City of Detroit: The Fox Theatre Is Full of Entertainment

Detroit’s Fox Theatre is the nation's second largest theatre overall – and the largest of the Fox Theatres. It's alive with activity each year and has played host to some of the biggest names in show business. It holds its ground as one of the top-grossing theatres in the nation.

Located near Grand Circus Park in downtown Detroit’s theatre district, the Fox Theatre was designated a National Historic Landmark on June 29, 1989. Straight from the Roaring Twenties, it is the first theatre to feature live sound.  This ornate performance center has 5,048 seats, or 5,174 seats if removable seats in the raised orchestra pit are included.  The Fox Theatre was fully restored in 1988.

Built in 1928 for William Fox, the founder of 20th Century Fox, it was the first movie palace to have live sound. The architect, C. Howard Crane, designed a lavish interior blend of Burmese, Chinese, Indian and Persian motifs. There are three levels of seating, the Main Floor above the orchestra pit, the Mezzanine, and the Gallery or balcony. The exterior of the attached 10-story building features an Art Deco facade, where it can be seen night illuminated for several blocks.

The Fox was Detroit's premier movie destination for decades. By the 1970's the theatre was a grimy venue reduced to showing horror and Kung fu movies. Unlike other downtown theatres in the 1970s, such as the Michigan, United Artist and Capitol -- the Fox managed to remain open.

In 1988, the theatre underwent a $12 million renovation by its new owners Mike and Marian Ilitch. Ilitch Holdings, Inc. is headquartered in the Fox Theatre Office Building. The area of downtown near Grand Circus Park that encompasses Fox Theatre is sometimes referred to as Foxtown, named after the theatre. In 2000, Comerica Park opened and helped to revitalize the area along with Ford Field in 2002. It is currently Detroit’s top venue for Broadway shows.

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, held at the Fox Theatre, was an annual favorite from 1997 through 2005. On March 31, 2007, the theatre hosted the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, the night before WrestleMania 23, which was being held at nearby Ford Field. Other live productions have included Sesame Street Live: Let's Be Friends; David Copperfield; Blue's Clues' Live!; as well as show tours, such as Donny Osmond; Irving Berlin's White Christmas; Dora The Explorer! Live; in April of 2007, Go! Diego! Live! with Liz Coscia; and Sesame Street Live productions, from 1998-2008.