Theatre History
Established 1891
The history of the building, and the former gardens and amusement park, is a story of growth and change. The theatre began as essentially a tent when the Elitch’s Zoological Gardens opened in 1890.
In the late-1800s, and the early-1900s, Mary Elitch made history as the first woman to own a zoo and botanic gardens, while also running a theatre. Still today her legacy lives on at the Historic Elitch Theatre.
Over 100-years of theatre means thousands and thousands of stars crossed the stage at the Historic Elitch Theatre. Read about the many familiar names (and many no-so-familiar names) that fill our programs.
Very few theatres have over a century of history! Three amazing academics — Edwin Levy, Rosemary Lewis, and Theodore Borrillo — have gone through boxes, newspapers, programs, and other archives, to document the full history of 100-years of productions at the Historic Elitch Theatre.
The Elitch Gardens Trocadero Ballroom was a legendary venue! It was part of the larger Elitch Gardens amusement park complex, which originally opened in 1890 as the Elitch’s Zoological Gardens.
More History Stories from the Elitch Theatre and the Gardens.
Some of our favorite photos of the past century.
Check out the major dates in the evolution of the building from open-air tent to the restored theatre you see today.