Historic Savannah Theatre Musical Productions

The Savannah Theatre opened its doors in 1818 with music show performances of 'The Soldier's Daughter' and 'Raising the Wind' and hosts a wide array of musical productions. This is one of the country's oldest operating theatres and is located in the Chippewa Square area.

About the Theatre

The theatre was designed by William Jay, who also designed the Telfair Mansion, which belonged to Alexander Telfair. William Jay is also known for having designed and built the Owens-Thomas House which, along with the Telfair Mansion, are both now National Historic Landmarks. Both of these wonderfully preserved locations also currently house museums that focus on the era in which they were built.

The theatre has undergone a few different renovations, including a conversion to its present-day Art Deco style which was as a result of the 1948 fire. It is versatile and has served as both a movie theatre and a live performance venue over the years. The first renovation this theatre underwent was due to a hurricane on August 31, 1898. The hurricane tore sections of the roof off and left severe damage to the structure of the building and flooded the auditorium.

This historic and beautiful theatre resides in the heart of the Historic District and is located just a short distance from other notable historic sites in the city. Being in the center of the downtown area, guests can find so many different attractions and tourist locations within walking distance to the theatre, providing a wonderful experience when visiting this beautiful city.

Notable Performers

Just a few of the stars that have performed at the Savannah Theatre include  Otis Skinner, Oscar Wilde, Sarah Bernhardt, Lillian Russell, and W.C. Fields. Edwin Booth, who was the brother of the infamous assassin of President Abraham Lincoln, John Wilkes Booth, was also a performer that worked this wonderful theatre. Booth performed a range of Shakespearean roles such as 'Hamlet,' 'Iago,' and 'King Lear.' One of the most notable performances to have taken place in the Historic Savannah Theatre was baseball star Ty Cobb in his role of 'The College Widow' in 1911. Located in the theatre lobby are several newspaper articles, artifacts, and photographs on display to detail the illustrious history of the theatre and how it came to be the beautiful building we see today! Enjoy many other great attractions during your amazing vacation to Savannah.