Lyric Theatre

The Lyric Theatre is an entertainment venue in Kansas City featuring Italian Renaissance-style architecture along Central Avenue. The building houses a large auditorium with modern performance facilities designed to host opera companies and symphony orchestras.

The building opened in 1926 as a Masonic temple and later served the Red Cross as a blood donation center during World War II. It gradually transformed into a cinema and eventually became a classical music performance venue.

The venue holds significance as a gathering place where the community has enjoyed different forms of entertainment over the decades. Its walls have welcomed opera singers, orchestra musicians, and film audiences, making it a cultural focal point for the city.

The venue is located at 1029 Central Avenue and remains easily accessible from downtown Kansas City. Visitors should note that while the exterior preserves its original character, the interior has been updated with modern facilities and should check online for current event schedules.

The building operated under several different names including Playhouse, Victoria, and Capri across its history. Each name change reflected a shift in how the space was used and what kind of audiences it served at different times.

Location: Kansas City

Capacity: 3000

Address: 1029 Central Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64105

GPS coordinates: 39.10130,-94.58650

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:46