Billed as the largest vaudeville house in the country when it opened, the Orpheum became a major outlet for such entertainers as Jack Benny, George Burns, and Fanny Brice.

[8] The nearby State Theatre had been renovated and reopened in 1991, but the Orpheum had a deeper stage that would allow larger sets needed for shows such as Miss Saigon, which was scheduled to open on January 14, 1994.

The city agreed to finance the renovation, issuing bonds to be paid back with a $2 surcharge on tickets for the Orpheum and State.

Unexpected architectural discoveries were made during the lobby renovation, including six Pompeiian friezes previously hidden under velour curtains, fake window grids, and a false wall.

Following a $10 million restoration, the Orpheum re-opened in December 1993 with a concert by Heart and in January 1994 with the Broadway production of Miss Saigon.