History
The original Orlando Municipal Auditorium was designed in 1925 by Cruz and Parrish, Architects. The classic revival design had an interior arrangement adapted from the Roman Coliseum. It was a very functional design constructed of brick, steel and concrete. The auditorium was constructed by James Peterson Construction Company at a cost of $175,000. The original seating capacity was 2,842 seats.
The grand opening in February 1927 featured a performance of Aida by the La Scala Grand Opera Company.
There were several renovations in the 1950s and 1960s in an effort to make the space more user friendly but there were limitations that needed to be addressed.
On August 17,1975, the grand plans for a “face lift” for the old Municipal Auditorium were published in the Orlando Sentinel by staff writer Dean Johnson, including a new seating plan and architectural rendering of the garden lobby with promenade and an elevator.
Designed by Tom Price and architect Don Duer, this was the first effort to provide Orlando with a functional theatre / concert hall. (From Grand Opening brochure 1978.)
Orlando Municipal Auditorium Gala Celebration
The updated and expanded Municipal Auditorium was opened to the public during a Gala Celebration that took place May 5-14, 1978. A booklet created to memorialize the Gala Celebration was presented to every person attending one of the Gala Events. It features a bio of Robert Spencer Carr, better known to Orlandoans as Bob Carr, a photograph of the buildings before the remodel and an artist’s depiction of the newly remodeled structure and information on all the updates and upgrades completed. Quoting from the letter of Mayor Carl T. Langford in the front of the booklet:
“Whether you are attending the opening night or any evening of this Gala Opening, the City of Orlando extends a heartfelt welcome to you. The purpose of this Gala Celebration is to expose the Mayor Bob Carr Municipal Auditorium to the maximum number of people whether your tastes are Symphony or Country, Ballet or Rock. In other words, “Up Beat, Downtown, Something for Everyone.” We hope you’ll be provided with entertainment to your liking! This is your auditorium — for the privilege of all Central Floridians to enjoy.”
The booklet is in the Orlando Mayor Bob Carr Municipal Auditorium file at the Orlando Public Library, or you can peruse it here.
The Mayor Bob Carr Municipal Auditorium was later renamed the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center, hosting performances of the most popular musical productions of all time and contemporary performance like Stomp. Peruse the Playbills from well-known Broadway plays below, including Jesus Christ Superstar, Death Trap, Man of La Mancha, Stomp, State Fair, Miss Saigon, Tap Dogs and West Side Story.
Peruse the images and documents below under ATTACHMENTS.
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American Ballet Theatre - Orlando Municipal Auditorium
This is the program for the American Ballet Theatre performance on Wednesday, March 29, 1967 at the Orlando Municipal Auditorium (later the...
Detroit Symphony Orchestra Program - Orlando Municipal Auditorium
Program for the Thursday, February 13, 1969, performance of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra at the Orlando Municipal Auditorium (later the Bob Carr...
Orlando Sentinel Architect's Rendition
August 17, 1975, Orlando Sentinel Architect's Rendition.
Dedication Mayor Bob Carr Municipal Auditorium
The updated and expanded Municipal Auditorium was opened to the public during a Gala Celebration that took place May 5-14, 1978. A...
Bob Carr Dedication
Photo of Bob Carr in the Dedication program.
1978 Brochure on the New Bob Carr Auditorium
1978 Brochure on the New Bob Carr Auditorium - Model.
1978 Brochure on the New Bob Carr Auditorium
1978 Brochure on the New Bob Carr Auditorium - Main Seating Plan.
1978 Brochure on the New Bob Carr Auditorium
1978 Brochure on the New Bob Carr Auditorium - side view.
1978 Brochure on the New Bob Carr Auditorium
1978 Brochure on the New Bob Carr Auditorium - Site plan.
May 1996 production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Bob Carr.
Program cover for the May 1996 production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Bob Carr. See selected pages from the program below...
From the program for the May 1996 production of Jesus Christ Superstar.
From the program for the May 1996 production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Bob Carr. Mentions OCLS for our Discover Broadway...
Discover Broadway at the Library May 1996.
Advertisement for the Discover Broadway at the Library event for Jesus Christ Superstar in May 1996.
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Page 20 of the Orlando Brief includes photos of the Albertson Public Library and the Orlando Municipal Auditorium (Bob Carr Auditorium). The auditorium is hardly recognizable if you see it today as a facade was added to the front of the building that altered the entrance area many years ago.
This is the program for the American Ballet Theatre performance on Monday, January 15, 1968 at the Orlando Municipal Auditorium (later the Bob Carr Municipal Auditorium).
Also included are the names of the staff for American Ballet Theatre, Central Florida Civic Music Committee executive committee, steering committee, board of directors, committees for 1967-1968 and the women's committee. Surnames of individuals listed include: Cooper, Duda, Martin, Lavin, Kingdon, Angel, Becton, Black, Carter, Eaddy, Maybarduk, Stanford, Taylor, West, Wittenstein, Barton, Gibson, Headley, Kirk, Miller, Savage, Saville, Stowers, Streep, Wood, Cisco-Smith, Dunham, Fague, Fatula, Kitchin, Lackey, Moore, Overstreet, Schweizer, Torrance, Alleman, Barker, Duncan, Eiselstein, Gallagher, Gilbert, Hogue, Orr, Yergey, Banks, Cooksley, Greene, Johnson, Mallory, Shinholzer, Voorhis, Pattishall, Martin, Ricker, Crampton, Hays, Yergey, Torrance, Drake, Villwock, Wittenstein, Gilbert, Antink.
The attached program is avaialable at the Orlando Public Library in the Florida Associations - Central Florida Civic Music Association file or you may peruse it here.
Program for the Thursday, February 13, 1969, performance of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra at the Orlando Municipal Auditorium (later the Bob Carr Municipal Auditorium) with Sixten Ehrling conducting.
The program includes the Central Florida Civic Music Association Executive Committee members, Vice Presidents, Steering Committee members, Board of Directors, Board of Honorary Directors and Women's Committee Executive Board.
Surnames of those listed include: Schweizer, Lavin, Stowers, Angel, Maybarduk, Black, Carter, Kitchin, Stanford, Taylor, West, Wittenstein, Fague, Yergy, Duda, Eaddy, Cooper, Cisco-Smith,, Dunham, Martin, Fatula, Streep, Lackey, Moore, Overstreet, Cooper, Torrance, Alleman, Barker, Duncan, Eiselstein, Gallagher, Gilbert, Hogue, Orr, Headley, Kirk, Savage, Saville, Wood, Girardet, Fleming, Feather, Slutz, Simmons, Banks, Johnson, Mallory, Shinholzer, Phillips, Voorhis, Antink, Vickers, Martin, Crampton, Hays.
The program is part of the Florida Associations vertical file at the Orlando Public Library.
Orlando Sentinel article, August 17, 1975, on the need to remodel the Municipal Auditorium.
Mayor Bob Carr Municipal Auditorium Dedication Gala Program, May 5-14, 1978.
Facts and figures on the history of the Municipal Auditorium and the remodel in 1978.
Selected pages from the program for the May 1996 production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Bob Carr.
Selected pages from the program for the November 1996 production of Ira Levin's Deathtrap at the Bob Carr.
January 1997 - West Side Story
February 1997 - Man of La Mancha
April 1997 - Miss Saigon
July 1997 - Stomp
September 1997 - Tap Dogs
November 1997 - Maria Callas Master Class
December 1997 - State Fair
