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Saturday April 12th, 2014, Tony and I was walking around Chattanooga and I have seen this gorgeous Theater several times, but today I thought I would get a little closer and investigate.. Of course it was closed and I couldn't get inside..so I had to marvel in awe on the outside at the gorgeous ART DECO design of this fabulous theater..I want to get inside badly and will before you know it...lol Meanwhile, when I got home I had to do some research on the theater and this is what I found out to share with all of my YELP co-herts.. The Tivoli Theatre, also known as the Tivoli, is a historic theatre in Chattanooga, Tennessee, opening on March 19, 1921. Built between 1919 and 1921 at a cost of $750,000, designed by famed Chicago-based architectural firm Rapp and Rapp and well-known Chattanooga architect Reuben H. Hunt, and constructed by the John Parks Company (general contractors), the theatre was one of the first air-conditioned public buildings in the United States. The theatre was named Tivoli after Tivoli, Italy, has cream tiles and beige terra-cotta bricks, has a large red, black, and white marquee with 1,000 chaser lights, and has a large black neon sign that displays TIVOLI with still more chaser lights The building seats 1,012 in the orchestra, 48 in upper boxes, 78 in the loge, 312 in the upper balcony, 312 in the lower balcony, and 104 in removable orchestra pit seating. Therefore, the Tivoli can hold more than 1,750 people.[4] The stage's depth is 44 feet (13 m) and 99 feet (30 m) long. The ornately decorated silver and gold proscenium's width is 47 feet and 8 inches (14.3 meters and 20.3 cm) and is 26 feet (7.9 m) high. The Tivoli has had two music systems in its lifetime. When the theatre opened in 1921, a Bennett Pipe Organ was used and then replaced in 1924 with a $30,000 Wurlitzer organ. The organ, also known as the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ 235 Special, was installed in order to produce live music to accommodate silent films and stage productions. The Mighty Wurlitzer Organ is still playing almost a century later Reflecting the Beaux Arts architectural style prevalent in late 19th century and early 20th century America, the theatre contains a high rose-and-gold coffered ceiling, the original box office, a grand lobby with a white terrazzo floor inlaid with forest-green marble and music-motif medallions, crystal chandeliers, an elegant foyer, and red velvet-plush chairs.[2] The Tivoli opened on March 19, 1921 to a concert by the Tivoli Symphony, a screening of Cecil B. DeMille's 1921 film Forbidden Fruit, and a personal appearance by Forbidden Fruit's Mae Murray.[2] The theater served Chattanooga well for several decades as the chief location for stage and film entertainment in Chattanooga, but went into a steady decline as modern movie theaters started to appear in Chattanooga in the 1950's. The Tivoli was, at one time, owned by ABC and was later leased to Chattanooga as a performing arts facility. The theatre was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in April 1973. The city of Chattanooga purchased the Tivoli in 1976 for $300,000 after the theater had been in disrepair for some years; Chattanooga's Department of Education, Arts, and Culture currently owns and operates the Tivoli. In 1979, Chattanooga-based Lyndhurst Foundation gave a $25,000 grant to the then-Chattanooga Arts Council, which is now Allied Arts of Greater Chattanooga, for a feasibility study on restoring the Tivoli. Other grants for renovation included $3.5 million given by Tennessee in 1986, $3.2 million raised by a private campaign by Chattanoogans, and $300,000 given by the city government. After the Tivoli closed on June 5, 1987 for renovations, which were directed by Robert A. Franklin, the Tivoli reopened on March 29, 1989 with a recital by Marilyn Horne FAMOUS PERFORMERS: Some famous actors, actresses, movies, and shows that have played at the Tivoli are listed below: Louis Armstrong Fanny Brice Lynn Fontanne Helen Hayes Marilyn Horne Alfred Lunt Idiot's Delight Mary of Scotland The Old Maid The Earl Carroll Vanities The Greater Marcus Show The Ziegfeld Follies I have to check this out..it has to be absolutely GORGEOUS inside...has to be !!!
I've been to the Tivoli several times in my lifetime. The 1st was a special showing of Casablanca, maybe the 30th or 35th anniversary of the iconic film. Most recently was the Book of Mormon. The show was fantastic. Excited that Chattanooga is now drawing Broadway tours, and I believe a big reason is the Tivoli. There is not a bad seat in the house. I was in the orchestra center left for BoM. It was the balcony for Dave Chapelle. There is NOT a bad seat in the place. Fabulous venue.
I've lived in Chattanooga almost three years now and have been to three shows at the Tivoli. The first was Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker. My first live ballet, and while the dancing was good, the scenery and costumes were gaudy. I prefer something more traditional when it comes to the Nutcracker. The second was more recent and was Les Miserables. As a theatre geek, I wasn't expecting much having seen it on Broadway and knowing the size of the Tivoli couldn't accommodate the grand sets of the NY production, but I was pleasantly surprised at how well it worked and the genius of the design adaptation for the smaller stage. The overall quality of the production was great. My friend and I sat in the second row of the loge, however, and the lighting rigs on the front of the loge did interfere with seeing some of the action downstage. I think sitting in the front row would make it even harder to see so be warned if buying loge tickets. Tonight I got back from the opening of CATS. It was my 6th time seeing it (1st not at it's original home at the Winter Garden in NYC). The production and cast were absolutely PHENOMENAL!! I had a right center balcony, row A seat and it was perfect for this show. The sound quality of the live orchestra was incredible. As for the theatre itself, it's absolutely beautiful with amazing architecture and detail. However, I'm only giving it 4 stars (and considered 3) because it seriously needs some restoration. There is major paint flaking, especially on the ceilings, and I worry with the sound and vibration that it's going to flake off and fall on people. I don't know if the issues go beyond paint to plaster or structure but if the Tivoli wants to keep drawing in quality shows and audiences, something needs to be done about the appearance.
I've only gone to this theatre for the "Home For The Holidays" Christmas music program by the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera. Both times I truly enjoyed the experience. Great selection of Christmas pieces and usually a singalong of Christmas songs during the program. Santa always makes an appearance as well. The theatre appears to have a lot of its original construction - signage, tight seating, architecture, and such. It could use some updating, but works okay for what it is. Nice thing is that there isn't really a bad seat in the house. Pretty much any seat has a decent view of the stage.
I went to a concert tonight with 5 others and we had a lot of fun. The band was gifted with entertaining everybody by playing their musical instruments. We all enjoyed the band and got our money's worth too. There's not many you can go to pay reasonable prices for concert tickets.
The Tivoli has recently started showing Movies - what a wonderful venue to see a movie - just as it began its life many years ago - I took my boys to see E.T. last night - we have seen the movie, but sitting on the first row of the balcony made it a different experience for all of us - and the organist before the movie was a special treat. I am excited that this venue is opening up again to movies - come see one!!!
THE TIVOLI NEEDS A LITTLE LOVE AND TENDERNESS! This is a beautiful theater that has been around since 1921 and was added to the historic registry in 1973. Although it has undergone a couple of restorations, it is in dire need of some additional attention. Most telling, is the lack of simple things such as the locks on the bathroom stall doors, a need for housekeeping services and needed repairs of the ceiling directly over the seats. Despite the need for repairs, there is no denying the beauty of this theater. The architecture is exquisite and many areas are still in great shape. I would love to see it restored to its former splendor. *** The seats in this theater are fairly narrow so keep this in mind. You don't want to add bulk by adding a heavy coat so just dress in light layers. *** Ladies when you line up for the ladies' room, don't just stop at the first group of stalls as you will only back up the line. Continue on to the stalls that are further in and use those as well. It would be nice if the bathrooms were staffed with attendants to expedite the process and maintain privacy, (holding doors that don't lock). However, I noticed that the theater was staffed with volunteers and so I don't think that an attendant is in the budget. Overall, I enjoyed my visit to this theater and would definitely return for future productions.
7 years ago
Went to see Dave Chappell on 12/12. There were two shows, one at 7 and one at 10! I hadn't been to the Tivoli since grade school! But the show was great!! Just a tip for the owners, they should really considering moving where they position the mic. It was far enough back so that the people at the top could see the comedian. I was on maybe the 3rd row up in the balcony and had to lean up a bit to see the comedian. The Tivoli is so pretty. The bartender was also nice and made good drinks read more
13 years ago
Saturday April 12th, 2014, Tony and I was walking around Chattanooga and I have seen this gorgeous Theater several times, but today I thought I would get a little closer and investigate.. Of course it was closed and I couldn't get inside..so I had to marvel in awe on the outside at the gorgeous ART DECO design of this fabulous theater..I want to get inside badly and will before you know it...lol Meanwhile, when I got home I had to do some research on the theater and this is what I found out to share with all of my YELP co-herts.. The Tivoli Theatre, also known as the Tivoli, is a historic theatre in Chattanooga, Tennessee, opening on March 19, 1921. Built between 1919 and 1921 at a cost of $750,000, designed by famed Chicago-based architectural firm Rapp and Rapp and well-known Chattanooga architect Reuben H. Hunt, and constructed by the John Parks Company (general contractors), the theatre was one of the first air-conditioned public buildings in the United States. The theatre was named Tivoli after Tivoli, Italy, has cream tiles and beige terra-cotta bricks, has a large red, black, and white marquee with 1,000 chaser lights, and has a large black neon sign that displays TIVOLI with still more chaser lights The building seats 1,012 in the orchestra, 48 in upper boxes, 78 in the loge, 312 in the upper balcony, 312 in the lower balcony, and 104 in removable orchestra pit seating. Therefore, the Tivoli can hold more than 1,750 people.[4] The stage's depth is 44 feet (13 m) and 99 feet (30 m) long. The ornately decorated silver and gold proscenium's width is 47 feet and 8 inches (14.3 meters and 20.3 cm) and is 26 feet (7.9 m) high. The Tivoli has had two music systems in its lifetime. When the theatre opened in 1921, a Bennett Pipe Organ was used and then replaced in 1924 with a $30,000 Wurlitzer organ. The organ, also known as the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ 235 Special, was installed in order to produce live music to accommodate silent films and stage productions. The Mighty Wurlitzer Organ is still playing almost a century later Reflecting the Beaux Arts architectural style prevalent in late 19th century and early 20th century America, the theatre contains a high rose-and-gold coffered ceiling, the original box office, a grand lobby with a white terrazzo floor inlaid with forest-green marble and music-motif medallions, crystal chandeliers, an elegant foyer, and red velvet-plush chairs.[2] The Tivoli opened on March 19, 1921 to a concert by the Tivoli Symphony, a screening of Cecil B. DeMille's 1921 film Forbidden Fruit, and a personal appearance by Forbidden Fruit's Mae Murray.[2] The theater served Chattanooga well for several decades as the chief location for stage and film entertainment in Chattanooga, but went into a steady decline as modern movie theaters started to appear in Chattanooga in the 1950's. The Tivoli was, at one time, owned by ABC and was later leased to Chattanooga as a performing arts facility. The theatre was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in April 1973. The city of Chattanooga purchased the Tivoli in 1976 for $300,000 after the theater had been in disrepair for some years; Chattanooga's Department of Education, Arts, and Culture currently owns and operates the Tivoli. In 1979, Chattanooga-based Lyndhurst Foundation gave a $25,000 grant to the then-Chattanooga Arts Council, which is now Allied Arts of Greater Chattanooga, for a feasibility study on restoring the Tivoli. Other grants for renovation included $3.5 million given by Tennessee in 1986, $3.2 million raised by a private campaign by Chattanoogans, and $300,000 given by the city government. After the Tivoli closed on June 5, 1987 for renovations, which were directed by Robert A. Franklin, the Tivoli reopened on March 29, 1989 with a recital by Marilyn Horne FAMOUS PERFORMERS: Some famous actors, actresses, movies, and shows that have played at the Tivoli are listed below: Louis Armstrong Fanny Brice Lynn Fontanne Helen Hayes Marilyn Horne Alfred Lunt Idiot's Delight Mary of Scotland The Old Maid The Earl Carroll Vanities The Greater Marcus Show The Ziegfeld Follies I have to check this out..it has to be absolutely GORGEOUS inside...has to be !!! read more
I've been to the Tivoli several times in my lifetime. The 1st was a special showing of Casablanca, maybe the 30th or 35th anniversary of the iconic film. Most recently was the Book of Mormon. The show was fantastic. Excited that Chattanooga is now drawing Broadway tours, and I believe a big reason is the Tivoli. There is not a bad seat in the house. I was in the orchestra center left for BoM. It was the balcony for Dave Chapelle. There is NOT a bad seat in the place. Fabulous venue. read more
I've lived in Chattanooga almost three years now and have been to three shows at the Tivoli. The first was Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker. My first live ballet, and while the dancing was good, the scenery and costumes were gaudy. I prefer something more traditional when it comes to the Nutcracker. The second was more recent and was Les Miserables. As a theatre geek, I wasn't expecting much having seen it on Broadway and knowing the size of the Tivoli couldn't accommodate the grand sets of the NY production, but I was pleasantly surprised at how well it worked and the genius of the design adaptation for the smaller stage. The overall quality of the production was great. My friend and I sat in the second row of the loge, however, and the lighting rigs on the front of the loge did interfere with seeing some of the action downstage. I think sitting in the front row would make it even harder to see so be warned if buying loge tickets. Tonight I got back from the opening of CATS. It was my 6th time seeing it (1st not at it's original home at the Winter Garden in NYC). The production and cast were absolutely PHENOMENAL!! I had a right center balcony, row A seat and it was perfect for this show. The sound quality of the live orchestra was incredible. As for the theatre itself, it's absolutely beautiful with amazing architecture and detail. However, I'm only giving it 4 stars (and considered 3) because it seriously needs some restoration. There is major paint flaking, especially on the ceilings, and I worry with the sound and vibration that it's going to flake off and fall on people. I don't know if the issues go beyond paint to plaster or structure but if the Tivoli wants to keep drawing in quality shows and audiences, something needs to be done about the appearance. read more
10 years ago
I've only gone to this theatre for the "Home For The Holidays" Christmas music program by the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera. Both times I truly enjoyed the experience. Great selection of Christmas pieces and usually a singalong of Christmas songs during the program. Santa always makes an appearance as well. The theatre appears to have a lot of its original construction - signage, tight seating, architecture, and such. It could use some updating, but works okay for what it is. Nice thing is that there isn't really a bad seat in the house. Pretty much any seat has a decent view of the stage. read more
5 years ago
I went to a concert tonight with 5 others and we had a lot of fun. The band was gifted with entertaining everybody by playing their musical instruments. We all enjoyed the band and got our money's worth too. There's not many you can go to pay reasonable prices for concert tickets. read more
8 years ago
The Tivoli has recently started showing Movies - what a wonderful venue to see a movie - just as it began its life many years ago - I took my boys to see E.T. last night - we have seen the movie, but sitting on the first row of the balcony made it a different experience for all of us - and the organist before the movie was a special treat. I am excited that this venue is opening up again to movies - come see one!!! read more
11 years ago
THE TIVOLI NEEDS A LITTLE LOVE AND TENDERNESS! This is a beautiful theater that has been around since 1921 and was added to the historic registry in 1973. Although it has undergone a couple of restorations, it is in dire need of some additional attention. Most telling, is the lack of simple things such as the locks on the bathroom stall doors, a need for housekeeping services and needed repairs of the ceiling directly over the seats. Despite the need for repairs, there is no denying the beauty of this theater. The architecture is exquisite and many areas are still in great shape. I would love to see it restored to its former splendor. *** The seats in this theater are fairly narrow so keep this in mind. You don't want to add bulk by adding a heavy coat so just dress in light layers. *** Ladies when you line up for the ladies' room, don't just stop at the first group of stalls as you will only back up the line. Continue on to the stalls that are further in and use those as well. It would be nice if the bathrooms were staffed with attendants to expedite the process and maintain privacy, (holding doors that don't lock). However, I noticed that the theater was staffed with volunteers and so I don't think that an attendant is in the budget. Overall, I enjoyed my visit to this theater and would definitely return for future productions. read more
10 years ago
Old time theater in downtown Chattanooga... Very nostalgic feeling. Ashers were very nice and helpful thus making it easy to find your seat for the Brian Regan show! Theater needs some fresh paint but otherwise a very cool place to see a show, Not really a bad seat in the house read more
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More info about Tivoli Theatre
709 Broad St
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Directions
(423) 757-5580
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http://www.tivolichattanooga.com
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Ask the Community - Tivoli Theatre
Do people get dressed up for the cso an ballet such as the nutcracker?
Yes, people get dressed up. Especially when it's the Nutcracker or a special holiday program.
Review Highlights - Tivoli Theatre
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1 review that is not currently recommended
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13 years ago
