Kentucky Theatre

214 E. Main Street,
Lexington, KY 40507

6 people favorited this theater

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Kentucky Theatre (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Paramount-Publix, Schine Circuit Inc.

Architects: Alfred Joseph, Oscar Joseph

Firms: Joseph & Joseph

Functions: Concerts, Movies

Styles: Adam, Italian Renaissance

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 859.231.6997

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News About This Theater

Feb 5, 2014 — Kentucky Theatre to undergo major renovation
Oct 1, 2012 — Lexington's Kentucky Theater celebrates 90th anniversary
Jan 4, 2012 — Lee Overstreet, friendly face in Kentucky Theatre's box office, dies
Mar 2, 2010 — Happy 45th, "The Sound Of Music"
Jul 13, 2005 — The Kentucky Theatre Documentary

The Kentucky Theatre and its mighty Wurlitzer which was opened by organist H. Hayden Read, are an official Save America’s Treasures project which are owned by the city of Lexington.

Opened on October 4, 1922 with Norma Talmadge in “The Eternal Flame”, the interior of this 1,100-seat theatre is an Adamesque style delight. Following renovation & redecoration it reopened on August 19, 1933 with Charlie Ruggles in “Mama Loves Papa”. It was operated by the Phoenix Amusement Company. By 1941, it was operated by the Schine Circuit. The Kentucky Theatre now has a shared lobby and conjoined projection booth with the adjacent State Theatre, which is also a ‘Cinema Treasure’.

Damaged by fire in 1987 and restored in 1989, this ornate theatre still needs an infusion of cash and more renovations to bring it back to all of its original splendor. It was reopened in 1992.

However, with their recent notice and restoration project well underway, the Kentucky Theatre will rise again!

Contributed by Abygale, Kevin Fillips

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Recent comments (view all 17 comments)

Mike Rogers on March 15, 2010 at 4:12 pm

YOu outta drive up there one day it was beautiful and the staff was glad to show off the theatre. I bought a nice local book about the theatre.

TLSLOEWS on March 15, 2010 at 4:30 pm

I think I will,Mike.

CSWalczak on September 30, 2012 at 1:51 am

The theater celebrates its 90th anniversary: View article.

Patsy on February 27, 2013 at 6:27 am

Is there an update on this theatre and its mighty Wurlitzer? Great 1930 photo with the blade marquee!

Patsy on February 18, 2014 at 1:12 pm

As always….thank you!!

Patsy on February 18, 2014 at 1:19 pm

Great clip….also mentioned the State Theatre in Lexington!

DavidZornig on July 5, 2015 at 11:43 am

1933 Westinghouse Trade Show photo added, courtesy of the AmeriCar The Beautiful Facebook page. Original marquee.

Circle25 on October 18, 2019 at 2:28 pm

Not sure where the 1,276-seat figure came from, but the Kentucky Theatre was an 1,100-seat theatre until it was remodeled in 1992 after the fire — when several rows of seats were removed in the front to make room for a larger stage.

They may be counting the seats in the former State Theatre (fka Downtown Cinema), which is now acting as a second screen to the Kentucky.