This is the Indiana Repertory Theatre, also home to The Indiana Roof Ballroom. Locally, it’s IRT and The Roof.
It’s not an actual repertory theatre anymore, but they do still show plays. I am a fan of the theatre, but The Mister, not so much. He’d rather be IN the play.
Anyway, I’m telling you that because I have no intention of seeing a play this season, so I won’t be striving for interior shots. If you’re curious, you can take a peek inside here and here.
The building began as a movie palace and a ballroom in 1927.
The ballroom tradition continues on.
Famous Guests’ Names may be misspelled twice in the same block, but they’re still famous.
FAMOUS GUEST LIST
Visited by presidents and famous performers, the Roof has always been the place to be. Jazz singer/songwriter Hogie Carmichael came to the Roof every time we featured a new band, hoping to interest them in his songs.
Presidents John F. Kennedy and Harry Truman enjoyed events held here, along with Sen. Robert Kennedy and former Secretary of State Colin Powell. Audrey Hepburn, Doris Day, Margaret Thatcher and Bing Crosby were also frequent visitors of the Roof in days past. The Roof continues to be the “place to be” in Indianapolis and we continue to host famous performers, actors and celebrities. We are honored to have been visited by the below list of guests:
Actors/Actresses: Audrey Hepburn, Cast of The Office, Don Johnson, James Earl Jones, Doris Day, Hoagie Carmichael, Jason Priestley, Joan Rivers, Mario Lopez, Mark Edwards, Melissa Joan Hart, Morgan Freeman, Patrick Dempsey, Paul Newman, Katharine McPhee, Danny DeVito, Carson Daley and Jane Krakowski
Musicians: Bing Crosby, Commodores, Cool and The Gang, Edwin McCain, Frank Sinatra, Gene Simmons, Harry Connick Jr., Jamie O’Neal, John Mellancamp, Kenny G., Ludacris, The Ohio Players, The Pointer Sisters, Tony Bennett, Jessica Simpson and Maroon 5
Politicians and Television Personalities: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Colin Powell, Harry Truman, Margaret Thatcher, John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Ann Curry, Al Roker and Brian Williams
Athletes: Danica Patrick, Florence Griffith Joyner, Helio Castroneves, Lance Armstrong, Peyton Manning and Reggie Miller
Sorry, Hoagy.
Now back to that beautiful building!
Gilding and carving and stone and tile and well, it pretty much has everything a fancy place should, hm?
#ThursdayDoors is part of an inspired post series run by Norm Frampton. To see other doors of interest, or to share your own, click the link and find the frog.
joeyfullystated 
What a beautiful building. Doesn’t the very top of the building look like a door knocker? I love that!
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IT DOES. I’m sure there’s some architectural reason, a trend in decor or whatnot, but it really is somethin to behold.
Glad you like it, too! 🙂
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What a beautiful building. I think it was still showing movies when I was a kid. In the 70’s I saw Janis Ian there. That was my only visit. I think.
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Yes, I believe you’re right. It was made into a playhouse in the 70s when it was also anointed with the Historical Society’s tag.
It really is stunning, but not if you don’t really LOOK at it. So much this way downtown. I’m glad you agree 🙂
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Wow! That building is amazingly magnificent. I like all of it. And to think of all the performers who have been there! Way cool.
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I’m glad you think so, too, Ally Bean. 🙂
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What an absolutely gorgeous building! I love all the ornate frou-frou – also thought that was a door knocker up high. And then the gilt and tiling below… This must have been a labor of love.
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I’m glad you like it, too. It really is decked-out!
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Wowww, this is one grand front indeed! So clever too, in the shape of the stage curtain. I love the ticket booth too.
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😀
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What a beautiful building!
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🙂
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Wow! Plenty fancy, all right! What great pictures you got, too!
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Thanks! 🙂
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Well, EVERYONE knows who Danica Patrick is, but who are the rest of these so-called “famous people” listed?? ;D Have a new destination for a weekend trip now, I do!!!
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Oh good! 🙂
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Wow – that is one beautiful building. Lot’s of cool people, and I would think Mr. Carmichael wouldn’t mind a little improv around his name. But what’s the deal with “roof?”
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Roof is just what they say. I dunno, I suppose it’s catchy for brevity? Beautiful in there, too.
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Is that near Monument Circle downtown? I think maybe I’ve walked past it on one of the two times we visited Indianapolis.
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It is close to the circle, yes. 🙂
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Then I passed it. I also passed the sweet store. And entered it. And the chocolate store. But I won’t admit to the brownie sundae I had.
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Ah, the South Bend Chocolate Company 😛 Yes. Anything that happens there is completely confidential 🙂
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Phew. 😄
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Wow!
We don’t “do” ornate like that anymore, do we. Do we? I live in the land of function over form, so I am out of touch with the contemporary architecture, but my feeling is that we don’t do ornate like this!
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No, it seems we don’t do ornate like this anymore. We seem now to be very into sleek and shiny.
In recent years, there’s been a beautiful mosque built on my side of town and it’s ornate like this (different design, incredible detail and craftsmanship) and that’s literally the only new ornate thing I can think of. The Mister read an article about it, told me the artisans were brought over to do it with traditional techniques. It’s beautiful. It took years to build.
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Wowsa!! That’s a winner, Joey! I love when cities keep the beautiful old buildings. It adds so much character and history.
janet
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Yes ma’am 🙂 Glad you like it, too.
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Wow – what a spectacular building. The ornate facade on the Theatre must have been created by an amazing artisan. Great photos!.
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So glad you like it, too. Thanks!
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Wow, an impressive front – ( wished it had started on ground level!) and impressive visitors! Great captures! Yeah, I recognize the “adjustments” through marriage. After a number of years we don’t attend classical concerts anymore (which I liked) and no more weekly fishing (what he liked).
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Glad you like it, too.
I have other friends to theatre and ballet with. And he has other people to run with 😉
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A good deal!
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The details on that facade are gorgeous!
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I think so too 🙂
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Wow! That is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing, Joey. 🙂
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My pleasure 😀
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Wonderful building. Too bad they won’t spend the cash of a few decorative flourishes these days. Modern stuff just doesn’t measure up.
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I couldn’t agree more.
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What a blast from the past! I haven’t been in this building for years! Being from Indianapolis myself, I have appreciated how much the downtown area has been revived. Great post.
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Thanks! Always a pleasure to give you a taste of Indy 🙂
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That’s a very handsome theatre. It reminds me of the old days when you went to a theatre and not a movie complex. 🙂
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My childhood included that. Small town, old theatre, red velvet everywhere ❤
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In Indiana – I would have never thought!
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No one does. Everyone thinks we’re all farms 😛
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Wow! That place is beautiful!
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Glad you think so, too!
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That is an imposing striking theater! Woah…
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I’m glad you like it 🙂
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To echo what Ally said, ‘way cool’!! What struck me was the contrast between the IRT and the glass building beside it. This is a case of the glass tower actually highlighting its neighbour. It’s a wonderfully preserved treasure 🙂
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You’re right, it really is a good enhancement.
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That is one spectacular facade and then there’s all the attention to the details: Gilding and carving and stone and tile, oh my!
Nicely done 🙂
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Thank you! I think it’s really somethin.
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Cool doors.
BTW, if your hubby would like to be IN the play, a good gift might be the Master Class video series. I drool at the idea of watching Kevin Spacey teach acting for 5 hours of video ($90, lifetime access for rewatching). If I had ANY possibility of doing acting again, I would look into it in a flash.
Sometimes it’s hard to find presents for spice.
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Hah! Well I’ll let him know 🙂
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What a beautiful building, Joey, it’s gorgeous. I love how you captured someone’s reflection in that last shot, too.
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Thanks! I like her too, she’s a bit fancy 🙂
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Wow! It’s so majestic and beautiful. I love the all that detail in the front facade, and tile at the box office.
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I think the tile is my favorite part 🙂 I’m glad you like it too.
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A very impressive building indeed, ornate and elegant. 🙂
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🙂
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I’m really jealous of all the beautiful architecture you have there. Maybe if I got out more often, I’d find more here since the town has been here since the late 1800’s!
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I’m glad to share my city — And, Oh I bet you will 🙂
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Gorgeous, ornate and simply divine post and the golden poles with brass door handles were royal looking.
I liked all the names and remember my days of insisting to attend at least one play annually. Now, satisfied with high school orchestra and theater productions. 🙂 🙂 Loved this!!
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Glad you like it too 🙂 I tell ya, if the local high school has a good performing arts department, it can be a fantastic way to spend an evening. So close, so cheap, such wonderful parking! 🙂 It’s been a long time since they had a play I wanted to see at the beautiful IRT building, but I’m sure another one will come. There’s another place north of here, Mud Creek Players, and I’ve liked several there.
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Go ahead and delete my extra copy of comment, Joey. The phone was writing double words as I typed. So, it is on a twin roll, I suppose.
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