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| The Fabulous Fox Theatre | |
|---|---|
| Name | The Fabulous Fox Theatre |
| Location | Saint Louis, Missouri, United States |
| Built | 1929–1931 |
| Architect | C. Howard Crane; Boller Brothers (consultation) |
| Architecture | Moorish Revival architecture; Byzantine architecture influences; Eclecticism |
| Governing body | The Fabulous Fox Theatre organization |
| Designation | National Register of Historic Places |
The Fabulous Fox Theatre is a landmark performing arts venue in Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, originally opened in 1929 as the Fox Theatre. It evolved from an Edward M. Shephard-era movie palace concept into a multifaceted performing arts center, hosting touring productions, Broadway shows, symphony concerts, film premieres, and civic events. The theatre's history intersects with prominent figures and institutions in American theatre, motion picture exhibition, and urban preservation movements.
The theatre was developed during the late Roaring Twenties boom by the Fox Film Corporation film executive William Fox and opened amid the era of grand movie palaces alongside venues like Radio City Music Hall, The Orpheum (Los Angeles), and Tampa Theatre. Construction spanned the onset of the Great Depression, impacting financing and ownership; related corporate maneuvers included links to Twentieth Century Fox and local investors tied to Saint Louis civic leaders. In subsequent decades the venue weathered competition from suburban multiplex cinema chains, shifts exemplified by the rise of AMC Theatres and Regal Cinemas, and faced potential demolition that catalyzed preservation efforts similar to campaigns for Carnegie Hall and Pennsylvania Station (New York City), resulting in nonprofit stewardship and recognition on the National Register of Historic Places.
The interior combines Moorish Revival architecture, Byzantine architecture, and elements of Indian architecture to produce an exotic motif influenced by designers who studied venues such as Theater des Westens and Tuschinski Theater. ornamentation includes gilded plasterwork, painted ceilings, and a proscenium framed in ornamental tile referencing examples like Alhambra (Palace), Hagia Sophia, and Taj Mahal iconography. The auditorium's horseshoe plan and seating rake reflect standards promoted by architects such as C. Howard Crane and firms like Rapp and Rapp. Decorative artisanship involved craftsmen whose training echoed traditions at Opéra Garnier and Teatro alla Scala.
Present-day programming ranges from Broadway touring productions and classical symphony orchestra performances to rock concerts, comedy tours, and community events, echoing programming models at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Kennedy Center, and Carnegie Hall. Resident and touring presenters have included producers affiliated with Nederlander Organization, Shubert Organization, and commercial promoters like AEG Presents and Live Nation Entertainment. The venue has hosted premieres and engagements featuring artists tied to MGM, Universal Pictures, and musicians from labels such as Columbia Records and Warner Records.
Conservation work followed precedents set by restoration projects at Palace of Fine Arts (San Francisco), Fox Theatre (Detroit), and Chicago Theatre. Funding sources combined municipal grants, philanthropic gifts from foundations in the tradition of Rockefeller Foundation and Andrew W. Mellon Foundation-style cultural philanthropy, corporate sponsorships, and capital campaigns managed by nonprofit boards. Restoration efforts addressed structural stabilization, historic fabric conservation guided by standards akin to those of the National Park Service and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and modernization to meet codes influenced by Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and municipal building codes in Missouri.
The theatre has anchored Saint Louis's cultural district and hosted events tied to civic organizations such as the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, State Historical Society of Missouri, and touring companies from New York City and London. Notable performances and events have included appearances by performers associated with Broadway (New York City), film stars from Hollywood, political rallies comparable to events held at venues like Madison Square Garden, and televised specials produced in collaboration with broadcasters like PBS and NBC. The venue's survival became a rallying symbol for local preservationists, comparable to campaigns for Grand Central Terminal and Grauman's Chinese Theatre.
The auditorium seats a capacity comparable to large historic houses such as Radio City Music Hall and The Chicago Theatre, with orchestra, mezzanine, and balcony levels configured for sightlines promoted by historic theatre architects. Technical systems include a fly tower and stage mechanics consistent with touring Broadway productions and rigging standards used by companies like Disney Theatrical Group and Cirque du Soleil. Lighting rigs, sound systems, and backstage infrastructure have been upgraded to industry specifications used by touring producers, concert promoters, and orchestras, integrating equipment from manufacturers often specified by Sennheiser, Meyer Sound Laboratories, and ETC (company).
The venue offers guided tours and educational programs coordinated with local cultural institutions such as Saint Louis University, Washington University in St. Louis, and school districts. Visitor services mirror practices at historic house museums and performing arts centers such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Smithsonian Institution-affiliated sites, including group tour booking, accessibility accommodations, and merchandise operations. Tour scheduling, ticketing, and event calendars are managed in coordination with major ticketing platforms and box office operations used by organizations like Ticketmaster and regional arts agencies.
Category:Theatres in Missouri Category:Buildings and structures in St. Louis