The House of Tomorrow: The history of Casa Mañana

Casa Mañana advertisement from 1961, which includes an illustration of the venue. (Photo: From the KXAS-NBC 5 News Collection and provided by the UNT Libraries Special Collections to the UNT Digital Library, a digital repository hosted by the UNT Libraries)

Casa Mañana advertisement from 1961, which includes an illustration of the venue. (Photo: From the KXAS-NBC 5 News Collection and provided by the UNT Libraries Special Collections to the UNT Digital Library, a digital repository hosted by the UNT Libraries)

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Aerial view of Casa Mañana's open-air outdoor stage on the Frontier Fiesta Grounds, from the rear of the structure along present-day University Drive, circa 1936. (Photo: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

Aerial view of Casa Mañana's open-air outdoor stage on the Frontier Fiesta Grounds, from the rear of the structure along present-day University Drive, circa 1936. (Photo: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

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Children's Playhouse production of

Children's Theatre production of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," always a well-attended holiday favorite. (Photo: Casa Mañana)

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Aerial shot of Casa Mañana, Will Rogers Coliseum, Farrington Field and surrounding area looking northeast, Feb. 22, 1961. (Photo: W.D. Smith Commercial Photography Inc. Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

Aerial shot of Casa Mañana, Will Rogers Coliseum, Farrington Field and surrounding area looking northeast, Feb. 22, 1961. (Photo: W.D. Smith Commercial Photography Inc. Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

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Singers in

Singers in "Winter Wonderland," the closing act of the fourth season at Casa Mañana. From an album titled “Casa Mañana of 1939, New York World's Fair of 1939.” (Photo: Fort Worth History Center Archives)

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A foreman watches as construction workers add more sections to Casa Mañana's aluminum dome. Work on the dome was expected to end within four days, after which a helicopter was set to place a ventilator on top. (Photo: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

A foreman watches as construction workers add more sections to Casa Mañana's aluminum dome. Work on the dome was expected to end within four days, after which a helicopter was set to place a ventilator on top. (Photo: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

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Casa Mañana aerial view in 1958. (Photo: W.D. Smith Commercial Photography Inc. Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

Casa Mañana aerial view in 1958. (Photo: W.D. Smith Commercial Photography Inc. Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

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“Call Me Madam” lead actress Betty O'Neill standing in Casa's parking lot. (Photo: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

“Call Me Madam” lead actress Betty O'Neill standing in Casa's parking lot. (Photo: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

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Casa Mañana aerial view in the 1970s. (Photo: From the KXAS-NBC 5 News Collection and provided by the UNT Libraries Special Collections to the UNT Digital Library, a digital repository hosted by the UNT Libraries)

Casa Mañana aerial view in the 1970s. (Photo: From the KXAS-NBC 5 News Collection and provided by the UNT Libraries Special Collections to the UNT Digital Library, a digital repository hosted by the UNT Libraries)

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Henry Michel, left, and Frances Wyatt inspect the newly opened theater on July 14, 1958, during rehearsals for Rodgers and Hammerstein's

Henry Michel, left, and Frances Wyatt inspect the newly opened theater on July 14, 1958, during rehearsals for Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Carousel," Casa’s second show following its debut. (Photo: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

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Casa Mañana exterior shot showing the dome, July 8, 1958. (Photo: W.D. Smith Commercial Photography Inc. Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

Casa Mañana exterior shot showing the dome, July 8, 1958. (Photo: W.D. Smith Commercial Photography Inc. Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

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Construction workers

Construction workers "tie down" the giant aluminum dome on May 9, 1958, before beginning the groundwork for the auditorium. Will Rogers Memorial Tower is in the left background. (Photo: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

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Another photo from the Children's Playhouse production of

Another photo from the Children's Theatre production of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." (Photo: Casa Mañana)

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Front of Casa Mañana during the Fort Worth Frontier Fiesta, March 30, 1937. (Photo: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

Front of Casa Mañana during the Fort Worth Frontier Fiesta, March 30, 1937. (Photo: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

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Framework of Casa Mañana with Pioneer Palace in the background, July 10, 1956. (Photo: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

Framework of Casa Mañana with Pioneer Palace in the background, July 10, 1956. (Photo: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

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Program for Casa Mañana’s production of

Program for Casa Mañana’s production of "Hello, Dolly!" starring Fort Worth favorite Ruta Lee and George Blackwell, May 24-June 12, 1971. (Photo: Fort Worth History Center Archives)

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A large crowd, reporters, cameramen with tripods and a WBAP-TV truck at the 1969 world premiere of “Hello, Sucker,

A large crowd, reporters, cameramen with tripods and a WBAP-TV truck at the 1969 world premiere of “Hello, Sucker," starring Ruta Lee. (Photo: From the KXAS-NBC 5 News Collection and provided by the UNT Libraries Special Collections to the UNT Digital Library, a digital repository hosted by the UNT Libraries)

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Theater in the round: The iconic aluminum geodesic dome ceiling overlooks the central stage in this 1958 photo. (Photo:

Theater in the round: The iconic aluminum geodesic dome ceiling overlooks the central stage in this 1958 photo. (Photo:

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Sharon Benge, Casa Mañana executive director, with two of her children, Barrett and Brook, Feb. 17, 1977. They were prepping for the Casa Mañana Playhouse production of

Sharon Benge, Casa Mañana executive director, with two of her children, Barrett and Brook, Feb. 17, 1977. They were prepping for the Casa Mañana Playhouse production of "Our Town." (Photo: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

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Melvin Dacus performs in

Melvin Dacus performs in "Student Prince" in 1959. Dacus was a Fort Worth actor who performed in many productions at Casa Mañana, helping bring early shows to life on its stage. He was also a visionary Fort Worth arts leader who played a key role in Casa’s growth and legacy as a premier regional theater. (Photo: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

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Casa Mañana musical director William Bear, left, welcomes the stars of

Casa Mañana musical director William Bear, left, welcomes the stars of "Oklahoma," Joan Hovis and James Hurst, Jan. 20, 1959. (Photo: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

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Casa Mañana at dusk. (Photo: Visit Fort Worth)

Casa Mañana at dusk. (Photo: Visit Fort Worth)

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De Angelo and Porter, the dance team, on the Casa stage, July 1939. (Photo: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

De Angelo and Porter, the dance team, on the Casa stage, July 1939. (Photo: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

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Premiere-goers filled Fort Worth's glittering new music hall for the first time for the opening-night performance of

Premiere-goers filled Fort Worth's glittering new music hall for the first time for the opening-night performance of "Can-Can," July 4, 1958. Standing on the circular stage, Mayor McCann introduced celebrities and patrons to the audience as part of the opening ceremonies. (Photo: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

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The

The "Wizard of Oz" cast performs at Casa Mañana in 1961. (Photo: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

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St. John Terrell, right, who produced the first musical comedy-in-the-round, inspects the latest in stage lighting equipment. Melvin Dacus points out the various bells and whistles. (Photo: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

St. John Terrell, right, who produced the first musical comedy-in-the-round, inspects the latest in stage lighting equipment. Melvin Dacus points out the various bells and whistles. (Photo: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

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Composite of 11 Casa Mañana stage views, circa 1936, captured by Lee Angle Photography. (Photo: Original image part of the William E. Jary Jr. Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

Composite of 11 Casa Mañana stage views, circa 1936, captured by Lee Angle Photography. (Photo: Original image part of the William E. Jary Jr. Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries)

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Postcard of the second Casa Mañana theater, circa 1976. Pioneer Tower, also built for the 1936 Texas Centennial Celebration, is in the background. (Photo: Portal to Texas History)

Postcard of the second Casa Mañana theater, circa 1976. Pioneer Tower, also built for the 1936 Texas Centennial Celebration, is in the background. (Photo: Portal to Texas History)

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