These are exciting times at The Murphy Theatre.
The Murphy Theatre is enjoying back-to-back-to-back record-breaking membership, growing audience numbers, a wider variety of entertainment offerings, Grammy and Emmy Award winning talent, national acts, winners from America’s Got Talent, members of The Grand Ole Opry, singers featured on A Prairie Home Companion, and a magician who actually fooled Penn and Teller on their show, Fool Us, and more. Add to all that, increased participation from our local businesses, the city, county, even the state; all in the spirit of cooperation, to keep this landmark in the center of a historic downtown alive and well.
We have a 73-year old marquee, the fourth marquee in the life of The Murphy Theatre, and the sign that has lasted the longest by far. Sadly though, as of 2023, it had seen better days. The harsh winters and exposure to other elements brought us to the point of much needed repairs. We could no longer kick this can down the road, and a simple coat of paint wasn’t going to do the trick.
There was a choice. Do we dare take the easy route and simply tear this marquee down and replace it, like others have in the past, or, do we repair this iconic structure, and keep it as true to its current look as much as we possibly can, returning all its bells and whistles while enhancing its functionality to meet the demands of the 21st Century?
We chose the latter, and wow, what a difference a little extra attention can make!
One can only imagine the emotions from the locals when learning back in the day about the decision to simply replace their marquee, instead of repairing it. When you do the math, the other three marquees must have had an average life span of right around ten years. And this one is 73! You could easily argue the need to simply replace this one rather than repair it.
We chose to do the latter of those two options, and restore this historic landmark. One of the many challenges in this effort was finding all the replacement parts. Through our extensive research and in consultation with sign experts near and far, we learned that some of the malfunctioning parts on our sign were simply no longer available, and some of the technology to make the lights function as they once did was obsolete.
So, we presented our repair and restoration outline to the Wilmington Planning Commission, answered all of their questions, and were unanimously approved to move forward with our project.
In June of 2023, we launched 2000 Bulbs of Light. Along with our partnership with Merchants National Bank, 2000 Bulbs of Light is our Marquee Repair and Restoration Fundraising Campaign.
We have almost reached our goal of $50,000.00 for this project.
To date, we sit at $48,000.00 raised.
This fundraising campaign has no government dollars attached to it. Instead, we went directly to you, our generous patrons, those who have been supporting us by attending our shows and taking out Murphy Theatre Memberships
If you are just now learning about this, there still is time for you to own a piece of Murphy Theatre history. For your contribution of $105, the age of The Murphy Theatre, we will present you with one of the old bulbs from our 73-year old marquee. But you only have until May 25, the last day of our campaign.
Any amount you wish to donate is greatly appreciated, and light bulb quantities received will be issued in correlation with that amount.
Ex. Donation of $105 = 1 Light bulb
$210 = 2 Light bulbs
$315 = 3 Light bulbs
$420 = 4 Light bulbs, up to 10 bulbs at a time.
In addition to your marquee bulb presented in a clear cylindrical collector’s container and packed in shredded Murphy programs, we will also include your name in our concert programs through the remainder of 2024. And on May 25th you and a friend will be our guest at a special night of comedy we’re calling Lighten Up Wilmington.
Just call us (937) 382-3643, or stop by the theatre Wednesday through Friday from 11:00-6:00, or visit our box office before or after our shows, and we can take care of you then. Thank you in advance for your continued support.
Bulbs are now ready for pickup! If you are unable to stop by the theatre to pick up your bulb, please add $20 to your contribution for shipping and special handling.
OWN A PIECE OF MURPHY HISTORY — CONTRIBUTE TODAY!
On-site work began on Monday, July 31 and was completed on January 31, 2024.
See above image - our marquee restoration is complete!
OUR GOAL IS TO MAINTAIN THE LOOK OF THIS
HISTORIC LANDMARK!
The marquee is not larger, and the “blade” (that very cool vertical center piece that says “MURPHY”) was not taken down and shipped away to be worked on as is the case with most theatre signs similar to ours. Our marquee was repaired and restored, on site, by a local company.
The original bells and whistles of the sign are now restored — some of which many Wilmington residents may have never seen functioning in their prime!
With the energy-saving tweaks we are making to the sign, The Murphy Theatre will save thousands of dollars on utility costs alone annually.
The message panel that was previously changed manually on a near-daily basis was updated to a digital panel. It has the same look as the previous panel, but is cleaner, still with the lines going across the panels, and the letters the same size as previously used, only we are now able to change this sign from a laptop, smartphone, or iPad
The message panel that was previously changed manually on a near-daily basis was updated to a digital panel. It has the same look as the previous panel, but is cleaner, still with the lines going across the panels, and the letters the same size as previously used, only we are now able to change this sign from a laptop, smartphone, or iPad. The panel on the other side remains as is, but was taken down, cleaned, and restored, giving us the option to still place marquee letters by hand if needed.
In compliance with city code, there will be NO flashing graphics, NO scrolling, and NO brightly colored changing images!
The lumens emanating from the panels are able to be dimmed for later in the evening, something we previously could not control.
Thank you for your support of our 2000 Bulbs of Light Campaign, and thank you to those who have already made their donation!
Mike & Alyssa Alden
Anonymous
Teri & Ed Camp
Lori A. Burton-Cluxton
Connie & Rick Adams
Dale & Lynne Adkins
Michael Anderson
George and Colleen Bailey
Kemper Ezekiel Bailey
John Dehan
Mary Banner
Andrea Barga
Will and Donna Barnhart
Bruce and Abbie Beam
Mallory and John Behan
Alison Belfrage
Eric Belfrage
The Bellamy Family
Marsha Bennett
T. Alex & Jamie Beres
Ruth Jean Horton Miller
Glenna Bryant
Jean Black
Gwendolyn Bogan
Sara Borton
Brian & Angella Boyd
Eileen Brady
Tom & D.D. Breckel
Gene & Sharon Breckel
Andrew Brown
In Memory of Robert Brown
Dale & Jennie Brown
Julie Butcher
Rob Butcher
Cindy Camp
Neil and Veronica Campbell
Ron & Regina Carey
Jeremy & Toni Carter
Rick and Shanna Cheney
Kent & Debra Clark
Krystal Cleaver
Craig & Belinda Cook
Rhonda Crum
Susannah Davids
xJake Dehart & Dr. Audrey Wagstaff, Jack & Maura
Bret Dixon
Jeff and Marina Dodaro
David J Douglas
Lisa Elcok
Alexander C. Ervin
Ruth Ann Faris
Paul & Colleen Fear
Pat & Candy Fenner
KC & Cathy Fox
Carole France
Alan and Sandy Fuller
Jerry & Amie Gallaugher
Charles and Karen Manor Garman
Jack and Charlotte Gasaway
Luke G's HS graduation
Alan Gibson
Dave Gilkerson Family
Steve & Linda Glazewski
Jim and Sherrill Graham
Jennifer Gress
Greg & Jennifer Grove
Stephen Sawzin and Dorothy Gurtzweiler
John Haberfield
Aldon & Carol Haines
Lisa & Victor Haines
Matt Hamilton
Charlie & Rachel Hargrave
The Harkins Family
Jim & Susie Heimbach
Bruce F. & Dorothy J. Henry
Sylvia & Merle Henry
Delores Hively & Ben Luschek
Dr John & Jennifer Hollon
James and Brenda Brackman
Roger & Lana Hughes
Paula Haines
Cheri & Dan Hunter
Jacob Ingersoll
Erin & Lj Jellsion
Judy Johnston
Laura Joppru
John & Carol Joy
Joyce & Sam Kaeser
Joyce Kelly
Nina Kersey / Blane Saunders
Quintin & Robyn Koger Kidd
Rick Kneisel
Matthew & Laurie Krakowiak
Christine & Gerald Krisa
Timothy Larrick
Lance C. Leicht
Barbara Bernard Loudenslager
Alice & John Lundblad
Don and Cindy Maher
Edie Marshall
Amanda Martin
Tammy Maynard
Daniel McCamish
Zach McCune
Darrell & Jennifer McIntosh
Dr. Chad and Amanda McKay
Rod & Nancy McKay
The Meyers Family
Mark & Rita Miars
Joe and Laura Moore
Randy and Pamela Moore
Pat Moorman
Rick and Steph Moreton
Jason & Margaret Morgan
John Murphy
Kyle Murphy
Laura Brown
Gregory Oliver
Sharon A. Oliver
Gary Page
Kathryn Palmer & Dennis Hill
Dustin Pearce
Butch & Dollie Peelle
Jor and Cindy Petrich
In Memory of Nancy Philp
Leilani and Tom Popp
Kathy Powell
David & Mary Ann Raizk
Rick Reany
Todd & Marnie Reed
David & Laura Reinsmith
Brad & Darcy Reynolds
Diana Rhinehart
Jim & Barbara Rhinehart
David & Suzie Rice
Jill & Terry Richard
Mary Beth & Josh Rollins
Judith Sargent
Bruce and Fayanne Saunders
Catherine & Michael Shanahan
Jeff & Janell Smart
Brian & Elizabeth Smith
Matthew Smith
Tanya Day, Jordan, Mackenzie, Griffin, and Jillian Snarr
Aunt Charlotte
Aunt Dutch
Gene and Christine Snyder
Jeff & Jen Sommer
Joe Spicer
Bill & Loretta Stackhouse
John & Nancy Stanforth
Terri Stauffer
Dan and Marla Stewart
May Gerchack & Dave Stewart
Mary Stewart & Family
Bob & Phyllis Storer
Samuel Stratman
Taylor Stuckert
Jenny Rocheleau & Jo Sullivan
Phil Swindler
Jim Teufel & Carolyn Baldridge
Jason Thackston
Thirey Family
Pat & Terry Thompson
Doug and Melinda Tilton
Dina & Kirby Tolliver
Mason Schaffer
Vicki Trapp
Marsha E. Wagstaff
Priscilla Wahrhaftig
Tom & Jennifer Walker
Sally & Stephen Buchanan
Richard W. Kolmin
Angela Thompson
Jay Walraven
Charles Watts
Harry B. Weirich
Bill & Tina Wells
Wendland Family
Jay & Karen Williams
Mark & Lori Williams
Randy and Shelly Williamson
Carol Yegerlehner
The York Family
Air Transport Services Group
American Equipment Service
Amicitia Club of Blanchester
The Banned Book Nook and Other Curiosities
Brown Funeral Home
Carrie Zeigler State Farm Insurance Agency
Champion Bridge
Clinton County Motorsports
Collett Propane
Dairy Queen Grill & Chill (Rombach Ave.)
The Fancy Free Cloggers
The General Denver Hotel
Hitachi Astemo Americas Charity Golf Outing
Image Solutions
Kava House
Kruger and Hodges Attorneys at Law
Orange Frazer Press
Peelle McCoy Wilkin & Moyer Law Offices Co., L.P.A.
People's Bank
Wilmington Auto Center Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Wilmington Dental Arts
Wilmington Hope House
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937-382-3643 boxoffice@themurphytheatre.org
Did you remember to Re-Member?
If you’re not a Murphy Member yet, then what are you waiting for?
This year we have all sorts of cool goodies to go along with your membership, including shirts, window clings, and free admission to all of our movies!