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The Murray Theater is an absolutely beautiful theater in Murray. Old theaters like this just seem to keep disappearing, but the city of Murray has realized that we the people like these kinds of things and they have stepped up to restore it to it’s former glory. I have been to several concerts here back in the aughts and teens, so this is a special place to me. I am happy to see that the city preserved it instead of tearing it down as seems to be the practice for most of Utah.
The city was doing a tree lighting ceremony today, which included an Open House of the theater. Honestly, I was more interested in the theater than the tree lighting, but hey, it brought us out, so lets have some fun!
Quick Details:
Length: Meh, not much.
Trail Type: Meander
Difficulty: Get out and see DR1, or explore a bit DR2, the lower section has stairs so DR3 for that.
Elevation Gain: NA
Restroom: Yes, there are flush toilets inside.
Dogs? No.
Other Info: Normally this is a venue which costs money, but today we caught a free open house.
To Get Here:
The theater is located in downtown Murray at 4961 State Street. Take i15 to 5300 South head east. Turn left on State Street. Find street parking or head towards Murray City Hall and see if you find a spot in one of the lots near it.
The theater from State Street (Passenger Seat Photography (PSP)).
The Adventure:
Downtown Murray.
The Murray Theater! I love whoever came up with the Have a Murray Christmas idea! It is absolutely perfect!
Closer.
So, one of the amazing things they did was restore the original sign.
2025 courtesy of Google maps.
2022 again using Google maps.
Here is what it looked like in 2014 when it was a small concert venue.
Closer.
Cute window display.
The other side.
I do not remember this little ticket booth. I wonder if they rebuilt it with the remodel. Well, playing with the historical data on google maps, it was there before, just slightly different.
A quick rundown of the buildings history, mostly from Wikipedia:
The theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1938 by Tony Duvall who also built what is now The Desert Star (formerly The Gem, and the Iris Theater) and his business partner Joseph L. Lawrence. It is one of the area’s best examples of the Art Moderne style. Original built to show first-run and second-run motion pictures. It has been extensively renovated and redesigned during it’s history.
The theater screened two of Hollywood’s first major color films: Gone With The Wind and The Wizard of Oz. It was air conditioned, unlike the Iris (now Desert Star) so the Iris would close, and people would go to the Murray instead..
It has changed hands several times. in 1964 Art M. Jolley purchased it from Fox-Intermountain Theaters. He sold it in 1981, then took it back in 1989. When he died, the family sold it to his son-in-law Steve Webb, who operated it as a second-run theater. in 1992 he enlarged the stage to accommodate live performances. It was closed suddenly in 1999. It was auctioned in 2000. in 2001 it was bought by Murray Unity Spiritual Center who remodeled it into a church of sorts. They vacated it in 2004. In 2006 it was remodeled again as a live entertainment and dancing venue with a pizza place built connected to the south. In 2007 it was renamed to the Murray Super Theater which hosted a variety of musical acts, cultural events, private parties and wrestling. They closed during the recession of 2007-09. in 2015 Murray City bought the theater and incorporated it into it’s Murray City Center District Redevelopment zone (so wait, who owned when I was seeing concerts there in the early 2010’s?). in 2018 Murray announced they were investing in significant renovations to become a film and performance venue. Unfortunately, there were significant delays. There were multiple “opening” dates between 2020 and 2025. There was hope it would open in time for the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, but they discovered water under the stage. It did not open until September 26th 2025 with the premier show being internationally acclaimed songstress and local Murray city native, Lauren Allred.
Inside. The first thing that struck me was this old clock with a wreath around it.
The lobby and concessions stand. They did a really good job restoring the neat old building. And of course it still has that new building smell!
From the old description, it sounds like they were quite true to the original design and color scheme.
I don’t remember what this little side room was. It was probably closed off so we couldn’t see it.
Concessions Stand again.
Old projector. And the men's room on the north side. The women's room is on the south side.
Into the auditorium. It is very, very different from how I remember it. The seating is definitely new.
Fancy new light fixture.
It is an absolutely gorgeous theater!
The stage.
Closer.
The auditorium again.
We got to go down below and back stage! Ahhh! Yay! I have never had the pleasure before.
Spooky.
The Green Room.
Dressing Room.
I wanted to mess with the lights, but Landis told me these are not buttons, just indicators.
I am a little mad at myself for not getting more pictures, but this is the orchestra pit, which can be raised or lowered depending on the type of show. Supported by pneumatic lifts that support up to 2 tons, and happens to weigh 2 tons as well. According to the guide.
Another random fact, as they were digging out the back area here, they came across a spring, and had to build a pump to pump it out. We failed to ask what they decided to do with that water. I did not know about the water they found under the stage in 2025, so I didn't know to ask if it was found during the renovation, or the original build but I am leaning towards the renovation.
The auditorium.
The stage.
Where the orchestra pit connects.
The stage.
The auditorium again. I swear there used to be a balcony and thought I was crazy for a minute, so I asked a worker and he confirmed there used to be a balcony, but it would not meet code so they opted not to rebuild it. Phew! I am not crazy! Well, I am, but not for that!
The new fancy seats. They are actually pretty dang comfortable.
I’m not sure what the side curtains are for, but, fancy.
The stage.
Heading up the aisle.
We found, what Landis said were the perfect seats, regarding audio in the small theater. Row G.
The projection windows.
Again.
The stairs up to the projection booth. It was closed off. We got to explore quite a bit of the neat building, but unfortunately not all of it. Still, way more than expected though!
The concessions stand again.
Neat light fixture.
Front doors.
Dedicated 2025 and the people who helped make that happen. Thank you Murray, and Murray citizens! This is a real treasure!
This side room appears to be dedicated to security.
The lobby again.
The old clock and wreath again. Some of the numbers have worn away, so it makes us wonder if maybe the clock is original to the building? But, just a total guess.
Ticket window.
Opposite window.
Ticket booth again.
The building again.
We finished our tour just as the shuttle bus showed up for the next tour. Yay, good timing.
Night shot from just a little bit later.
With cute snowflake decorations.
I was hoping that they would show the inside a little better, but I was more interested in the band, but hey, it was here!
It does show that they were no seats. And I think I am up on the balcony taking these shots, which is why I am above everybody.
And of course teens concert lighting.
It was an exceptional concert venue back in the day… I say that as if it was more than 11 years ago LOL.
Anyway, it is a really pretty theater and I am glad we got to explore it again, and I am really glad the city saved it instead of letting a developer destroy it for more gross condos. Go Murray! 10 out of 10 squirrels today!
As for difficulty, Drive by and see, or what is normally open to the public is flat and ADA accessible, the lower section (not normally open to the public) did have stairs.
Dogs are not allowed, so be sure to leave Fido home for this.
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