Opened in 1921 originally as the Hennepin Theatre, the Orpheum is one of four theatre venues on Hennepin Avenue that stages the majority of theater-related events in the city. It has undergone drastic renovation in 1993, after the sale of the theatre by none other than Bob Dylan, to what is now called the Hennepin Theatre Trust. The Orpheum is notable for staging the pre-Broadway world premiere of Disney's The Lion King.

One of the many theaters around the country founded by impressario Alexander Pantages', this magnificent building began life as vaudeville theater, and has since gone through various restorations to maintain its gilt-edged splendor. The Pantages' most striking feature is the stained glass globe in its ceiling.