Roseland Theater

Roseland Theater is a historic theater and music venue located in Portland, Oregon, near the Willamette River and Pioneer Courthouse Square. The theater has hosted a wide range of performances, including music concerts by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan, as well as theater productions by companies like the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the Portland Center Stage. The Roseland Theater is also close to other notable venues, such as the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall and the Moda Center, which have hosted events like the Portland Jazz Festival and NBA games featuring the Portland Trail Blazers. The theater's history is intertwined with that of other nearby landmarks, including the Pittock Mansion and the Japanese American Historical Plaza.

● History

The Roseland Theater was built in 1922, during a period of significant growth and development in Portland, Oregon, which was also home to other historic theaters like the Bagdad Theatre and the Crystal Ballroom. The theater's early years were marked by performances by vaudeville acts, including Charlie Chaplin and the Marx Brothers, as well as silent film screenings, which were accompanied by live music performances by organists like Fats Waller and Duke Ellington. In the 1950s and 1960s, the Roseland Theater hosted rock and roll concerts by Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard, which helped to establish the theater as a major music venue in the Pacific Northwest. The theater's history is also connected to that of other nearby cities, including Seattle, Washington, which is home to the Paramount Theatre and the Moore Theatre, and Vancouver, British Columbia, which is home to the Orpheum Theatre and the Commodore Ballroom.

● Architecture

The Roseland Theater was designed in the Neoclassical style, with a facade featuring a pediment and columns inspired by ancient Greek and Roman architecture. The theater's interior features a proscenium arch and a balcony with ornate plasterwork, which was influenced by the designs of European opera houses like La Scala and the Palais Garnier. The theater's architecture is similar to that of other historic theaters in the United States, including the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York City and the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco, California. The Roseland Theater's design has been influenced by the work of architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan, who were known for their innovative and ornate designs, as seen in buildings like the Guggenheim Museum and the Auditorium Theatre.

● Performances

The Roseland Theater has hosted a wide range of performances over the years, including music concerts by The Who, The Doors, and Jimi Hendrix, as well as theater productions by companies like the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre. The theater has also hosted dance performances by companies like the New York City Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre, as well as comedy acts by comedians like Richard Pryor and George Carlin. The Roseland Theater's performances have been influenced by the work of directors like Orson Welles and Tennessee Williams, who were known for their innovative and experimental approaches to theater and film. The theater's schedule has also included events like the Portland Folk Festival and the Waterfront Blues Festival, which have featured performances by musicians like B.B. King and Etta James.

● Notable Events

The Roseland Theater has hosted many notable events over the years, including concerts by The Grateful Dead and The Allman Brothers Band, as well as theater productions like Hamlet and A Midsummer Night's Dream. The theater has also hosted film screenings and Q&A sessions with directors like Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola, as well as award ceremonies like the Grammy Awards and the Tony Awards. The Roseland Theater's events have been influenced by the work of festivals like Coachella and Lollapalooza, which have featured performances by musicians like Paul McCartney and Lady Gaga. The theater's schedule has also included events like the Portland Rose Festival and the Feast Portland, which have featured performances by chefs like Thomas Keller and Alice Waters.

● Renovations

The Roseland Theater has undergone several renovations over the years, including a major restoration project in the 1980s, which was led by architects like Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown. The project restored the theater's original facade and interior features, including the proscenium arch and the balcony. The theater has also undergone technical upgrades, including the installation of new sound and lighting systems, which have been designed by companies like Yamaha and Vari-Lite. The Roseland Theater's renovations have been influenced by the work of preservation organizations like the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Historic Preservation League, which have worked to protect and restore historic buildings like the White House and the United States Capitol. The theater's renovations have also been supported by government agencies like the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Park Service, which have provided funding for historic preservation projects like the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park.

Category:Theatres in Portland, Oregon