In just a few short weeks, the lights of the Murray Theater marquee will shine once more along State Street, signaling not just the reopening of a beloved landmark, but the final act of a decade-long odyssey to restore one of the city’s cultural treasures. After years of planning, funding challenges, construction setbacks, and tireless preservation efforts, the newly renovated Murray Theater will reopen its doors to the public on Saturday, September 28, with a weekend of events designed to honor its past and celebrate its future.

But the road to this moment was anything but easy.

Originally built in 1938, the Murray Theater was a glamorous example of Art Moderne architecture, hosting films and live performances through the mid-20th century. Over the years, it passed through multiple private owners, eventually operating as a struggling concert venue before falling into disrepair by the early 2010s. Recognizing its historic and cultural value, Murray City purchased the building in 2015 for approximately $1.4 million with the intent to transform it into a vibrant, multi-use performing arts space.

Murray City Parks and Rec Director Kim Sorenson applies finishing touches to the Murray Theater.

The city quickly realized the challenge ahead.

Engineering assessments revealed that restoring the building to modern safety codes—while maintaining its 1930s character—would require significant investment. By 2018, Murray officials began applying for grants and exploring other funding options, including support from Salt Lake County’s Tourism, Recreation, Culture & Convention (TRCC) fund. The project received a critical boost with a $3.6 million TRCC grant, alongside more than $2 million in city capital improvement funds. But even with funding in place, the story was far from over.

In late 2024, Parks and Recreation Director Kim Sorenson addressed the City Council with sobering news about construction delays. “We found footing problems we didn’t anticipate,” Sorenson explained. “The entire back wall had to be removed, and it’s taken months just to get it structurally safe again. That delayed everything else.”

The discovery of severe foundation issues beneath the stage required crews to excavate 17 feet below ground, pour new footings, and completely rebuild the rear brick wall—a process that set the project back by more than seven months. Originally slated to open in early 2024, the timeline shifted several times, eventually landing in Fall 2025. “Extra time was needed to finish the project,” Sorenson said.

Murray City Parks and Rec Director Kim Sorenson stands at the restored snack bar at the Murray Theater (Shaun Delliskave/City Journals)

In response to the delays, Murray City successfully petitioned to extend the TRCC grant deadline from December 2024 to June 30, 2025, avoiding the risk of forfeiting the funding. The City Council also approved an additional $1.3 million for the project in September 2024 to cover rising costs.

Despite these challenges, Sorenson remained confident. “The City received a few small grants and other funding contributions totaling over $4 million,” he said in March 2024, expressing optimism that additional support would follow.

The theater’s transformation hasn’t just been structural—it’s also strategic. In early 2024, the city conducted a feasibility study to help shape programming plans for the space. “The feasibility study was suggested to understand the market demand for programming the Murray Theater,” Sorenson explained. The goal was to ensure the venue could balance community access with financially sustainable operations.

Among the changes implemented was the creation of a “preservation fee”—a small surcharge on tickets to help fund long-term maintenance. “All fees would be excluded for complimentary tickets, educational programming and free rehearsals,” Sorenson emphasized, adding that the Parks Advisory Board opted for modest fees of $1 for tickets under $15 and $2 for tickets over $15, well below the $4 maximum considered.

These steps, city officials say, are designed to ensure the theater remains viable long into the future. As Sorenson put it, the theater should “be accessible, viable and sustainable for the long term.”

And what will the public see when the curtain finally rises?

A new hydraulic stage lift was installed at the theater. (Shaun Delliskave/City Journals)

Architecturally, much of the theater’s historic charm has been meticulously preserved or recreated. The terrazzo entrance, recreated to match the original 1938 colors and materials, greets visitors with a tangible link to the past. Inside, guests will find tiered seating, restored architectural columns, and the original ceiling diffuser still functioning to circulate air. A newly built green room will now accommodate live performances, marking the theater’s transition from movie house to full-fledged performance venue. A hydraulic lift stage that can serve to expand the stage or feature as an orchestra pit has been installed.

Patrons will also notice a relic from the theater’s early days, a projector that has been housed in the Murray Museum. Residents can support the Murray Theater by purchasing naming rights to a seat, with their name—or the name of someone they wish to honor—permanently affixed to a seat in the auditorium.

The theater also boasts state-of-the-art audiovisual systems, making it suitable for concerts, plays, films, lectures, and community events. A replica of the original Murray Theater sign once again crowns the façade.

The celebration begins on Sept. 26, with a performance by Loren Allred, a former Murray resident best known for her vocals on The Greatest Showman's “Never Enough.” Tickets went on sale Aug. 1. The festivities continue Saturday with a public open house, guided tours, and special screenings of The Greatest Showman.

Then, in a symbolic gesture, the theater will re-screen its original 1938 opening features—Alexander’s Ragtime Band and Disney’s Mickey’s Hawaiian Holiday—on October 28, exactly 87 years after the theater first opened its doors.

Looking ahead, Murray City has also planned for improved access and parking. The city purchased adjacent properties for future parking expansion, and additional spaces will be available at the planned Arlington Tower development next door.

Sorenson echoed that sentiment with a mixture of relief and excitement: “We’re bringing it back to its full original glory—modernized but with all the soul of the old Murray Theater intact.”

Murray Theater ticketing and events can be found on showpass.com.