Description:                                

The quaint, 450-seat Gem Theatre in Detroit boasts a rich history of musical theater, plays and films. The Twentieth Century Club, a group of cultural and civicminded women of social prominence, contracted noted architect George D. Mason to design a two-story auditorium that would adjoin their Century Club facility, built 24 years earlier in 1903.

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Over the decades, the Gem Theatre went through several changes until the re-opening in 1992 after an 18-month, multi-million dollar restoration. The exacting efforts of the restoration artists returned the theatre to its original Spanish Revival-style brilliance.


With its gold filigree ceiling and original wall panels of intricate colored patterns, the Gem sparkles with life. The main level features cabaret seating and offers guests the opportunity to sip cocktails and taste hors d"oeuvres during performances.


In January of 1997, the Gem was shut down and faced with extinction, threatened with condemnation in view of the City of Detroit"s plan to construct new Tiger and Lion Stadiums. Upon reaching an agreement with the City in April of 1997, the owners, Detroit"s Forbes family, began preparations, for a second time, to save and preserve the historic structure by electing to relocate the Gem/Twentieth Century Club building. The theater is now an integral part of an evolving new Theater District, across from the Music Hall and down the block from the Detroit Opera House.


In September 1998, the Gem reopened at its new location.


Following 18 months of relocation, reconstruction and restoration, the Century building reopened in April of 1999 with a production of Forbidden Hollywood in the 200-seat Century Theatre. Recently restored to its original Arts and Crafts style, the Century Club now houses artifacts from the historic downtown YWCA building, such as antique fireplaces, ornate chandliers and Pewabic tiles.


The grand opening of the Century Club restaurant in June 1999 completed the restoration process.

 

TRAVELAPE RELATED LINKS

Michigan Opera Theatre in Detroit Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village in Detroit

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