Ohio Theatre

A Glimpse at History: The Ohio Theatre

The Ohio Theatre’s opening night, February 14, 1921, revealed one of PlayhouseSquare’s most elaborate lobbies with a breathtaking frescoed ceiling, stately Corinthian columns and three original murals by a famous Italian artist (all of which would be lost to a devastating lobby fire in 1964). In addition to legitimate theater productions, such musical greats as Sophie Tucker, Benny Goodman and Ozzie Nelson would play the Ohio. The venue also boasted a brief (1935-36) incarnation as the Mayfair Casino, an elegant supper club featuring both a circular lobby bar and a circular performance stage. Today, the intimate Ohio seats 1000.