Lyric Theater [Boonville]
Lyric Theater
theatre in Boonville
theater in Boonville
Built 1855-1857 by the Tespian Society, a frontier dramatic organization founded in 1838. Opened 3 July 1857 with a grand ball, and dedication ceremonies held on Independence Day. Used as theatre, club meeting place, library, and city hall. Fortified and used as barracks, hospital and prison during the Civil War. 1901 remodeled into an opera house by J. L. Howard (enlargement of auditorium, addition of a stagehouse). Re-opened as Stephens Opera House 5 Oct 1901. 1912-1975 used as nickelodeon theatre and subsequently cinema theatre. 1937 plans to replace the hall by a modern movie house. Rescued by the Thespian Hall Preservation Committee. Subsequently renamed Lyric Theatre. 1975 acquired by The Friends of Historic Boonville, since then several renovations. - Currently again known as Thespian Hall and used by The Missouri River Festival of the Arts, Thespian Hall Tonight concerts, student porgrams, community organizations. Home to the Boonville Community Theater.