Palace Theater to Offer Guided History Tours

Friday June 9 is the next opportunity to take a journey through 94 years of a theater that is on the National Register of Historic Places in Connecticut during the Waterbury Palace Theater's monthly tour from 11a.m. to 12:30p.m. Admission is $5.00 per person and tickets can be purchased online at www.palacetheaterct.org, by phone at 203-346-2000, or in person at the Box Office, 100 East Main St. in Waterbury. Groups larger than ten people are asked to contact the Box Office to book their reservations in advance. Other tour dates during the summer are: Saturday, August 12

During the tour, attendees are led by a Palace Theater Ambassador Tour Guide on an educational exploration through nine decades of stunning architecture and backstage magic related to the Palace's rich history. Tour takers will also have the opportunity to visit the hidden areas - the green room, wig room and star dressing rooms, plus have a chance to walk across the stage and view the venue's hidden backstage murals featuring artwork painted and signed by past performers and Broadway touring companies. Guests are also invited to browse a rarely seen collection of the theater's pre-restoration photos, in addition to viewing elements from the Palace's Tenth Anniversary History Exhibit, which include a visual timeline of historic milestones dating back to 1922, as well as original theater seats from the 1920s. They will also hear about the special work that was done in December to the theater's ceiling to accommodate the chandelier that is a critical set piece in the upcoming presentation of Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Weber's The Phantom of the Opera November 15 - 26, 2017.

Each tour is approximately 90 minutes and is led by a team of engaging volunteers well-versed in the theater's rich history, architectural design and entertaining anecdotal information. It is important to note that the walking tour covers five floors of history and architecture, including grand staircases from the 1920's. While elevator access is available, guests with walking disabilities or health concerns are asked to inform the Box Office ahead of time, so that the tour guides can make the proper accommodations.

For more information, visit www.palacetheaterct.org.