Morris Performing Arts Center
211 North Michigan Street, South Bend, IN, USA
Seats (approximate)
2560
ABOUT THIS THEATRE
Description
The Morris Performing Arts Center, located in the heart of downtown South Bend, Indiana, originally opened as the Palace Theater in November, 1921, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Designed using a mix of lavish architectural styles including Italian Renaissance, Spanish Revival and Baroque, the theater is rich in exquisite detail: hand-painted cherubs, crystal chandeliers, Versailles-style arches and ornate plaster moldings. A hand-stenciled and gilded blue dome crowns the theater, rising 65 feet above the audience.
Built as a vaudeville house, The Palace Theater also played silent movies and later, "talkies." It has been the home to two world premieres, including Knute Rockne: All American in 1940, which brought 24,000 fans to the Palace doors. Rock and roll took the Morris stage in the '60s and '70s with such acts as James Brown, Pure Prairie League and Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention.
After 70 years, the Morris began to show its age and it became apparent that it was in need of a brand new stage house and a complete renovation and restoration. In 1991, the City of South Bend and South Bend Entertainment, Inc., embarked on a public/private partnership to raise the funds needed for the renovation of the Morris. Construction began in March 1998, and was completed in February 2000.
The Morris Performing Arts Center now boasts upgraded technical equipment and enlarged performance and backstage spaces, as well as a completely restored interior.
The Morris Performing Arts Center offers:
· New audience seating with a maximum capacity of 2560
· Completely repainted and restored interior
· Fully updated utilities and HVAC system
· Brand new stage that measures 45' deep by 103' wide, with a
72' fly height and 70 fly lines
· Expanded loading area with three new docks
· New dressing rooms, chorus rooms, catering room and
hair/wardrobe room
· New stage lighting and sound system
· Expanded orchestra pit
· Full Wenger symphonic shell
· State-of-the-art Daktronics electronic marquee installed November 2005
The Morris Performing Arts Center offers the best of the old with the best of the new: a combination of opulent décor and rich history with upgraded technical equipment and expanded space. The theater is today the home of the Broadway Theatre League, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, and the Southold Dance Theater.
Patrons are close to their seat at show time when they enjoy dinner before the show at The Morris Bistro Restaurant conveniently located within the Morris complex! The Morris Bistro is open two hours before shows and boasts upscale, reasonably priced dining in an elegant atmosphere. Dinner/Show Ticket Packages with preferred seating in the theater are available for most shows featuring three-course dinners or buffet dinners and a full cash bar including top shelf liquor and specialty wines. The Morris Bistro Restaurant is open for lunch Monday - Friday from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Media
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