The Century Theatre in Detroit shares a lobby with the
Gem Theatre
The Gem Theatre is a performing arts theater located in Detroit, Michigan. Built in 1927 in the Spanish Revival style, it houses a two level theater with traditional row and aisle seating along with stage-level seating at cabaret tables. The Gem ...
. The theatre has seating at cabaret tables, and the stage hosts quirky shows, such as
Forbidden Broadway
''Forbidden Broadway'' is an Off-Broadway revue parodying musical theatre, particularly Broadway musicals. It was conceived, written and directed by Gerard Alessandrini.
The original version of the revue opened on January 15, 1982, at Palsson's S ...
,
Menopause the Musical
''Menopause The Musical'' is a 2001 musical with book and lyrics by Jeanie Linders which premiered on March 28, 2001 in Orlando, Florida. The musical follows four mature women shopping for lingerie at a Bloomingdale's sale, with lyrics parodying p ...
, and
Late Nite Catechism
''Late Nite Catechism'' (1993) is a solo comedy play about a fictional Catholic nun, written by Vicki Quade and Maripat Donovan. The show itself is a form of participatory theatre where the actress playing the nun is the only person on stage, ...
. The theatre building houses a restaurant, The Century Grille, and is a popular
downtown Detroit
Downtown Detroit is the central business district and a residential area of the city of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Locally, downtown tends to refer to the 1.4 square mile region bordered by M-10 (Lodge Freeway) to the west, Interstate 75 ( ...
destination for weddings and private events.
History
Built in 1903 by the Twentieth Century Association and opened on December 26, the theater was the first building in Detroit to have a building permit issued in a woman's name. During The Depression, the Association disbanded and the theater foreclosed. The building housed a variety of businesses over the years until it finally closed in 1978. in 1990, developer Charles Forbes began a renovation to restore it. The Gem Theatre reopened on December 31, 1991, only to close again in 1997. Because of the fact it would be torn down due to Comerica Park, Forbes negotiated it so the theatre was moved five blocks away November 10, 1997. It broke the 1986 Guinness Book of World Records for the heaviest building moved on wheels
The Historic Gem and Century Theatres, Century Grille Detroit’s record-breaking little gem
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References
Further reading
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External links
Gem and Century Theatres Photos at DETROIT: The Gem Theatre
Theatres in Detroit
Relocated buildings and structures in Michigan
Event venues established in 1903
1903 establishments in Michigan
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