Fox Theatre Restores Auditorium Ceiling to its Original 1929 Splendor

This summer the Fabulous Fox Theatre will undertake the most massive project since the original restoration in 1981 by restoring the auditorium ceiling.

The auditorium dome is designed as a canopy with alternating panels of jewel-studded intricate plasterwork and Indian fabric. Plaster tassels, fringe and filigree work embellish the canopy perimeter which is supported by gigantic spears that point to the center opening. At the center and at each of the four corners, a blue sky provides the canopy's backdrop. Suspended from the center sky is the massive 12-foot diameter Fox chandelier.

During the first renovation in 1981 the ceiling was vacuumed using suspended spider scaffolding. This time the entire auditorium will be scaffolded from floor to ceiling to allow for a complete cleaning, touch up painting and fabric repair. "I am absolutely thrilled that my Fox partners and I are finally able to give the auditorium ceiling the proper restoration it deserves," says Mary Strauss. "Thanks to the support of our St. Louis patrons we have been able to finish the projects we were not able to complete before opening in 1982 -the stage expansion, lobby ceiling mural, the front façade and signage, new cooling system and now the auditorium ceiling."
This project will take time not only for the ceiling work itself, but to put up and take down 13 trailers of scaffolding. To accomplish this massive endeavor, the theatre will be closed to performances following the run of "Anything Goes" which ends on June 9.
The theatre will reopen in early September just in time to kick off the Fox Theatre's 31st Broadway Season. An "unveiling" of the auditorium is also planned for September. Additional information will be available at a later date.

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