopening on October 12, 1984 after a $6.8 million renovation, the Circle Theatre is home to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.[3] In December 1996, it was renamed the Hilbert Circle Theatre after being endowed by Stephen Hilbert, founder of CNO Financial Group, and his wife Tomisue. The theatre holds 1,660 seats and has space for an 87-member ensemble. It is now home to a 3-manual 24-rank Wurlitzer theatre organ.[6]

Architecture

The theatre was designed by Indianapolis architects Rubus & Hunter.[5] Built in 1916, the building is a Neoclassical-revival with white glazed terra cotta entrance section with a brick auditorium section behind. The front façade is slightly curved. The theatre's interior was designed by architect Robert Adam and uses motifs from Greek, Etruscan and Pompeian artists.[5]

Notable events

In 1986, the theatre reverted to being a movie palace for the world premier of Hoosiers.[3] The theatre hosted the Weightlifting Competition during the 1987 Pan American Games.[7] Actress Kitty Carlisle hosted a centennial celebration for the Indiana native composer Cole Porter in 1991.[3] The venue later hosted NBC's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon for a week of episodes during Super Bowl XLVI in 2012.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ↑ "Indiana State Historic Architectural and Archaeological Research Database (SHAARD)" (Searchable database). Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology. Retrieved 2016-08-01. Note: This includes Larry B. Justice (December 1979). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Circle Theater" (PDF). Retrieved 2016-08-01. and Accompanying photographs
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Price, Nelson (2004). Indianapolis then & now (1st ed.). San Diego, Calif.: Thunder Bay Press. pp. 10–11. ISBN 1-59223-208-6. OCLC 54066651.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Caldwell, Howard (2010). The golden age of Indianapolis theaters. Bloomington: Quarry Books/Indiana University Press. pp. 119–121, 126–127. ISBN 978-0-253-00143-6. OCLC 747432334.
  5. 1 2 3 "History". Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Retrieved 2023-04-23.
  6. ↑ "American Theatre Organ Society" (PDF).
  7. ↑ The Games of August: Official Commemorative Book. Indianapolis: Showmasters. 1987. ISBN 978-0-9619676-0-4.
  8. ↑ On the set with Jimmy Fallon. WTHR.com. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
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