Cecil B. DeMille sent yearly telegrams wishing the theatre another successful season, calling it "one of the cradles of American drama."

[2] Inspired by Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, the first shows were vaudeville acts by accomplished local and national performers.

Its first season in 1897 opened with leading man James O'Neill, who had promised John that he would act in the new theatre when it was ready.

[4] The company became known for putting on ten plays in a ten-week summer season and attracting internationally known stars of the theatre and screen.

The company stopped operating as a traditional resident summer-stock, switching to single, star-packaged shows from New York.

[10] The original Elitch property was sold to Perry Rose LLC in 1996 with the conditions that the theatre and carousel shell never be demolished.

[12] Around the same time, the hand-painted decorative historic "Anne Hathaway" curtain, (oil on canvas: circa early 1900s), was removed from its original wooden bats and stored for construction work.

After years of neglect and severe water damage the curtain was rolled and stored in a backstage room at the theatre.

In 2018, the outdoor films and summer children's programming at the theater were cancelled due to $800,000 in damages caused by wind and a hail storm.

[15] In 2006, the Historic Elitch Gardens Theatre Foundation received $5 million in federal, state, and city funding, plus grants and private donations.

[19] With the completion of Phase 3 (2020-2021), restrooms were added, a new roof was put on, and various other upgrades were made, allowing for the theatre to gain permanent occupancy.

[21] By late 2023, the foundation had high hopes for its Phase 4 progress, expecting to offer live shows in summer 2024, albeit without full lighting, rigging and sound.

The plan is to reopen as a multimedia performing arts complex for the community offering education, film, live music, and theatre.

[citation needed] *** Brandon deWilde died in motor vehicle accident in Lakewood, Colorado, days after his final performance at the theatre.