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NEW UPDATE: According to a release, the Branson Regional Arts Council has entered into a contract to purchase the Historic Owen Theatre at 205 South Commercial Street in downtown Branson. They will assume ownership in January of 2018.
Local residents Ron and Diane Mathes have owned the venue for many years, providing a showcase for a variety of live music shows including the current productions “A Neil Diamond Tribute,” starring Keith Allynn, and “Carpenters Once More,” starring Dianna Lynn and Ron Preston. Both shows have a full schedule through the middle of December.
“We truly appreciate that the Mathes’ understand and support the vision of the Branson Regional Arts Council in our quest to improve the lives of area residents and visitors by providing artistic and theatrical community programs,” Executive Director Jim Barber said. “After 52 years as an organization, the Arts Council will have, for the first time, a permanent venue dedicated to presenting community theatre and other arts-related programming. This investment will be a catalyst for new economic growth opportunities through arts initiatives that serve our entire area.”
Branson’s very first theatre and movie house, built in 1936, was originally owned by Jim Owen, also known as the “King of the River” due to his well-known guided float trips on the White River. Owen’s career began as an advertising manager for a Jefferson City newspaper, and after visiting the Ozarks in 1933, he fell in love with the area, making it his permanent home.
Three years later, discussion began on building a venue close to the shore of Lake Taneycomo. The theatre was designed for Owen by Carl and Robert Boller, the Boller Brothers, of Kansas City. The brothers Boller are credited with designing, or consulting on the design of, more than 300 classic theatre venues nationwide, ranging from small vaudeville houses to large movie palaces. Each theatre was unique, with designs influenced by the history of the towns in which they were located.
Approximately 20 of the Boller Brothers works are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
While many of the Boller Brother theatres have now been demolished or renovated, the Branson Regional Arts Council is excited for this opportunity to preserve the original aspects of the Historic Owen Theatre, while providing a wide variety of artistic, cultural and educational opportunities that support, strengthen and enhance the lives of Branson area residents and visitors from around the world.
Initially called the “ …
Author: By Joshua Clark
