Your movie or live performance experience is all the better at the 1914 historic Cresco Opera House & Theatre! Cresco Theatre and Opera House features the best of the past equipped with the current amenities to provide a unique and memorable experience.
The Cresco Theatre was built in 1914 to replace Lyric Hall that had fallen into disrepair. The Theatre was originally built as an opera hall, opening in 1915, Cresco Theatre embraced live entertainment but looked forward to the future by providing a projection booth to show movies. When it opened, there were wooden seats for 725 people divided just about equally between the main floor and the upper and lower balcony. These wooden seats were later replaced with cushioned seats, and today the theatre seats just over 425.
The building was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and is located in the historic 1914 Opera House.
It is located just west of the Howard County Courthouse, is 100 feet long and 47 feet wide. The stage is 47 feet wide and 20 feet deep. The proscenium arch is 28 feet wide and 20 feet high. An orchestra pit fronts the stage, and there are two wing stages on both sides.
From vaudeville to surround-sound, from silent movies to major musicals, the Cresco Opera House has long served as the entertainment center for the greater Cresco, Iowa, area and beyond. The architectural beauty has spanned the entertainment world from the early 20th Century into the 21st, and, thanks to the dedication of the people of Cresco, for many years to come.
In 2014, Cresco Theatre and Opera House celebrated 100 years with a series of live shows and period movies for all ages. Cresco Theatre and Opera House continues to succeed because of the support of the City of Cresco, the community and surrounding areas. Every time you come to a movie, live event or show, purchase a gift certificate, movie pass or concessions you are helping to ensure that this community treasure will continue to thrive.
The goal is to continue to work to make it energy efficient, accessible to everyone and preserve it for future generations. This is a group effort as we look for creative ways to keep this incredible space viable for years to come.
The theatre is available to rent to individuals and groups for private and public events. Gaming on The big screen is also an option! You bring your gaming console and controllers and a few friends and they’ll connect it to their WIFI and projector and you can game on the big screen! Complete with some serious surround sound!
Movies are shown nightly unless a live performance is taking place; Cresco Community Theatre Productions perform live shows several times a year. Known for its affordable family fun entertainment, movies (2D and 3D) and exceptional live performances, this is one place you have to visit and take in when in Cresco!
