Highlands' Garden Village

Elitch's Historic Theater and Carousel

At the heart of Highlands' Garden Village sits the historic 110-year old Elitch Theater. The Historic Elitch Gardens Theater Foundation, a non-profit organization, was formed in 2001 to begin fund-raising to restore and maintain the theater, the Carousel Pavilion and the Theater Plaza. The Elitch Gardens Theater, built in 1890, has been described as "one of the cradles of American drama." The stage has hosted such stars as Grace Kelly, Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., Cybil Shepard, Vincent Price and many more. Years later, the theater was listed on the national Register of Historic Places in 1978 and locally landmarked by the City of Denver in 1995. In 1990 a 100-year anniversary production was held, the last performance given on stage. The theater currently sits empty awaiting its renovation and return to glory.
The Carousel Pavilion is the stunningly renovated "house" of the 1925 carousel. Its dramatic structure has been restored with a beautiful labyrinth floor. The Carousel Pavilion is the site of a range of events such as weddings, chamber music, a farmer¹s market and fair, jazz concerts and just quiet relaxation. The 5,200-square-foot venue is the first successfully completed component of the Foundation's Comprehensive Campaign to restore the historic elements of the former Elitche¹s amusement park. The Theater Plaza is a 15,000 square foot outdoor performing and assembly place, which elegantly slope to the main entrance of the Theater. Attractively and environmentaly landscaped and framed by a tree-planted landscape dotted with Victorian lamp posts, The Plaza is used for corporate and community functions, afternoon music performances, film screenings, weddings, and other community-centered events. For more information on the Historic Elitch Gardens Theatre, our summer programming, renting a facility or how you can help bring back to life America's oldest summer stock theatre, call 303-623-0216, e-mail us at events@historicelitchtheatre.org or visit our website at www.historicelitchtheatre.org