Empress Theatre
540 Woodward Avenue,
Detroit,
MI
48226
540 Woodward Avenue,
Detroit,
MI
48226
1 person
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The Empress Theatre operated as a movie theatre by John Kunsky in around 1910. It was a burlesque theatre in the 1950’s.
It had a band shell and large velvet drapes that drapped the stage. The seating was typical theater seating. The ladies would get ready in the basement which had several make up stations. The back door opened to the alley.
Contributed by
Wynne Winslow
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Recent comments (view all 12 comments)
reva..I worked there also .Shiek was our stage hand.He controled all the music & curtains.He also rented rooms out to some of the girls & let some room for free when down on their luck.Hope to hear back from you.
Now that reads a bit weird..lol..I meant to add plus Shiek also rented to male entertainers.Could someone please post info as to how I reach Reva ? I know a woman in Toledo who knew Shiek well. Thanks
Gabby my grandmother worked there too. I would LOVE to know if you knew anything about her. She passed away at a young age
Her name was Melba and I hear she went by the name Fancy Deal but hat could be wrong. Also do you know of any archived photos or what happened to the stuff that was in the theater when they tore it down?
Yay! I am excited to talk! I emailed you
Oh and in case you don’t get my email my address is
wilbur01//GOT IT ! Sent reply..Now On With The Show ..I will be trying to contact Toledo friend & hope I get some info from her.. Hope this all turns out great for you.
P.S. wilbur01..So very sorry to hear of her passing..
gabby its reva listen my email address is I just found out you were trying to reach me I am also trying to find you please email me as soon as possible thank you gabby
The Empress Theatre was mentioned in the August 29, 1914 issue of Moving Picture World: