Palace Theatre
61 Atlantic Street,
Stamford,
CT
06901
61 Atlantic Street,
Stamford,
CT
06901
3 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Stamford Center For the Arts (Official)
Additional Info
Architects: Thomas White Lamb
Functions: Concerts, Live Performances
Styles: Renaissance Revival
Previous Names: Stamford Center for the Arts
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
203.325.4466
Nearby Theaters
The Palace Theatre was designed by Thomas W. Lamb, opening on June 2, 1927 with Karl Dane in “Rookies” and 5-acts of vaudeville on the stage. It remains one of the grandest theatres ever built in the state.
Originally seating over 1,900, the former vaudeville house was later converted for movies and remained that way for nearly fifty years.
Restored and reopened in 1983 for live theatre and concerts and seating reduced to 1,580, the Palace Theatre has recently completed a major renovation which added new dressing rooms, enlarged the stage, new technical facilities and various other improvements.
In addition to the Palace Theatre, the Stamford Center for the Arts includes the Rich Forum, also in downtown Stamford, which opened in 1992.
Contributed by
Roger Smith
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 24 comments)
View link
I picked up a new publication at Bethel Cinema called “TheatreCT” but it’s mostly for acting theater, but they do mention new things going on with the Palace in Stamford and Waterbury and the Warner Theater in Torrington.
There’s a spread on the Palace in Stamford on pages 24-27 and some nice pictures of the marquee and of the inside looking at the balconies.
They use the nice plug title of “Stamford, a Rich Forum for Connecticut Culture” and it’s about how it’s quickly becoming a mecca for film and theater.
“Partly due to its proximity to Broadway, its theater community serves as both a training ground for budding artists and as a professional theater hub in its own right. Stamford Theatre Works and the Stamford Center for the Arts…incorporates the Rich Forum and the Stamford Palace Theatre, which recently enjoyed a renovation. In 2008, Stamford Theatre Works, an equity theater…will move into the Palace…making SCA a major theater center.
They also mention the other cinemas in town.
Also known as Vuono’s Palace.
First listed in the 1928 Stamford City Directory as showing moving pictures and vaudeville. In 1934 the name is changed to Vuono’s Palace until 1936 then reverts back to the Palace. (In 1961, the Hartman Regional Theater moves in, they move out in 1981 to Glenbrook Road.)
The Palace’s website has changed – it is now http://www.stamfordcenterforthearts.org/home.cfm#
The website has a couple “virtual tour” photos. Nicely renovated!
Some nice insight into local vaudeville. View link
“The theater in Town Hall had its own tragedy in store. In 1904, it burned to the ground, as did the Grand Opera House – which stood at the site of today’s Palace Theatre.”
Don’t know if any one you have heard as it’s been all the rage and protest as of late, but 3 NBC shows have moved into the Palace (no more Rich) and brought with them some controversy. Jerry Springer and the Steve Wilkos show as well as Maury Povich have moved their families here (sans Wilkos) and will be taping their shows at the Palace on rotating sets. The good news is that it will bring 150-200 production jobs, will pay $1.3 million for the 2-year lease with an option to extend and they will refurbish the theatre to the tune of $3 million.
A few months ago, the nearby church was peeved about Springer.
View link
Nice to see thats its still up and running.
Just to clarify, the TV shows are taped at the Rich Forum. The Palace is still offering live shows.
Opened June 2nd, 1927. Grand opening ad posted.