Detroit boasts a number of historic, fabulously adorned theaters that double as venues for elegant off-site events.
Starts such as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and Jerry Seinfeld have played the Fox Theatre, an Art Deco gem that dates back to the roaring ’20s. It hosted the Motown Revue in its heyday and today stages performances, concerts and events ranging from the “Detroit Salute,” a party to kick off Super Bowl week in 2006, to the gala for the Ryder Cup, along with scores of other black-tie and corporate events.
The National Historic Landmark theater boasts a handsome grand lobby and foyer that accommodate sit-down dinners and cocktail receptions, and also a plush mezzanine level that provides a venue for pre- and post-concert receptions. The Fox can host up to 800 guests for sit-down dinners, 1,500 guests for strolling buffet receptions and up to 4,800 guests for an awards ceremony, business meeting or private concert event.
Behind-the-scenes group tours of the restored Fox Theatre are also available. The tour showcases the venue’s architectural design and many ornate features, including its 13-foot-diameter chandelier.
The Detroit Opera House was constructed in 1922 by local architect C. Howard Crane in the style of the great European Opera Houses. Groups are encouraged to take a backstage historic tour, attend a workshop or lecture, or attend one of the many productions on its calendar of events. The Detroit Opera House is also available for catered group events.
In late 1997, the historic Gem Theatre and Century Club made history by completing a 1,850-foot, five-city-block journey that landed it in the Guinness Book of World Records as the heaviest building moved on wheels.
The 450-seat Gem sports a full calendar of performances, with an emphasis on musical theater, plays and films. The Century Club houses the 200-seat Century Theatre; artifacts from the historic downtown YWCA building, including stained glass from the chapel, leaded glass doors and antique fireplaces; and the Century Grille, which accommodates a variety of private and corporate events.
The Fisher Theatre opened as a movie and vaudeville house in 1928, and was remodeled in 1961 under the management of the Nederlander Theatrical Corporation. Today, the Fisher is adorned with marble, Indian rosewood and walnut paneling, and crystal and bronze decorative work; the original 3,500 seats were scaled to 2,089 to ensure an intimate atmosphere and optimal viewing. (The last row of the theater’s balcony is only 92 feet from the stage, providing superb sight lines.)
For More Info
Detroit Opera House 313.961.3500
www.motopera.org
The Fisher Theatre 313.872.1000
www.nederlanderdetroit.com
Fox Theatre 313.471.3200
www.olympiaentertainment.com
Gem Theatre and Century Club 313.963.9800
www.gemtheatre.com
