Elitch Theatre

Denver, United States

Open to visitors

The interior is normally open, possibly ticketed.

Strollie cannot guarantee access — always check before you travel.

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The Historic Elitch Theatre in northwest Denver, Colorado, is a shingle-style theatre building that opened in 1890 as Denver's first professional theatre. From 1893 until the 1960s, it served as home to America's first and oldest summer-stock theatre company. The venue holds particular significance in cinema history: the first films shown in the western United States were screened there in 1896. Cecil B. DeMille recognized its cultural importance, sending yearly congratulatory telegrams and calling it "one of the cradles of American drama." The theatre, located at the original Elitch Gardens site, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.