I remember when I first visited Detroit’s historic Fox Theatre in 1989, after it had been restored.
My friends and I were going to watch the film “Lawrence of Arabia.”
I was as excited to see the film on the big screen as I was to see what the restored theatre looked like inside.
I had been watching films at the Redford Theater for years, so I thought I was accustomed to the lavish interiors of theaters built in the 1920’s.
But the Redford didn’t prepare me for the impressiveness of the Fox Theatre.
When I walked through the front doors of the Fox, I was amazed.
I stared up at the six-story ceiling covered in brilliant colors and art work. As I walked around the lobby, I saw red columns covered at the base with ornate birds, flowers, and other decorative images.
To reach my seat on the mezzanine, I walked past lion sculptures guarding the magnificent staircase.
The auditorium was just as spectacular, with a gorgeous domed ceiling and repeating red columns on the side walls.
It was incredible to see.
And I still feel that way every time I go to the Fox, as I did this weekend, when I saw a live performance of Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion.
I had a great seat near the front of the theatre and loved the performance, including Keillor singing “My Girl” with a Detroit twist:
I got Belle Isle, and the zoo, and the aquarium. And I’ve got Vernor’s Ginger Ale.
After the concert, I wandered about the lobby taking photos of the columns, ceiling, and organ pipes.
I left feeling as impressed with the architecture and interior design as I did almost 20 years ago.
