Some theaters host shows; the Fox Theatre is one. William Fox’s 1928 Detroit palace — with its soaring, jewel-toned blend of Indian, Persian, Chinese and Burmese design — remains one of the largest surviving movie palaces of its era, seating more than 5,000 beneath a ceiling that looks hand-painted by the gods of glamour.
Restored to splendor in the late 1980s by the Ilitch family, the Fox now hosts Broadway tours, concerts, comedy and special events under operator 313 Presents — and its Wurlitzer organ, grand lobby and marquee on Woodward Avenue make every night feel like a premiere. National Register-listed and utterly unrepeatable, it’s the crown jewel of Detroit’s theater district.
The Fox Theatre is at 2211 Woodward Avenue. Upcoming events are listed at 313presents.com — arrive early just to stand in the lobby and stare.
