![](https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/In-the-News/wsi-imageoptim-Detroit-Opera-House-Michigan-Opera-Theatre-MAIN.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=123c1c27a2e3f68b2817706338b912d7 320w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/In-the-News/wsi-imageoptim-Detroit-Opera-House-Michigan-Opera-Theatre-MAIN.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=c94955745be21ac11b0950218605a912 540w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/In-the-News/wsi-imageoptim-Detroit-Opera-House-Michigan-Opera-Theatre-MAIN.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=b0b7a71f2eda0c0d15482b0e9c58e71c 761w)
Detroit's Dynamic Theatre Scene
Story by Michelle Martin
Metro Detroit’s theaters are well regarded – not only for their performances but also for their impressive architecture and history. Ready to see a stage performance? Here are some of the best theaters in metro Detroit.
Fisher Theatre
The Fisher Theatre has hosted some of Broadway’s biggest productions, and many of the world’s most beloved musicals have premiered there. The theater, which opened as a movie and vaudeville house in 1928, was remodeled in 1961. It is in the Fisher Building, a National Historic Landmark revered for its Art Deco design.
Detroit Opera House
Opened in 1922 as the Capitol Theater, the Detroit Opera House was believed at the time to be the fifth-largest theater in the world. Following a series of name changes and a tumultuous history, which included several years of decay and a small fire, the Detroit Opera House today is a destination for some of the world’s best opera and dance performances.
Fox Theatre
Built in 1928 for Fox Films, the Fox Theatre over the years has hosted vaudeville, stage productions, organ concerts, and movies. But the theater began to decline in the 1960s and ‘70s, and after a $12 million renovation, it reopened in 1988 and was soon designated a National Historic Landmark. Today, the theater is home to a variety of plays, concerts, and other special events.
![](https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/main-images/fox-theatre-detroit-stage.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=4c9b7fa40cd15e820a038a07f54f3c6c 320w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/main-images/fox-theatre-detroit-stage.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=ef2e8ffac3acc6f4459e224d4a8aea57 540w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/main-images/fox-theatre-detroit-stage.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=284476934e00687c6b6dcd4c1d02df8b 768w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/main-images/fox-theatre-detroit-stage.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=53107ba673263445d300549d3d33f2b3 1024w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/main-images/fox-theatre-detroit-stage.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=252a76ee9d62ca48f0e8e5726d85f1bb 1200w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/main-images/fox-theatre-detroit-stage.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=51eb624952902584e06f3313150c1030 1440w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/main-images/fox-theatre-detroit-stage.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=115f6ef0a967bcc262af98279020a77c 1920w)
Orchestra Hall
Home to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the 2,000-seat Orchestra Hall is one of the premier concert halls in the world. It opened in 1919, and like many of Detroit’s theaters, it fell into disrepair at one point. Orchestra Hall was restored throughout the 1970s and ‘80s, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra returned to its stage in 1979.
Masonic Temple
The Masonic Temple – a Gothic structure that houses a cathedral, chapels, ballrooms, a 4,000-seat auditorium and other rooms – is home to Detroit’s largest professional stage. When it was built in 1926, it was the largest building of its kind in the world. Throughout the year, it hosts professional stage productions as well as a variety of other events.
![](https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Masonic-Temple-Main-Theatre-2100-1300x582.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=d692e288a8b94fc64eb797f7303376cf 320w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Masonic-Temple-Main-Theatre-2100-1300x582.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=92a4563e5ad18e00354a8a861061d028 540w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Masonic-Temple-Main-Theatre-2100-1300x582.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=313c7d53aeff7b5209744cf147e21703 768w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Masonic-Temple-Main-Theatre-2100-1300x582.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=78c44c530aea7a1c7c0a9750b0efe72c 1024w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Masonic-Temple-Main-Theatre-2100-1300x582.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=7e7ef27d077cdb0d37170b5d1bbb495c 1200w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Masonic-Temple-Main-Theatre-2100-1300x582.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=83b6c27bfcb19ac9b9981e8e7137054b 1300w)
Purple Rose Theatre
Actor Jeff Daniels opened the Purple Rose Theatre in his native Chelsea in 1991. The theater quickly became known for its productions, and in 1994 it was named “Theatre of the Year” by “The Detroit News.” Today, the 168-seat theater in historic downtown Chelsea attracts people from throughout the region.
Meadow Brook Theatre
Located on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, Meadow Brook Theatre has presented Broadway-quality productions for more than 50 years. In addition to hosting many well-known performances, the 584-seat theater also has a children’s series.
Redford Theatre
Opened in 1928 as a movie house, the Redford Theatre was known for its three-story foyer, full-size stage and pipe organ. (The Redford Theatre and Fox Theatre are the only two venues in metro Detroit that still have their original organs.) Today, the Redford Theatre hosts movies, candlelight concerts and organ performances.
You May Also Like
![](https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Detroit-popular-attractions-Fox-Theatre.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=6ea750ab457f8ecef4ad96707323a373 320w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Detroit-popular-attractions-Fox-Theatre.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=27f3a2aeb76432a868f5b796ef3b776d 540w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Detroit-popular-attractions-Fox-Theatre.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=bf3c2c4618a50362d568f73e4164b761 768w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Detroit-popular-attractions-Fox-Theatre.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=d30ed70ff0e0a3e695ea264f5951283b 1024w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Detroit-popular-attractions-Fox-Theatre.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=c5dc67c89f1f9bbe70852baf9aad3413 1200w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-Detroit-popular-attractions-Fox-Theatre.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=960&q=80&w=1440&s=f83717dfe417267919243297b4107aca 1410w)
Theatre & Performing Arts
Unofficially, Detroit has the second largest theater district in the country to New York City…
Examine all Detroit has to offer in music! There are so many popular, unique, and…
Check out this guide to explore the innovative, moving, and diverse art gallery scene in…