On the National Registrar of Historic Places after hosting great African American performers such as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Cab Calloway, Billie Holiday, and more.
Constructed as a first-run house for an African-American clientele in 1921. This was a signifcant collaboration between architects Reginald W. Geare and Harry Crandall.
The section of U-Street btw 9th St. & 18th St. came to be known as "Black Broadway" thanks to numerous African-American owned establishments including banks, bowling alleys & dance halls in the 1920s.
Gorgeous venue but beware that most of the balcony seats have ZERO stage visibility. Ended up standing in the back to see - others sat on the backs of their seats. Not cool.
Heard good things but the entire theater was closed due to a group using it for casting. I wanted to at least look in to the theater. A one-way window, perhaps?