Ohio’s Lincoln Theatre Reopens

Nearly 40 years since closing, the Lincoln Theatre in Columbus has reopened following a $13.5 million facelift.

The refurbished theater, previously known as the Ogden Theatre and Ballroom, features seating for about 570 as well as updated lighting and sound and a second-floor ballroom.

It kicked off opening ceremonies May 21 and hosted a week of special performances starting May 28 with a sold-out tribute to Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra by director-in-residence Maurice Hines.

Also on the books are Bobby “Blue” Bland, opera singer Denyce Graves and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. The Lincoln Theatre is managed by the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts.

In its heyday, the 1928 theatre hosted such legends as Dizzy Gillespie, Sammy Davis Jr. and Etta James. It was a stand-alone movie house by the time of its closure in the early ’70s.