Ohio Theatre (Columbus)
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| Address | 39 E. State Street Columbus, Ohio United States |
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| Type | movie palace |
| Screens | 1 |
| Current use | live event venue |
| Opened | 17 March 1928 |
| Website | |
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Ohio Theatre
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| Coordinates | 39°57′37″N 82°59′56″W / 39.96028°N 82.99889°WCoordinates: 39°57′37″N 82°59′56″W / 39.96028°N 82.99889°W |
| Architect | Thomas W. Lamb |
| Architectural style | Spanish baroque |
| MPS | Columbus MRA |
| NRHP Reference # | 73001437 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | May 5, 1977 |
| Designated NHL | May 5, 1977 |
The Ohio Theatre is a performing arts center located at 39 E. State Street in Columbus, Ohio. Known as the "Official Theatre of the State of Ohio", the historic 1928 movie palace was saved from demolition in 1969 and completely restored. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977.
The Ohio Theatre is owned and operated by the non-profit arts management organization CAPA (The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts), which was originally formed to save the theater in 1969. As of March 2016[update], William B. Conner, Jr., serves as CAPA's president and CEO, as he has done since 2002.
Located in Downtown Columbus on the site of the old Columbus City Hall, the Ohio Theatre was designed by the noted theatre architect Thomas W. Lamb. Of all of the theaters he designed, he noted the Ohio as one of his most successful. He intended to separate patrons from their daily lives by creating a luxurious fantasy atmosphere inside. It was decorated and furnished by New York designer Anne Dornin. Each room had a theme. Dornin's favorite was the "Africa Corner" which she decorated with authentic pieces from her travels. The theatre also featured lavish men's and women's lounge areas including separate smoking and telephone rooms.
Built by the Loew's theater chain in partnership with United Artists the 2,779 (originally 3,096) seat Spanish Baroque movie palace opened on March 17, 1928. The first film shown there was The Divine Woman, a silent film with Greta Garbo. The Ohio featured its own orchestra and Robert-Morton theatre organ (still in use today). In addition to movies, deluxe variety shows graced the stage, with performers that included Fred Waring, Milton Berle, Ray Bolger, Buddy Ebsen, Ginger Rogers, Conrad Nagel, and Jack Benny.
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