Jim: Thank you for your astute comments. You’re absolutely right, sources of information should be cited in comments so that discrepancies can be resolved. I should have disclosed that I have been the CEO of the Tampa Theatre for the past twenty years, and we have relied on two sources to fix the Theatre’s opening date: the Tampa Tribune’s 16 page special section on published on the opening day of the Theatre (October 15, 1926) with the bold headline “Magnificent New Theatre Opens Tonight”; and, copies of the original opening night program in our archives which also fix the date as October 15.
The Tampa does in fact have the Eberson family crest including the “fist”. It is located in several places throughout, most prominently on either side of the proscenium arch about 10 – 12 feet off the stage deck. The orchestra pit was covered permanently in the 1970’s to provide space for artists to perform, since the original stage depth was a shockingly shallow eight feet.
Jim: Thank you for your astute comments. You’re absolutely right, sources of information should be cited in comments so that discrepancies can be resolved. I should have disclosed that I have been the CEO of the Tampa Theatre for the past twenty years, and we have relied on two sources to fix the Theatre’s opening date: the Tampa Tribune’s 16 page special section on published on the opening day of the Theatre (October 15, 1926) with the bold headline “Magnificent New Theatre Opens Tonight”; and, copies of the original opening night program in our archives which also fix the date as October 15.
The actual opening date for the Tampa was October 15, 1926.
The Tampa does in fact have the Eberson family crest including the “fist”. It is located in several places throughout, most prominently on either side of the proscenium arch about 10 – 12 feet off the stage deck. The orchestra pit was covered permanently in the 1970’s to provide space for artists to perform, since the original stage depth was a shockingly shallow eight feet.