Michigan Theater

Michigan Theater. Located in downtown Ann Arbor, this historic movie palace opened in 1928 as a venue for both silent film and vaudeville performances. Designed by architect Maurice H. Finkel, it was saved from demolition in the late 1970s and meticulously restored, now operating as a nonprofit cultural center. The theater is renowned for its Spanish Gothic and Italian Renaissance architectural details, its original Wurlitzer organ, and its diverse programming of independent cinema, concerts, and community events.

History

The theater was commissioned by local businessman Michele DeGrazia and constructed at a cost of $500,000 during the golden age of movie palace construction. Its grand opening on January 5, 1928, featured the silent film The Drop Kick starring Richard Barthelmess, accompanied by a full orchestra and vaudeville acts. As the Great Depression impacted the economy, the venue shifted focus primarily to motion picture exhibition, managed for decades by the W.S. Butterfield Theatre chain. Following a period of decline and threat of demolition for a parking structure in the 1970s, a community effort led by the newly formed Michigan Theater Foundation successfully purchased and began restoring the building in 1979, marking a new chapter in its history.

Architecture and design

Architect Maurice H. Finkel of the firm Finkel & Hutchinson designed the interior in an elaborate Spanish Gothic style with significant Italian Renaissance influences. The lavish auditorium features a faux balcony, intricate plasterwork, a barrel-vaulted ceiling with twinkling starlight effects, and ornate wall sconces. The exterior facade is executed in terra cotta and limestone, presenting a more subdued Neoclassical appearance. A central feature is the original 1927 Wurlitzer style 235 theater organ, known as the "Barton Organ," which is still used to accompany silent films. The design incorporated advanced engineering for its time, including a sophisticated heating and ventilation system.

Notable events and performances

The venue has hosted a wide array of significant cultural events, including the annual Ann Arbor Film Festival, one of the oldest experimental film festivals in North America. It has been a key stop for renowned musical acts such as Bob Dylan, John Prine, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Lyle Lovett. The theater frequently presents live broadcasts from institutions like the Metropolitan Opera and the National Theatre. Its Cinetopia festival highlights international cinema, while regular programming includes classic film series, lectures by figures like Neil deGrasse Tyson, and performances by the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra.

Restoration and preservation

The rescue and revival was spearheaded by the Michigan Theater Foundation after the Ann Arbor City Council approved a demolition permit. A major capital campaign funded a complete restoration of the auditorium, lobby, and exterior, with work carefully matching original designs by Maurice H. Finkel. Critical projects included repairing the iconic marquee, restoring the Wurlitzer organ, and modernizing systems while preserving historic integrity. The theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, cementing its status. Ongoing preservation is supported through memberships, donations, and events like the annual Legacy gala.

In popular culture

The distinctive interior has served as a filming location for major motion pictures, notably appearing in The Five-Year Engagement starring Jason Segel and Emily Blunt. It is also featured prominently in the University of Michigan-set film The Education of Charlie Banks. The theater's iconic marquee and facade are frequently used in promotional imagery for the city of Ann Arbor and appear in travel guides like Lonely Planet. Its cultural significance is often referenced in works about Midwestern arts institutions and the historic preservation movement in the United States.

Category:Movie palaces in Michigan Category:Theatres in Michigan Category:Ann Arbor, Michigan Category:National Register of Historic Places in Michigan