Omaha Performing Arts
News

Venue spotlight: The Orpheum Theater

September 18, 2026 | Orpheum | Sarah Kosch
pt-2.5 pb-8 w-full

What downtown would be complete without a beautiful, historic theater? The Orpheum Theater has been a cornerstone of Omaha entertainment since 1927. Evolving from a vaudeville theater to a movie house and back to a performing arts space, the nearly 100-year-old building is now Omaha’s home for touring Broadway, concerts, comedy, community events, and more.

pt-8 pb-0 w-full

What happens inside? 

  • Music, dancing, laughter, fun, connection, and a whole lot of wonder. There is nothing like the experience of a live performance. Patrons can escape the everyday to immerse themselves in art and culture, applaud their favorite artists, and discover new ones alongside friends, family, and other fans.
  • The Orpheum stage has hosted legends in Broadway, music, and comedy—as well as legends in the making. O-pa’s education program, the Nebraska Theater Academy, hosts its capstone showcase for students from across Nebraska, and many local organizations use the venue for recitals and civic events.
  • Its lush architecture and many gathering spaces have also served as the backdrop for major life events in our community — like graduations, anniversaries, and weddings.
pt-8 pb-8

Fun fact: 85% of all fixtures in the building — including furniture, metal grill work, draperies, marble, and plaster sculpture — are original and date back to 1927! 

pt-8 pb-8 w-full

Notable performances

  • Broadway blockbusters like Wicked, Disney’s The Lion King, Phantom of the Opera, and Hamilton
  • Acclaimed dance companies like Paul Taylor Dance Company, Alvin Ailey® American Dance Theater, the Joffrey Ballet, and Ballet Hispánico
  • Iconic comedians like Jerry Seinfeld, John Mulaney, and Bert Kreischer
  • Concerts from Lana Del Rey, Incubus, Diana Ross, Third Eye Blind, Bob Dylan, Boz Scaggs, and Paramore
pt-0 pb-8
orpheum blog
pt-8 pb-8 w-full

How can you get involved with O-pa’s mission? 

Share Article
Related articles
See All
A dramatic performance scene used as a left-side call-to-action on the Omaha Performing Arts news page

find an upcoming show

See What's Coming

support the arts through a donation

Ways to Give
Get updates from Omaha Performing Arts!

Stay in the know about upcoming events, programming, and special offers.

Sign Up

Holland Performing Arts Center

1200 Douglas Street,
Omaha, NE 68102

Buy Tickets

Orpheum Theater


409 South 16th Street,
Omaha, NE 68102

Buy Tickets

Steelhouse Omaha

1100 Dodge Street,
Omaha, NE 68102

Buy Tickets

Tenaska Center for Arts Engagement

12th & Douglas Street,
Omaha, NE 68102

Ticket Omaha


1200 Douglas Street,
Omaha, NE 68102


402.345.0606

Buy Tickets

Copyright © 2026 Omaha Performing Arts, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.