The Virginia Theatre
Shows and Photos
This undated photo shows the audience at an unidentified show. Note the back of the main floor. There was no back wall - the auditorium was open to the lobby. Photo courtesy of the Champaign County History Museum.
This undated photo shows the Virginia Theatre proscenium. Photo courtesy of the Champaign County History Museum.
These are just a few of the live performances and movies that played at the Virginia over the years.
Ed. Wynn starred in
The Perfect Fool
on 10 October 1923
Minnie Maddern Fiske starred in The Last Card at the Virginia 9 January 1923. She was typically billed as "Mrs. Fiske."
Fred Stone
starred in Tip Top
on 3 May 1923
The Iron Trail played 6-8 February 1922. A newsreel, comedy short, and several musical selections were standard parts of the program in addition to the feature film.
was a movie starring local talent. It was sponsored by
The News-Gazette and was shown at the Virginia 16-18 July 1923.
Otis Skinner appeared in Sancho Panza on 16 December 1924.
He returned to the Virginia 10 March 1927 in The Honor of The Family.
Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn with their Denishawn Dancers
appeared at the Virginia 2 March 1925.
Metropolis
August 1927
Will Rogers appeared in person on
11 April 1927. In addition to his monologue, he gave a roping demonstration.
Ben-Hur
December 1927
The MGM production of Ben-Hur was directed by Fred Niblo.
May McAvoy played Esther and
Ramon Navarro played Ben-Hur
Souvenir program from the collection of Perry C. Morris
Tallulah Bankhead starred in The Little Foxes at the Virginia on 1 November 1940
The movie version of The Little Foxes began its run at the Virginia on
19 October 1941. Bette Davis had the starring role that Tallulah Bankhead had played on Broadway.
Virginia Theatre facade. "Smash Up: The Story of a Woman" was released in 1947. Photo courtesy of the Champaign County Historical Archives in The Urbana Free Library.
