The famed landmark venue, the Palace Theatre, where iconic Main Stem productions like the 2009 run of "West Side Story" and 2017's "SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical" were held, is set to finally reopen later this month after over five years of renovations.
About the Palace Theatre's Renovation and Future Projects
It first shut down in September 2018 for extensive improvements and restoration work, which included raising the historically significant theatre 30 feet in the air.
Operated by the Nederlander Organization, the collective years-long efforts for the renovation project cost more than $2.5 billion and involve a Hilton Hotel located right above the venue.
Broadway producer Stewart Lane, who co-owns the theatre alongside Jimmy Nederlander, said in a statement to Spectrum News: "We not only maintained the integrity of the theatre and its charm from 1913. But the guts of the theatre have been modernized."
Some of the improvements include a new washroom facility for would-be patrons, larger and more comfortable seats, an enhanced backstage, and a more accommodating set of dressing rooms, all of which are brought forth into "the 21st century," as per Lane.
The Palace's inaugural opening was in 1913. At the time, it was also considered one of the most premiere Vaudeville theatres in the US.
By 1965, industry giant James M. Nederlander developed the venue into the Broadway powerhouse it is now known as with Bob Fosse's "Sweet Charity," which was headlined by Gwen Verdon.
Since its foundation, a host of Broadway classics has played in the Palace, including "La Cage aux Folles," "The Will Rogers Follies," "Legally Blonde" and Disney's "Beauty and the Beast," and "Aida," among others.
With its return, a new set of first-rate performances awaits its patrons, the first of which is Tony, Grammy, and Emmy winner Ben Platt's 18-performance concert residency that will kick off this May 28 and will run for two weeks.
Elton John's latest stage musical, "Tammy Faye," will join the Palace's new roster of shows later this year in the fall season.
