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Keller Auditorium
Oregon Arts Watch
The Keller Auditorium is Portland’s oldest and largest publicly owned theater building. Seating more than 3,000 (depending on the stage configuration), it hosts Broadway touring shows, opera, ballet and more. The Keller occupies a downtown city block across the street from the renowned Keller Fountain.
History of Keller Auditorium
Keller Auditorium opened on July 4, 1917, as the Public Auditorium, serving both as a concert and events venue and the home of the Oregon Historical Society. Much larger in its early days — when its seating capacity was more than 5,000 — the auditorium proved its versatility the very next year when it became a hospital and morgue for victims of the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic.
In the mid-1960s the auditorium and the neighborhood around it were redeveloped, and in 1968 the new theater, Civic Auditorium, instantly became central to the Portland performing arts scene. The new space hosted touring shows, the Oregon Symphony and Portland Opera, and many other performances that required its spacious auditorium, sharp acoustics and advanced stage technology. Since then, the Keller has received several more renovations to keep it up-to-date. After an extensive one in 2000, it was renamed to honor benefactor Richard Keller. Today it remains a very practical and versatile performance space.
Performing Arts in Portland
Dance in Portland
Portland dance has an inventive spirit that welcomes collaborations and often spills beyond the generally accepted boundaries of “dance.”
Classical Music in Portland
Classical music in Portland isn't just the classics. Classical musicians offer new and innovative works, and an ongoing lineup of inspiring performances, from timeless works to modern interpretations.
Portland Theater
Portland has a well-established network of venues and theater companies and an increasingly dynamic and diverse small theater scene.
Resident Companies at Keller Auditorium
Broadway in Portland
One of the most frequent entries on the Keller calendar is the Broadway in Portland series. The Keller’s huge stage and vast orchestra section make it a perfect home for touring Broadway spectacles, from “Wicked!” to “Fiddler on the Roof” to the various Disney extravaganzas. No compromises are necessary in the transfer from Broadway to the Rose City.
Tickets $50-$250. Details are subject to change; please check Broadway in Portland’s Website for current information.
Oregon Ballet Theatre
Portland’s largest dance company is Oregon Ballet Theatre, and its version of “The Nutcracker” dominates the Keller every December. The company offers a full range of ballets, including edgy contemporary choreographers to traditional story ballets requiring demanding classical ballet chops and characterization. Oregon Ballet Theatre also performs in the smaller Newmark Theatre.
Tickets $25-$110. Details are subject to change; please check OBT’s Website for current information.
Portland Opera
Founded in 1964, the Portland Opera is best known for finding the best up-and-coming singers to sing the great roles in classic operas (Verdi, Mozart, Puccini). In recent years, the company has experimented with much more modern fare. The Opera Chorus is a community institution and the stage design in the Keller can border on the spectacular. The company also uses the Newmark Theatre and their HQ near OMSI for more intimate programs.
Tickets $30-$250. Details are subject to change; please check Portland Opera’s Website for current information.
Know Before You Go
For the 2022-23 season, all ticket holders, regardless of age, are required to show proof of full COVID vaccination or a negative test result from a COVID PCR test (taken within 72 hours of performance time) for entry into the theater. Visit the Portland Opera website for more information.
In addition, all patrons, regardless of age, test results and vaccination status, are required to wear masks inside the theatre at all times (except when consuming food or beverages).
Other Frequent Events at Keller Auditorium
Since the 1960s the Keller has hosted its share of rock ’n’ roll shows and still features stops from artists like Iggy Pop, Iron & Wine and David Byrne. Two holiday favorites, The Hip-Hop Nutcracker with MC Kurtis Blow and Portland’s Singing Christmas Tree, pop up each winter. And the auditorium also hosts lectures presented by the World Affairs Council of Oregon and Literary Arts.
At Keller Auditorium
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker
A treasured holiday tradition continues as Oregon Ballet Theatre returns George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® to the Keller Auditorium. Brave toy soldiers battle mischievous mice, snowflakes dance, and we are carried away to a magical Land of Sweets, all to Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score! This year, make Oregon Ballet Theatre’s production of Balanchine’s Nutcracker a part of…
Brett Goldstein
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The Lion King
Giraffes strut. Birds swoop. Gazelles leap. The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before. And as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist. Over 100 million people worldwide have experienced the awe-inspiring visual artistry, the unforgettable music, and the uniquely theatrical storytelling of this Broadway spectacular — one of the most…
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE
The grr-ific musical for little tigers and grown-ups alike is back! The hugely popular Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE!, based on the #1 PBS KIDS TV and Emmy Award-winning series that has delighted live audiences on stages nationwide, is back. Daniel Tiger and all of his friends are hopping back on board Trolley and coming to…
Peter Pan
Throw open the window and escape to Neverland with Wendy, John, Michael, and the one and only wild child, Peter Pan. Trey McIntyre’s highly praised take on the boy who refused to grow up is a playful and thrilling interpretation of J.M. Barrie’s 1911 novella that juxtaposes childhood whimsy with the weighty responsibilities of adulthood….
Beetlejuice
It’s showtime. Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, this hilarious musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. With an irreverent book, an astonishing set, and a score that’s out of…
Puccini: In Concert
One hundred years after he died in 1924, we celebrate a one-night-only concert featuring Giacomo Puccini’s enduring compositions. Experience the drama and passion of these cultural touchstones, brought to life by an exciting ensemble of featured guest artists. Treat yourself, get fancy with friends, and enjoy a brilliant night out. We’ll cherish the iconic music…
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