Curtain up: Behind the scenes at Sioux City historic Orpheum theatre

"Bet you've never seen the theater from this perspective," said Mahaney, a lighting technician, standing on a shaky catwalk surrounding the dome above the historical theater's ceiling.

"It's awesome."

If a light bulb goes out on any of the theater's 238 fixtures, Mahaney has been the Orpheum's go-to guy for more than a decade.

"In fact, I see quite a few lights out right now," he said, glancing at the Orpheum's 1-ton grand chandelier.

"Joe is all about the details," said Deb Lang, the theater's director of development and events. "He knows about every chandelier and he knows about the colorful history of the Orpheum."

That's good to know since the 528 Pierce St. theater has a colorful history going back to the days of vaudeville and silent movies.

A theater grand enough for the 'Great Profile'

Constructed in 1927, the Sioux City Orpheum Theatre was developed by local businessman Arthur Sanford. The largest theater in the state of Iowa at the time, the Orpheum was considered a risky venture. The initial construction cost was approximately $1.75 million.

Still, the opulent theater -- boasting a 2,690-seat, six-story auditorium complete with a Wurlitzer pipe organ, half-circle boxes, hand-carved detailing, gilded ornamentation and a hand-painted ceiling -- made for a breathtaking sight.

In addition to being the place where Sioux Cityans could see the latest Buster Keaton feature, they also were wowed by performers like Fred Astaire, Katherine Hepburn and John Barrymore (aka "The Great Profile") on the Orpheum stage.

"Check out the eyes," Mahaney said, pointing to a framed photo of Barrymore in the theater's patrons lounge. "If you look only at John Barrymore's eyes, they're the same as his (actress) granddaughter Drew Barrymore."

Once vaudeville died, the Orpheum became simply a motion picture theater.

Eventually, it was remodeled and turned into a one-story movie house. Fluorescent lights were added and a projection booth was moved into the mezzanine balcony.

When the Orpheum Theatre was split into two theaters in the 1980s, the entire box section of the balcony was removed along with the half-circle boxes.

Even the chandeliers and the architectural detailing was covered over false ceilings.

"You know, those beautiful chandeliers?" Mahaney asked, shaking his head. "They were considered too old-fashioned."

That is, until 1989, when the Orpheum Theatre Preservation Project, LTD, was established as a way to raise funds to renovate it back to its former grandeur.

A grand revival

It took more than a decade -- as well as $15 million raised through grants, foundations and private donations -- but the Orpheum was restored.

Some of the surviving chandeliers were restored while others were replaced. Likewise, the half-circle boxes, terrazzo baseboard, mahogany handrails and original drapes and fabric wall coverings made a long-awaited curtain.

On Sept. 15, 2001, the Orpheum had its grand reopening.

Variety and intimacy the keys to Orpheum's success

Lang said well-known performers, Broadway shows and the Sioux City Symphony call the Orpheum home.

"Many performers prefer the Orpheum over the Tyson Events Center because it is a more intimate setting," she said.

That's also why the theater has been used for graduation ceremonies, holiday programs and other types of events.

However, no visit to the Orpheum would be complete without a tour of its colorful backstage "Hall of Fame."

'Sign' of the times

Two backstage walls are dedicated to hundreds of autographs, doodles and messages from people who've stepped foot on the Orpheum stage.

"We had 'Jersey Boys: The Musical' sign the name," Mahaney said, "but we also had the original Jersey Boy (Four Seasons' lead singer Frankie Valli) lend us his autograph when he played here."

Mahaney said many of his favorite performers have signed the wall of fame.

"There's (blues guitarist) Joe Bonnamassa, The Righteous Brothers, Willie Nelson," he said, pointing out his faves. "They were all cool."

However, many politicos have also signed the wall. That includes President Barack Obama, whose signature is secured under Plexiglass.

In addition, Bernie Sanders, Ben Carson and Donald Trump have also added their John Hancocks to the Orpheum wall.

"We like it when people limit their signature to one brick," Mahaney said. "Somehow, Trump used 12 bricks."

Walking behind the velvet rope at the top of the Orpheum's grand staircase, Lang can't help but feel like the belle of the ball.

"So many people have memories of the Orpheum," she said. "We're happy to see the Orpheum have a colorful future for many years to come."