The ‘20s are roaring back: and The Orpheum Theatre is the place to celebrate! The theatre is opening an onstage lounge dubbed The Stage Door Speakeasy: a prohibition-era themed watering hole. Serving a selection of 1920s drinks on The Orpheum stage, the room has been curated for patrons to get lost in the ambiance of an old-fashioned gin joint. The speakeasy will admit patrons only through the back stage door: and as with gin joints of the Jazz Age, they will need to know the password to get in!
Set onstage, The Stage Door Speakeasy sets a mood that reflects the gin mills of the bygone days. Framed by the towering ropes of the fly-rail, distinct backstage brick wall, dimmed theatre lights and soaring drapery hanging skyward, speakeasy guests can enjoy period cocktails, card games, and light snacks while the Victrola radiates vintage tunes. Patrons may also find themselves witnessing a projection of old silent films showing the antics of Buster Keaton or Charles Chaplin, all the while enjoying the occasional set of ragtime music played live on The Orpheum’s baby grand piano.
The Stage Door Speakeasy encourages guests to don their favorite ‘20s garb, and although it’s not required to enter, those that dress the part may be rewarded with free drink tokens! The Stage Door Speakeasy is a creative, festive way to escape the day-to-day by stepping into another time and place to cool off and sip on unique beverages while admiring the elegant visage of The Orpheum Theatre’s gilded beauty.
The Stage Door Speakeasy will open on Friday, July 16, operating from 7-10pm weekly. Guests must approach The Orpheum Theatre from the rear of the building, finding the stage door on the East-facing back wall of the theatre. Patrons must be 21 to enter. To learn more and to find out the password to enter, visit galesburgorpheum.org/speakeasy. It’ll be the bee’s knees!