Alley Theater
For 60 years, the spirit of the Alley Theatre has enriched the cultural life of Houstonians. And, for 38 years, that spirit has made its home in the white, multi-turreted building at 615 Texas. Dedicated on October 13, 1968, this distinctive building fulfilled the dream of a permanent home for the then nearly 22-year-old theatre company, and the design proved an immediate magnet for comments from friends and critics alike.
Some locals deplored its turrets as “anti-aircraft emplacements,” but Fortune magazine praised the building’s flexibility. While some quietly worried over the limitations on staging imposed by the architecture, supporters found it “distinctive” and pointed to the ingenious planning that placed the plumbing, elevators, and heating and air conditioning equipment in the four corner towers.
To celebrate the new theater building, both Houston newspapers (yes, there were two then) produced special sections on the day of the first performance in the new theater. Mayor Louie Welch proclaimed it “Alley Theatre Week,” and veterans of Houston’s theatre scene remarked that the spectacular opening night was a far cry from the Alley’s first performance on November 28, 1947 in a local dance studio.