Morris Performing Arts Center

Here’s some info from their website. This beautiful place was built in 1922 and is a mix of styles including Baroque, Art Deco, Spanish Rennaisance, and Greco-Roman. There are 2501 seats or 2560 if they use the pit for seating. I saw Brad Paisley (country singer) here last Saturday, May 22, 2004 and was in the first row pit. He pulled me on stage because of my t-shirt (Notre Dame) and I had the great opportunity to stand on stage and look out over the audience of 2100 people all looking at me in this beautiful place. Once in a lifetime experience! I live 1 mile from here so I’m in this theatre all the time and I just recently volunteered as an usher and am awaiting the phone call for my first show as an usher. Come see this place, it’s worth the trip! One intesting piece of trivia…someone bombed the restaurant that was once on the corner attached to this theatre in 1935. It was called the Palace Cafe and the bombs (3 of them) were set off by the owner as part of an insurance scam. I think he went to jail but I’m 100 percent sure on this. The bombs didn’t damage the theatre, fortunately, but they really trashed the restaurant. Bricks everywhere. Incidently, they are currently renovating that space and will be opening a new restaurant (The Vine) shortly. They also announced recently that they will be opening a little restaurant in the basement of the main theatre to be open for lunch only Monday through Friday and they will serve Panini sandwiches along with a bunch of other stuff. Opening day is June 14, 2004 and I’ll be there. My job at Memorial Hospital is just a short way down the street. Great to see this theatre thriving when so many have disappeared over the years. Wish this could happen in all the cities!!! One cool thing….I got a brick that was once part of this theatre when they added on a huge stagehouse to accomodate modern rock groups and all the stuff they bring along with them. Recent bands to play here in which I was in attendance: Jethro Tull, Gordon Lightfoot, Brad Paisley, Sevendust (tomorrow night and I’m in the first row pit, again), Alice Cooper, Chicago, Queensryche, Godsmack (4th row for this one), Train, Ted Nugent (VERY loud), REO Speedwagon (front row pit), Sammy Hagar, The South Bend Symphony, Cats, The Nutcracker, Snow White, Opera La Boheme (Verdi), The Sound of Music. Upcoming in July: Jewel, John Fogerty, Eddie Money. I’m broke from buying tickets, but I love this theatre!