Five theaters—the Allen, the State, the Ohio, the Palace and the Hanna—make up most of PlayhouseSquare, but don’t expect a square. They’re shoulder-to-shoulder along Euclid Avenue, except for the Hanna, which is half a block away on 14th Street. Their marquees shine with incandescent bulbs, just as they did in 1921 and ‘22, the years they opened. Vaudeville acts, silent films and high-end theater drew patrons back then. These days the entertainment includes Broadway touring productions and big-name acts like Blue Man Group. Classic movies are a summer staple and year-round regional companies also take the stage. This is the home of The Great Lakes Theater Festival. With the closeby 14th Street Theatre, Kennedy’s Cabaret and Westfield Insurance Studio Theatre included in PlayhouseSquare’s holdings, it’s the second-largest theater complex in the U.S. (New York’s Lincoln Center is first). Imagine this: In the '70s, due to disrepair and neglect, three venues were scheduled to be torn down. Instead, this glittering real estate is considered the U.S.’s most successful restoration project and comeback story—ever.
- Type:
Attractions & Landmarks, Other
Write a Review
Sign in