Fox Theatre, Saint Louis

Fox Theatre is a historic performing arts venue that opened in 1929 as one of the grand movie palaces built by film producer William Fox. Designed by architect C. Howard Crane, the theater features the distinctive Siamese Byzantine style, blending Byzantine influences with motifs inspired by Indian, Hindu, and Far Eastern architecture. It originally operated as both a cinema and a live performance venue before closing in 1978 due to declining attendance. Following an extensive restoration completed in 1982, the theater reopened and continues to preserve its historic character while hosting modern productions.

The theater originally opened with 5,060 seats, making it the second-largest theater in the United States at the time. Today, it accommodates approximately 4,500 guests. The richly decorated lobby features marble surfaces, gilded ornamentation, decorative columns, grand chandeliers, and patterned ceilings. Inside the auditorium, carved plasterwork, colorful murals, and an impressive proscenium arch surround the stage, while modern lighting and sound systems support contemporary performances.

Today, the Fox Theatre presents touring Broadway musicals, concerts, dance performances, comedy shows, family productions, and community events throughout the year. Guided tours introduce visitors to the building's architecture, backstage areas, restoration, and history as one of America's great movie palaces. By combining carefully preserved historic interiors with an active performance schedule, the theater continues to play an important role in the region's cultural life.