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Before it was a movie theater, however, it hosted many operas, symphonies, burlesque shows, vaudeville, and minstrel shows. It reopened in 1971, partnering with classical institutions such as the First State Ballet Theatre and the Delaware Symphony Orchestra. The building was acquired by a non-profit arts organization in 1973, which has organized its shows and events ever since. In its first season of operation, the Grand presented more than seventy performances that included everything from serious dramas to minstrel shows to lectures and exhibitions.
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Open Call: The Grand staff is committed to creative problem-solving - The News Journal
Open Call: The Grand staff is committed to creative problem-solving.
Posted: Sun, 18 Apr 2021 07:00:00 GMT [source]
LITTLE WOMEN embodies the complete theatrical experience, leaving audiences filled with a sense of adventure, joy, heartache, and a lifting of the spirit. The powerful score soars with the sounds of personal discovery, heartbreak, hope, and everlasting love – the sounds of a young America finding its voice. The Grand, as the opera house is commonly known, has hosted performers from William “Buffalo Bill” Cody and Ethel Barrymore to John Philip Sousa, the prominent composer. The space was used exclusively as a movie theater between 1930 and 1967, when it was owned by Warner Brothers.
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In January 2015, The Grand Opera House assumed operation of another illustrious historic theater in downtown Wilmington, The Playhouse on Rodney Square. The Playhouse (which was also called The DuPont Theater) was opened in 1913 as one of the select theaters on the Broadway touring circuit. After 100 years, it is the oldest theater continually on that circuit. In addition to a full schedule of Broadway productions, The Playhouse, two blocks north of The Grand on Market Street, is also host to a number of other touring artists each season. Once the location of the historic Aldine Theater, built in 1921, The Grand acquired the lot in 1992 to build the Edith and Alexander F. Giacco Building in 2000. Occupying the first floor is the intimate 305-seat baby grand theater.
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During that fateful week, cultures clashed and nerves ran high—but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships. Celebrate the best of humankind and the best in all of us at COME FROM AWAY. We suggest arriving at 30+ minutes prior to the start of the performance to complete the safety protocol check in and to find your seat. Late seating (when available) will take place at the first appropriate break in the performance. The 109-year old Playhouse on Rodney Square is famously known for having been built by 100 men in 150 working days and at one point held the distinction as having one of the largest singular steel beams ever made to top off the proscenium arch. The Playhouse also holds the distinction of being the country’s longest continuously operating Broadway touring house (pre-COVID).
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Tickets that season cost a dollar for a reserved seat. In 1909, The Grand was briefly converted into a regular stop on the vaudeville circuit and then transitioned into a movie theater, eventually reduced to screening second-run horror films and Westerns. The building fell into decline and sadly closed its doors in 1967.
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The concert hall now hosts over 300 events a year, from ballet to symphony orchestras to stand-up comedy. On December 22, 1971, the hundredth anniversary of its original grand opening, The Grand Opera House was again packed with people and excitement, as plans were unveiled to renovate the theater to its former splendor. Over the next few years, a thoughtful and complete restoration was undertaken. The Grand was rededicated on February 1, 1973 and began again to present the finest performing artists from around the world.

The School of First State Ballet Theatre presents its annual student showcase in the baby grand theater. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love and family. The HAIRSPRAY company is led by Andrew Levitt aka Nina West (from “RuPaul’s Drag Race”) as Edna Turnblad, Niki Metcalf as Tracy Turnblad, and Sandie Lee as Motormouth Maybelle. It features the beloved score of hit songs including “Welcome to the ‘60s,” “Good Morning Baltimore” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat.” HAIRSPRAY is “fresh, winning, and deliriously tuneful! Broadway in Wilmington is presented by Bank of America.
Please refrain from recording or photographing during a performance, and remember to silence all cell phones. For a full listing of area hotels, please see visitwilmingtonde.com. Wilmington has a fantastic culinary scene spanning everything from fine dining to casual brew pubs run by James Beard–nominated chefs. The Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau website (visitwilmingtonde.com) has a great Restaurant Finder tool searchable by cuisine, amenities, and region. For travel by car, Wilmington is located just off I-95, I-495, I-295, and the New Jersey Turnpike/Delaware Memorial Bridge. For travel by train, both Amtrak and SEPTA make frequent daily stops at the Downtown Wilmington train station (WIL).
Seating can vary by performance, so please consult the detailed seating charts on our online Box Office pages. To view, select the date/performance you are interested in to see the full seating map with prices. The Grand and Baby Grand are beehives of artistic activity. The Grand presents more than 80 shows each season, ranging from the latest rock and comedy stars to classical music, dance, traditional American music, jazz, world arts, and family and variety performers as well. All of our performances—even those in English—are accompanied by English subtitles that are projected on large screens above the stage.
Parking is available in the Wilmington Parking Authority garage, just past the Doubletree on the left. The Grand is located at 818 North Market Street, between 8th and 9th Streets. Parking is also available on the surrounding streets and in the Wilmington Parking Authority Open Lot at 8th and Orange Streets.

The Grand Opera House, also known as The Grand or Masonic Hall and Grand Theater, is a 1,208-seat theater for the performing arts in Wilmington, Delaware, United States. The four-story building was built in 1871 by the Delaware Grand Lodge of Masons to serve as a Masonic Temple and auditorium. The construction cost was $100,000.[2] It was designed in Second Empire style by Baltimore architect Thomas Dixon and incorporates symbolism from Freemasonry into the cast-iron facade.
With the help of friends and philanthropists, The Grand acquired the lots next door and opened a companion theater building in 2000. The Baby Grand, a cozy 300-seat proscenium theater, occupies the first floor, with offices, rehearsal rooms and teaching spaces extending several floors above. Your browser is not supported for this experience.We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. Sure, but only before or after a performance or during intermission, please. Don't forget tag us at #operade when posting on social media!
Plan your visit to OperaDelaware and the spring Festival at The Grand! Get information on travel, accommodations, restaurant suggestions, and more. In 1973, management was turned over to a non-profit organization and the building underwent extensive restoration, which was completed in 1976.
For select outdoor performances, live supertitles are also available on any web-enabled mobile device through LiveNote. Each performance is different, but our main-stage operas generally run around 2.5 hours plus intermission, while our concerts and recitals are about 1.5 hours plus intermission. More accurate timings for each show will be posted on individual event pages prior to performances.
The Grand Opera House, located in downtown Wilmington, is celebrating its 150th birthday this season. This historic theater has been a landmark for the residents of Wilmington and the surrounding region since 1871. Originally home to the Grand Lodge of the Masons, the Grand has since played host to thousands of renowned entertainers and performing artists.
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