Peter Mayo

Voices of Oklahoma

There is a distinguished Tulsa family that is associated with several downtown Tulsa real estate properties. The Mayo family was responsible for building the Mayo Building, the Petroleum Building, the Mayo Hotel, and the adjacent Mayo Motor Inn parking garage.
Today, a fourth-generation Mayo family member, Peter Mayo, follows this heritage in restoring and improving Tulsa’s former Municipal Theatre which was once known as the Brady Theater and is now called the Tulsa Theatre.
In 1925, Peter’s Grandfather, John, and his brother Cass Mayo completed construction of what would become a destination for many notable guests throughout the hotel’s first life, including President John F. Kennedy, Babe Ruth, and Elvis Presley. The 18-story, 600-room hotel exemplified modern luxury during Oklahoma’s oil renaissance; ceiling fans were outfitted in every room and the hotel boasted Tulsa’s first running ice water.
The Tulsa Municipal Theater was completed in 1914 and remodeled in 1930 and 1952. It was one of only 16 theatres in the U.S. equipped to host a full Metropolitan opera production.
It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
When the Tulsa Performing Arts Center was built, the city put the old theatre up for auction in 1977. Peter bought the theater for $35,000, saving it from demolition, and made major improvements to what was once known as the “Ole Lady on Brady”.
Peter’s parents, Alene Oliphant Mayo and John Burch Mayo were very prominent in the Tulsa community, promoting many good causes, including the Tulsa Symphony and opera productions at the Municipal Theatre. Burch was known for his operatic voice. So, when the Mayo name became attached to the theatre, it seemed only fitting.
In Peter’s oral history, he talks about his musical background, how he came to buy the theatre, and reflects on the many concerts since his ownership.
And he talks about the legend of Enrico Caruso.