Marcus Center facts for kids
The Marcus Performing Arts Center is a large venue for live shows in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A performing arts center is a special building where you can watch plays, concerts, ballets, and operas. This center is run by a non-profit group and is known as Milwaukee's top spot for the arts.
The building is also a War Memorial, honoring those who served in the military. It is home to several famous local groups, including the Florentine Opera, the Milwaukee Ballet, and the First Stage Children's Theater. For many years, from 1969 to 2020, it was also where the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra played. The center also hosts touring Broadway shows, like big musicals you might see in New York City.
History of the Center
The idea for a special place for the arts in Milwaukee started back in 1945. People wanted a war memorial that could also be a place for "art, music, drama, public discussion, and social assembly."
Construction finally began on June 27, 1966. The building was designed by a famous architect named Harry Weese in a style called Brutalist architecture, which often uses large, blocky concrete shapes. The center officially opened on September 17, 1969. The opening night was a huge event with music, opera, and ballet performances.
In 1970, the building won a special award for its excellent design from the American Institute of Architects. The center got its current name in 1994 after a large donation from the Marcus Corporation, a local company.
Theaters Inside the Center
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The Marcus Center has several different stages and spaces for performances and events.
- Uihlein Hall is the largest theater, with seats for 2,125 people. It's used for big shows like operas, musicals, concerts, and dance performances. It was named after the Uihlein family, who owned the famous Schlitz Brewing Company.
- Todd Wehr Theater is a smaller venue that seats 498 people. It's perfect for plays, concerts, and talks.
- Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall can seat 465 people. It's used for a variety of events, from plays and concerts to meetings. This theater was updated in 2017 with a new entrance and lobby.
- Peck Pavilion is a unique outdoor theater right next to the Milwaukee River. It can seat 402 people and is a great place for summer concerts, movies, and even weddings.
Other Spaces
The center also has other rooms and areas for different events:
- Bradley Pavilion is a large hall with glass walls that look out over the river. It's often used for banquets and big parties.
- Studio 4A is a rehearsal hall with large mirrors, used by performers to practice.
- Fitch Garden is a peaceful outdoor garden with a fountain.
On the grounds of the center, you can also see large outdoor sculptures, like Laureate and Trigon.
Famous Performances
Many famous musicians and performers have appeared at the Marcus Center over the years.
In the 1970s, the center hosted jazz legends like Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald. The rock band The Marshall Tucker Band even recorded part of a live album here in 1974.
Later, in the 1980s, country music stars Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash performed, as did the famous violinist Itzhak Perlman.
The first season of Broadway shows at the center was in 1994. It included famous musicals like Grease, Hello, Dolly!, Cats, and The Phantom of the Opera.
See also
- List of concert halls
