Cleveland Construction – Playhouse Square

Cleveland Construction – Playhouse Square

“Friends, Romans, countrymen lend me your ears”

Downtown Cleveland’s Playhouse Square stands as a witness to dedicated artists, actors, and playwrights. Made up of separate performing spaces, Playhouse Square is the 2nd greatest center for the arts in the country. It is a storied history that kept our theater district alive. Let’s uncover the secrets of this Cleveland construction.

Ohio Theater

Opened Feb 14, 1921, the Ohio Theater’s first play was “The Return of Peter Grimm” featuring David Warfield.  In 1935, it was redecorated, becoming a supper club re-named the Mayfair Casino. Sadly, the Mayfair was short-lived, closing in 1936. The Ohio has had a lot of reincarnations, including a movie house. In 1972 and again in 1977 it was slated for demolition to make way for a parking lot, both times public uproar saved the theater. Today it is home to the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival and known as Mimi Ohio Theater.

State Theater

The State Theater opened Feb 5, 1921, and was designed to be the “flagship” of the Loews Theater Co., in Ohio. Vaudeville acts and movies filled the place with laughter and excitement. The State’s grand lobby is shared by the Ohio Theater and proudly shows off 4 murals by artist James Daugherty. The State Theater is also home to the longest-lived play “Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.” This 1973 production was slated to run for a 3-week run that lasted 2 years! Now named the Keybank State Theater, this cherished building hosts everything from classic plays to comedians.

Hanna Theater

Since its doors opened in March 1928, The Hanna Theater has been wowing audiences. The first play, Mark Twain’s “The Prince and the Pauper,” packed the house with 1,500 people in attendance. Its interior remains remarkably the same, with original bronze, marble flooring, and elaborate ceiling. Closing in 1989, the Hanna was reborn as a cabaret house in 1993. A full restoration in 2008, led the theater to multiple seating options and offers events such as The Office! A Musical Parody and Sleuth Cleveland.

Allen Theater

Originally a silent movie house, the Allen Theater launched in April 1921, with a whopping 3,000 seats! The movie, “Her Greatest Love.” But time was not kind to Allen. A waning public and low ticket sales led to its closing in 1968. It remained shut for almost 30 years. A massive overhaul led to the theater, reducing its seating to 500 and diversifying the rest of the space. Visit today to experience theater at its best!

We hope we have inspired you to check out some of Cleveland’s finest construction. Go on an adventure in the city and experience the arts and culture of Playhouse Square!