Marquee

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 are nearing the end of our 2000 Bulbs of Light Marquee Repair and Restoration Campaign.

We have surpassed our goal of $50,000.00 for this project!

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 August 24, 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 August 24th 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!

Click Here

SPECIAL THANKS to those who have contributed so far!

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

Scott Birman

Ruth Jean Horton Miller

Glenna Bryant

Jean Black

Gwendolyn Bogan

Sara Borton

Brian & Angella Boyd

Eileen Brady

Tom & D.D. Breckel

Gene & Sharon Breckel

Everett and Patricia Brewer

Andrew Brown

In Memory of Robert Brown

Dale & Jennie Brown

The Dale Brown Family

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

Donald Edgington

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

Eric and Katherine Freenan

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

Steve & Pat King

Rick Kneisel

Matthew & Laurie Krakowiak

Christine & Gerald Krisa

Timothy Larrick

Lance C. Leicht

Cristina & Doug Lewis

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

William L Settlemyre

The Skidmore Family

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

Marie & Bob Zitney

... and SPECIAL THANKS to our corporate sponsors!

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

limited bulbs remaining - get your bulb today!

Get your tickets to "Lighten up wilmington"

Check out some of The Murphy's signs through the years!

DID YOU KNOW? The original look of The Murphy Theatre had no marquee at all!

We are nearing the end of our 2000 Bulbs of Light Marquee Repair and Restoration Campaign.

SPECIAL THANKS to those who have contributed so far!

... and SPECIAL THANKS to our corporate sponsors!

limited bulbs remaining - get your bulb today!

Get your tickets to "Lighten up wilmington"

Check out some of The Murphy's signs through the years!

DID YOU KNOW? The original look of The Murphy Theatre had no marquee at all!

We are nearing the end of our 2000 Bulbs of Light Marquee Repair and Restoration Campaign.

SPECIAL THANKS to those who have contributed so far!

... and SPECIAL THANKS to our corporate sponsors!

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