Bravoh: 140 Years of the Lexington Opera House

Lexington, KY (December 8, 2025) – The Opera House Fund, the philanthropic organization that championed the restoration and reopening of the historic theater in 1976, is proud to present BRAVOH!, a grand celebration of The Lexington Opera House’s 140th birthday and the 50th anniversary of its renovation. Throughout a week of highly anticipated tributes and performances, BRAVOH! honors not only the building’s storied past but also its legacy of artistic excellence and community outreach.

Since its opening in 1887, The Lexington Opera House has been a Lexington cultural landmark—a gathering place for music, theater, dance, and civic life. Over 140 years, it has welcomed touring artists, nurtured local talent, and hosted countless community performances, becoming a beloved centerpiece of downtown Lexington.

To mark this occasion, BRAVOH! will present three special events to highlight the mission of the Opera House Fund over the past five decades.

This 140th anniversary coincides with a celebration of the Opera House Fund, Inc., a not-for-profit organization founded in 1974 to save the theatre from demolition, make it part of the Lexington Center Corporation and to support the local performing arts community. For the past 50 years, the Fund has played a vital role in subsidizing local performing arts groups, enabling those organizations to mount productions on this historic stage. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the Opera House Fund has provided philanthropic support to improve and enhance the building, present professional touring artists (via its Broadway Live and Variety Live series), and preserve the Opera House for future generations.

This dual anniversary — of both The Lexington Opera House itself and its supporting Fund — underscores the power of community investment in the arts and the ongoing partnership with the Lexington Center Corporation that sustains our shared cultural legacy.

Built in the late 19th century, The Lexington Opera House is a gem of period architecture, with a proscenium arch and elegant detailing. Over the decades, restoration work has helped preserve its architectural integrity.

Looking ahead, the Opera House Fund and its supporters are committed to enhancing accessibility, expanding community engagement, supporting emerging artists, and investing in technology, so the venue continues to thrive for another 140 years.

Everyone is invited to join this landmark celebration. Whether attending the Bernadette Peters concert, the Lexington Philharmonic concert or the Local Arts Showcase, you’ll take part in honoring a shared heritage. For tickets, event schedules, and ways to support the Opera House Fund, please visit our website or contact the box office, (859) 233-3535.

“Reaching 140 years is truly a community achievement — it speaks to the enduring power of the arts to bring people together,” said Linda Carey, founding member of the Opera House Fund. “And as we celebrate the Opera House Fund’s legacy, we recognize that philanthropy and passion have made this milestone possible. Our future is as bright as our past.”