Elvis made three appearances at the Robinson Memorial Auditorium in Little Rock, Arkansas: two 1955 shows and a single 1956 appearance, which marked his last "Natural State" concert appearance until 1972. The building, since renamed the Robinson Center (RC) in 1981, is still very much intact and largely appears the way it would have looked when Elvis played there over 50 years ago.
Situated in downtown Little Rock right on the Arkansas River, the RC was originally completed by the WPA in 1939. It does feature that so-often seen, massive almost over-built style of building familiar in WPA construction of the era. It projects a definite sense of permanence and stability, which I'm sure were two emotions that were fleeting in the days during the Great Depression.
It was named "Robinson Memorial Auditorium" in honor of Arkansas Senator Joseph T. Robinson. The RC is now a large convention center complex of its own and is attached to the spacious DoubleTree Hotel; it is on the west end of the Statehouse Plaza. In its current form, the RC has exhibit space, meeting rooms, and a performance theater.... which is the part we here are interested in, right?
The lobby mirrors the outside styling with the large vertical columns, and tile flooring is still in place and period-correct:
In the RH corner of the lobby, a plaque hangs in honor and memory of Senator Robinson and details some of his works.
The Music Hall (MH) is just off the lobby area, with controlled entrance doors:
The MH was a little spooky until the lights came up fully, I must admit.... I looked for any fleeting signs of our hero, but, alas, I saw nothing. Not one white buck shoe, no leather guitar case, nada. Zip.
The MH seats a total of 2,609 people in its current configuration: orchestra, mezzanine, and balcony sections. I do not know how this relates to the seating configuration in use when Elvis appeared, but I would surmise that the seating was similar.
Some views from the performance stage itself; in the second image you can clearly see some of the period architecture elements used in the wall stylings that carry through from the front lobby.
A look at the beautifully preserved original ceiling light fixtures:
A view of the stage area rigging; I was told that this is all new, but probably similar to what was used back then:
The onstage view of the orchestra pit.....
....and the view Elvis would have had of all those hollering Arkansans! This is center stage looking out:
There are some signs in the stage area of the age of the building. For instance, the period-looking brick work on the back wall with the radiator still in place:
There is one dressing room on the stage level over to the RH side of the floor:
While this room has obviously been remodeled, its layout harkens back to an earlier era.... note the "water closet" style bath facilities in the room itself.
The rest of the dressing rooms are below stage level, and the stairway down to them was a great look at the era of the building's construction. Unfortunately, they were quite steep and I thought it better to make it down safely than try to concentrate on getting an image of the narrow corridors. Sorry.
The dressing room level below the stage features three large dressing rooms that I observed, a green room, and several chorus halls.
Again, despite the modern amenities, it's not too hard to imagine Elvis perhaps using one of these rooms to prepare for his set on those evenings. I'm sure there was probably a steady stream of performers going up and down the narrow stairway as well.
Just a few steps from the lower dressing rooms and.... TaDa!
Back up into the orchestra pit.... the view of the audience:
and of center stage....
Back outside, some more views of the exterior and its styling elements....
The current vehicle side entry door:
And a view of the back entrance doors. I don't know if this is where performers came in during Elvis's day or not, but these doors are below stage level.
That about covers it, folks.
A huge thank you goes out to 1) Jennifer Scritchfield of the Little Rock Conventions and Visitors Bureau (LRCVB) who took me on this comprehensive tour of the Robinson Center.... and also 2) Carol Dolan of the LRCVB who helped set me up with Ms. Scritchfield. Without their assistance, this documentation trip would not have been possible.
Hopefully, we've seen at least a place or two that Elvis passed through when he was here in LR in the 1950s. What do you think?
For more info on the Robinson Center, visit : http://www.littlerockmeetings.com/conv-centers/robinson/
Enjoy!
