The Louisville Palace Theatre: ornate showcase for great entertainment
Published: Apr 8, 2009
While the Louisville Palace Theatre is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, there's nothing old-fashioned about the theater's presentations. Located in the heart of 4th Street Live, the Palace, which opened in 1928, continues bringing live performances to Louisville audiences — from touring Broadway shows to nationally acclaimed musical acts and the latest in stand-up comedy.
The 2,700-seat theater itself is a sight to behold. The Palace's Spanish Baroque exterior is the work of architect John Eberson, who specialized in early 20th century exotic and ornate movie houses. The theater's heavily ornate interior still recalls the theaters of yesteryear.
The Palace's awe-inspiring lobby has a curved, vaulted ceiling graced with the scuptures of the faces of 139 historic personages. Once inside the theater itself, the deep-blue trompe l'oeil ceiling recreates an early summer evening. (Originally a Loew's United Artists Theatre, the Palace's ceiling can also mimic the night's twinkling stars!)
Since the Palace reopened in 1994, the emphasis has been on modern acts. It occasionally shows classic or specialty films; mostly, however, the Palace provides a venue for national acts, such as comedian and actor Robin Williams, British alt-rock band Coldplay, blues legend B.B. King and Grammy Award winners Robert Plant and Allison Kraus on their Raising Sand tour. The Palace also sometimes hosts the national tour of Broadway productions, such as the Tony Award-winning Avenue Q .
Acoustics are such that several performers — including Green Day and Allison Kraus — have elected to record at the Palace.
The Louisville Palace's website gives ticket buyers a chance to see the view from their seat before they buy. You can purchase tickets online, by calling (877) 598-8698 or by visiting the Louisville Box Office from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and two hours before any scheduled event.
Free tours of the historic Louisville Palace can be arranged by calling (502) 583-4555, extension 224. No smoking is allowed in the theater. For parking information or directions, click here.
The Palace is wheelchair accessible at the theater's orchestra level. For the hard of hearing, assisted-listening devices are available at no charge from the Guest Services Desk in the lobby or by calling (502) 583-4555.
Each Broadway in Louisville show has at least one signed performance for the deaf. Call the Broadway in Louisville Box Office at (502) 562-1003 for more information.
- by Ivonne Rovira, Louisville Reporter for HelloMetro
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