One of Springfield, Missouri's oldest landmarks and most beloved attractions is the Landers Theatre. Built in 1909, it was the first civic theatre operation in Missouri.
The four-story building has a rich history. Lillian Russell, John Phillip Sousa, Lon Cheney and Fanny Brice are just some of the famous faces to grace its stage. In 1928, the Landers Theatre became one of the first motion picture houses in the country to start showing "talkies."
By 1977, the Landers Theatre had lost some of its elegance, but was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The following decade saw major improvements to the interior and the exterior of the theatre. It was restored to its original grandeur.
The theatre is also one of Ghosts of Springfield Missouri hotspots. There are several regular hauntings that staff, casts and visitors to the theatre have reported seeing and experiencing.
Actors who are on the stage often see a janitor who died during a fire in 1920 up in the balcony. A baby was once accidentally dropped from the upper balcony. People inside the theatre regularly hear a baby crying, which is followed by comforting from a mother's voice. There is a blonde woman in Elizabethan clothing that has been seen several times. She looks out a fourth floor window, and has only been seen by people outside of the theatre. Other strange phenomenon includes unplugged lights turning off and on and people feeling taps on their shoulder.
The Little Theatre company still performs there to this day with four separate troupes.
You can catch a wide variety of shows at the theater, including plays, musicals, ballets and the symphony. The theatre company also hosts classes in acting, voice, dance and technical theatre. There are summer workshops for teens and children.
The theatre is located at 311 E. Walnut Ave, Springfield. For tickets call 417-869-1334 and call 417-869-3869 to reach the theatre office.
