Marion
Ohio
The Marion Palace Theatre
Built in 1928 and renovated in 1976, this atmospheric theatre surrounds the audience with a Moorish courtyard and the feeling of being entertained under twinkling stars and circulating clouds at dusk. The effect is produced by the original (reconditioned) revolutionary cloud machine in a hidden location.The Palace was designed by the great theatre architect John Eberson, nicknamed "Opera House John," for his magnificent theatres. Actual stuffed birds are suspended in the theatre for realism, while his signature parrot is perched in an alcove on the west wall. Try and spot it the next time you visit the Palace.
The courtyard walls are adorned by classic sculptures that were mass produced by his company to allow the completion of the theatre to be done in record time. One sculpture has George Washington dressed in Masonic garb looking down from the East balcony.
The theatre was built featuring "every seat with a perfect view." Even seats beneath the cantilever balcony are completely unobstructed. Seating capacity is 1,445.
The original Page Organ was sold in the early 1970's to help pay the bills. For the reopening in 1976, a "mighty" Wurlitzer theatre organ was installed. It sits in the orchestra pit upon a rising hydraulic platform. Pipes for the organ are hidden behind a great screen on either side of the stage, built to look like courtyard windows.
The theatre was originally designed to be economically sustaining with 5 insert stores and several suites above the lobby. All of this area has now been incorporated into office or meeting rooms for the theatre.
The Palace features a dramatic entrance with a marquee of 560 clear bulbs underneath while another 375 bulbs light up the Palace sign which rises more than 50 feet above the marquee. The Palace is one of only 16 Eberson atmospheric theatres left in the world, and it is an attraction that should not be missed.
As the cultural home to Marion and the surrounding seven county area, the Palace is constantly undergoing many updates to enhance our patrons' visits. The Palace stage showcases entertainment from local talent and top name performers throughout the year. It is also the center of attention to hundreds of school-aged children as they gather to enjoy educational entertainment from our School Matinee Series. And during the summer, children ages 6 to 14 years are given the opportunity to take part in a theatre camp and perform on the historic Marion Palace Theatre stage.
Whether for a movie, a youth theatre camp, or a live performance, we're sure this is one place you will want to visit again and again.
Upcoming Events at The Marion Palace Theatre
Recent News
Audition Date Announced for Lend Me A Tenor
Marion, OH – The Marion Palace Theatre is thrilled to announce its latest production, the laugh-out-loud comedy "Lend Me a Tenor." This adult play, set in the uproarious world of 1930s opera, promises a blend of mistaken identities, delightful…
Read More »The Church Basement Ladies Serve Up An All-New Christmas Program Away In The Basement: A Church Basement Ladies Christmas
And out of the basement shall come a Church Basement program of good tidings, great humor and joy! The ladies are serving it up again, this time around it’s an all-new holiday show. Troupe America, Inc., the Producer of the nationally…
Read More »Join the Musical Celebration and Make Memories to Last a Lifetime with Grammy Award Winners All-4-One
Marion, OH - The Palace Cultural Arts Association (PCAA) is pleased to bring Grammy Award Winners All-4-One to the main stage on Friday, November 3. The Palace is located at 276 West Center Street in downtown Marion, Ohio. Prepare to be swept…
Read More »Marion Palace Theatre announces 2023 Summer Musical: Disney's Beauty and the Beast
The Marion Palace Theatre is proud to announce our 2023 Summer Musical: Disney's Beauty and the Beast! Be our guest as we kick off the 2023-2024 Season of Enchantment with this 'tale as old as time' July 8, 9 & 10 and July 15 & 16. Tickets…
Read More »You Can Volunteer At The Marion Palace Theatre
SUMMARY: YOU CAN VOLUNTEER AT THE MARION PALACE THEATRE Marion, OH – Wednesday, April 19th at 6:00 PM at the Marion Palace Theatre, Palace volunteer coordinator, Morgan Schwartz will meet with potential Palace volunteers during an…
Read More »What's Happening At The Marion Palace Theatre
Summary: What's Happening at the Marion Palace Theatre February 23 at 7:30 - Thursday Night Trivia Led by Executive Director Kirk Detweiler, Thursday Night Trivia returns February 24th at 7:30pm in the May Pavilion! (No Food Truck this week) …
Read More »This Week At The Marion Palace Theatre - January 16, 2023
Line Dancing with Kirk - Jan 09 - Feb 13 Led by Executive Director Kirk Detweiler, line dancers will learn the newest steps, practice fun dance techniques, and dance to a variety of songs from all genres including Country, disco, and hip-hop.…
Read More »This Week At The Marion Palace Theatre - January 9, 2023
Line Dancing with Kirk - Jan 09 - Feb 13 Led by Executive Director Kirk Detweiler, line dancers will learn the newest steps, practice fun dance techniques, and dance to a variety of songs from all genres including Country, disco, and hip-hop.…
Read More »You Can Volunteer at the Marion Palace
Marion, OH – On Saturday, January 14th at 2:00 PM at the Marion Palace Theatre, Palace volunteer coordinator, Morgan Schwartz will meet with potential Palace volunteers during an orientation session. The Palace hopes to continue building its…
Read More »The Marion Palace Theatre - October 2022
SUMMARY: Exciting Line-up of October Events at the Marion Palace Theatre Marion, OH – Thursday, October 13th at 7:30pm the Marion Palace Theatre brings back Trivia Nights in the May Pavillion with host Kirk Detweiler. Are you looking…
Read More »The Marion Palace Theatre - PSA : Volunteer Orientation Announced
Saturday, October 15that 10:00 AM at the Marion Palace Theatre, Palace volunteer coordinator, Morgan Schwartz will meet with potential Palace volunteers during an orientation session. The Palace hopes to continue building its volunteer program with…
Read More »The Marion Palace Theatre - Where the Crawdads Sing Coming to the Marion Palace this Weekend
The Palace Cultural Arts Association is pleased to bring a recent release based on the best-selling book, WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING, to the historic Marion Palace Theatre big screen on September 2, 3 & 4. The theatre is located at 276 W. Center…
Read More »The Marion Palace Theatre - Audition Date Announced for Disney’s Moana, Jr.
The Palace Theatre is gearing up to bring a Disney animated favorite, Moana, to life on stage this October. In preparations for the production, “Disney’s Moana, Jr.”, Marion Palace Theatre Executive Director Kirk Detweiler…
Read More »The Marion Palace Theatre - Minions: The Rise of Gru this weekend at the Marion Palace Theatre
Brace Yourselves for Minions: The Rise of Gru The Palace Cultural Arts Association is pleased to bring the family-friendly movie, MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU, to the historic Marion Palace Theatre big screen on August 5, 6 & 7. The theatre is…
Read More »The Marion Palace Theatre to Host Two Live Events in the Month of August
Marion, OH -- The Palace Cultural Arts Association (PCAA) is pleased to announce two live events will take place during the month of August at the Marion Palace Theatre. An Evening With Friends is a fundraiser in support of the Marion Palace…
Read More »The Marion Palace Theatre : Volunteer Orientation Announced
Marion, OH – Saturday, July 23rd at 10:00am at the Marion Palace Theatre, Palace volunteer coordinator, Morgan Schwartz, will meet with potential Palace volunteers during an orientation session. The Palace hopes to continue building a…
Read More »Marion Palace Theatre Hosting Events for Summer Fun
Marion, Ohio – The Palace Cultural Arts Association (PCAA) has a lineup for the Summer that features two movie weekends, an adult comedy show, and a local production. June kicks off with the first of two movie weekends featured throughout…
Read More »Marion Palace Theatre Hosting Events for Summer Fun
Marion, OH -- The Palace Cultural Arts Association (PCAA) has a lineup for the Summer that features two movie weekends, an adult comedy show, and a local production. June kicks off with the first of two movie weekends featured throughout the…
Read More »Marion Palace Theatre Announces 94th Season Line-Up And Annual Membership Drive
Marion Palace Theatre Executive Director Kirk Detweiler announces the theatre’s 94th season schedule, which runs from July 2022 through June 2022. Included in the lineup are 9 national touring artists, 5 local Palace Productions, Music &…
Read More »