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Detroit Theatres
Overview
 Did you know that Detroit is home to the second largest theatre district in
the United
States
behind only New
York City's? And when you add the theatre activity in
the surrounding metro area, Detroit's offerings become that much more impressive. Detroit offers everything from first-run Broadway musicals
to classic Shakespeare and venues range in size from the 192-seat Century Theatre to the 5,000-seat Fox Theatre. Adding to the experience is that many of
these historic theatres have been restored to, and in some cases beyond,
their original grandeur. Below we list
Detroit's most prominent theatres with the most expansive
offerings. But don't forget to check
the local entertainment guides for some of the smaller and more intimate
venues.
Detroit Opera House
1526 Broadway,
Detroit
Website
 The Detroit Opera House is the home
to Michigan Opera Theatre, one of the few American opera companies to own and
operate its performance facility.
Opening in 1996, the Opera House is the company's fifth venue since
its founding in 1869. Gilded
balconies, Tiffany-style glass, and Art Deco and Italian Renaissance décor
highlight the interior. The Opera
House offers exceptional original interpretations and classic operas,
performances by the American Ballet Theatre, and touring productions such as Rent and Madame Butterfly.
Fisher
Theatre
3011 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit
Website
 The Fisher Theatre has entertained Detroit audiences since its opening as a
movie and vaudeville house in 1928. In
1961, the Fisher was remodeled as a live theatre after being acquired by the
Nederlander family, well-known theatre aficionados with ownership of venues
nationwide. An elegant theatre housed
in the Art Deco style Fisher Building,
the Fisher
Theatre hosts a variety of Broadway performances and has held world premieres
of Hello Dolly, Fiddler on the Roof, Sweet Charity and Golden Boy.
Fox Theatre
5401 Woodward Avenue, Detroit
Website
 Without question, the Fox is the Motor City's theatre crown jewel. In existence since 1928 and meticulously
restored in 1998, the theatre is the definition of the word opulence. The ornate interior is described as
Oriental, incorporating features of Hindu, Persian and Chinese
architecture. Gold leaf, hand
stenciled walls, velvet throne chairs, intricately cast brass ornamentation
and the second largest Wurlitzer organ in the nation are some of the
highlights of this spectacular building.
The Fox continues to attract record crowds for a mix of concerts,
annual variety and Broadway shows, restored classic films and family
entertainment.
 Gem
& Century Theatres
333 Madison Avenue, Detroit
Website
Built in 1903, the Century
Theatre first served as a gathering hall for a local women's civic
group. In 1928, the group built the
attached two-story Gem Theatre, which hosted film screenings and vaudeville
acts for many years. However, hard
times hit the Gem / Century, causing the building to lay dormant for 25 years
and threatening demolition as recently as 1997. To prevent this, the 5.5 million pound
structures were moved to a location five blocks away, setting a new Guinness
Book World Record as the heaviest building ever moved on wheels. After painstaking restoration, the resplendent
Gem and Century Theatres reopened in 1999 and offer high-quality productions
in an intimate setting.
Masonic Temple Theatre
500 Temple Avenue, Detroit
Website
 Appearing on the Michigan and National Historical
Registers, the 4,404-seat Masonic Temple is one of the largest and
finest theatrical houses in the country.
Since the opening of this magnificent structure in 1926 by the Masonic
fraternity, the theatre has hosted virtually all forms of live entertainment,
including plays, musicals, variety shows, classical music and opera,
rock-and-roll and dance. The theatre hosts 125 to 175 performances each year
which include some of entertainment's biggest stars.
Meadow Brook Theatre
 2200 N. Squirrel Rd., Rochester Hills
Website
Founded on Oakland University's
campus in 1967, Meadow Brook Theatre has become Michigan’s largest non-profit
producing professional theatre. As a result of state funding cuts,
the theatre nearly closed its doors in 2003.
Fortunately, a grass-roots effort involving hundreds of
metro-Detroiters saved the theatre.
This outstanding theatre hosts award-winning productions in an
intimate venue offering excellent sight
lines and acoustics. (See the
Experience Detroit Great Estates
page for more information on Meadowbrook!)
Music Hall Center for the
Performing Arts
350 Madison Avenue, Detroit
Website
 Founded in 1928, the 1,701-seat Music Hall is located
in the heart of Detroit's theatre district next to the Opera House and
across from the Gem and Century Theatres. The building was designed in the Art Deco style
with Terra-cotta Greek masks adorning the exterior and elaborate molded
plaster and stenciling complementing the interior. Completion of an extensive six-year
restoration in 1995 adds to the appeal of this Detroit theatre centerpiece
that hosts a Just
Off Broadway play series, world class dance, family programming, and a
comprehensive educational outreach program.
A classic venue offering excellent entertainment!
The Second City
42705 Grand River Avenue, Novi
Website
 The Second City comedy group was founded by a group
of University of Chicago students in the 1950s. Since then, it has transformed from a
Chicago favorite into a comedic force operating venues nationwide and boasting
an alumni list that includes such greats as Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, and Bill
Murray. The original Detroit Second City location opened in 1993 on Woodward Avenue next to the Fox
Theatre but relocated to the popular northwest suburb of Novi
in 2005. Grab some tickets to a show
and take part in the development of some of Detroit's finest comic talent!
Wayne State University
Theatres
Cultural Center, Detroit
Website
 The Wayne State University College of Fine,
Performing, and Communication Arts stakes claim to Detroit's oldest
noncommercial theatre. The school's
Department of Theatre boasts enrollment and/or participation of close to 200
students in the three theatres it operates.
Each year the Bonstelle, Hillberry, and Studio Theatres play to the
second largest audience in Michigan, behind only that of the Fisher
Theatre. The theatres are
all located on or near the Wayne State University campus and the fascinating Cultural Center area of Detroit.
More Information
There are dozens of other
theatre companies, independent theatres, and live music spots operating in
the metro Detroit area not highlighted above.
Click on the links below for information on a number of these venues.
Baldwin Theatre (in bustling Royal Oak)
City
Theatre
Detroit Repertory Theatre
Ford Community & Performing
Arts Center
Majestic Theatre Center
Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle
Music
Heritage
Orchestra
Hall
Purple Rose Theater (founded by
actor Jeff Daniels)
State Theatre
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