Emerald Theatre facts for kids
The theater's grand opening in 2000
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| Former names | Macomb Theatre Club Hollywood Great Lakes Dinner Playhouse JD's Macomb Theater Emerald Ballroom Macomb Music Theatre |
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| Location | 31 N. Walnut St. Mt. Clemens, Michigan, United States |
| Type | Concert and live performance venue |
| Capacity | General admission 1,640 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1921 |
| Renovated | 2000, 2016 |
| Architect | C. Howard Crane |
The Emerald Theatre is a historic building in downtown Mt. Clemens, Michigan, where people can see concerts and other live shows. It has a long and interesting history, with many different names and owners over the years.
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About the Theatre
The Emerald Theatre is a large space, covering 23,000 square feet. It can hold up to 1,640 people for a show. The building has three different levels for audiences to enjoy events.
The main floor has a dance floor and special terraced seating that looks like a cabaret club. This area can also be changed to have rows of seats like a traditional theater. The second level, called the mezzanine, has permanent theater-style seats. The third floor is a large balcony where people can stand to watch the show.
Because it can be set up in different ways, the theater is used for many kinds of events. These include concerts, comedy shows, business meetings, and even weddings.
History of the Theatre
A Grand Beginning
The theater first opened its doors in 1921. At that time, it was called the Macomb Theatre. It was built as a grand movie palace, a type of large, fancy theater from the early days of cinema. It also hosted vaudeville shows, which were live stage performances with a mix of comedy, music, and other acts.
The building was designed by a famous architect named C. Howard Crane. He also designed other well-known theaters in Detroit, like Orchestra Hall and the Fox Theatre. The Macomb Theatre was one of the first big movie palaces in the Detroit area and is the largest of its kind in Macomb County.
Changes and Challenges
For many decades, the theater was a popular spot. But starting in 1987, it went through many changes. It was given new names, used for different purposes, and had several new owners.
From 2000 to 2012, it was known as the Emerald Theatre and was a very successful concert hall. However, in 2012, the theater had to close due to money problems.
Reopening and Renovations
In late 2012, a new owner bought the theater and started a major renovation project. It was renamed the Macomb Music Theatre and reopened in April 2013 with a sold-out jazz concert. The famous comedy duo Cheech & Chong also performed there. Unfortunately, the theater closed again in 2014.
New owners took over in February 2016. They made more repairs and improvements, including adding a new marquee sign outside. They brought back the popular "Emerald Theatre" name and reopened in December 2016. Today, it continues to host a wide variety of live events.
Famous Performances
Many famous artists and special events have taken place at the Emerald Theatre.
A VH1 Christmas special starring Kid Rock was filmed here. In 2006, the theater also hosted the Sports Illustrated Super Bowl XL Party.
Other well-known musicians and bands who have performed on its stage include:
- Uncle Kracker
- Funkadelic
- Vince Neil
- Mike Posner
- The Cult
- Styx
- Motörhead
- Pearl Jam
- Michael Bolton
