Yes--the building is cold if you see a performance in the winter and yes it is dated. Would you like to get the insiders scoop on the best things to do and experience in Detroit? Is this an accurate statement? Check out our event listings and view tickets for shows at Bonstelle Theatre located at 3424 Woodward Avenue. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. DETROIT - The first AC Hotel in southeast Michigan is slated to open at the historic Bonstelle Theatre in Detroit.. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. We have attended about four (4) performances in the past 2 years. Disclaimer: Please note that location entries may feature older photos or post card views that may not represent the . Track your tickets along their route with UPS tracking! This includes houses of worship, but does not include schools. October 20th, 1933 grand opening ad in photo section. C. Howard Crane was hired to convert the building into a theater. It really was an enjoyable afternoon and I look forward to next season. Located on the east side of Woodward Avenue, between Eliot and Erskine Streets, the temple was built on a lot 100 feet wide and 200 feet deep. Capacity: 1200. This building also was designed by Kahn. It was, until the 1920s, the largest Jewish house of worship in Detroit. During the 1940s, Waynes thespians used makeshift spaces for rehearsal and performance, including rented spaces in churches, a garage on Putnam Street, the Masonic Temple, and the Detroit Institute of Arts auditorium. It was originally built in 1902 as the Temple Beth-El, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Waynes theater program made several trips overseas, starting with a tour in India in 1958. affiliated with Ticketmaster or any venues, teams, performers or organizations. below and hit GO! A pedimented extension on the front once extended into a porch; the front section of the building was lost when the city widened Woodward Avenue in 1936.[2]. We are not Known then as Mary Jean Tomlin, she had a small part in the play Madwoman of Chaillot during the 1960-61 season and a larger role as Georgette the following year in The School for Wives. Ernie Hudson of Ghostbusters fame also took to its stage. The synagogues growing membership meant that the congregation needed a larger temple. current market price, which is usually above the face value printed on the tickets. Under Bonstelles direction, the company gained national respect. In 1922, the Temple Beth El moved north, to Woodward and Gladstone, near the affluent Boston-Edison neighborhood. Bonstelle Theatre to present 'A Christmas Carol' | Arts & Entertainment The women of Detroit show off their skills; Artist Chido Johnson taps into his multicultural background to create his pieces; Comic book illustrator Allen Bellman takes us into the world behind the superheroes; Critic Car Detroit shares another citizen review on a local arts event. The idea is to give Wayne State undergraduate students a venue to perform and showcase their talents and that is what the Bonstelle does. DETROIT, Mich.Jukebox musicals are pretty much money in the bank. [3][4], When Rabbi Leo M. Franklin first began leading services at Detroit's Temple Beth El in 1899, he felt that the construction of a new temple building on Detroit's "Piety Row" stretch of Woodward would increase the visibility and prestige of Detroit's Jewish community. Central High School was constructed to replace City High and Central is now known as Old Main, one of the oldest buildings on WSUs campus. Working in tandem with Patrick Thompson Design, our team was selected by the Roxbury Group to design a hotel that is sympathetic to the historic context of the 115-year-old theatre while providing a modern . [1] As of 2023[update], the Bonstelle is planned to be renovated and integrated into a newly-constructed hotel. Bonstelle Theatre Tickets | Schedule for 2023/2024 Events Read our. Bonstelle Theatre, Detroit: answers to questions about Bonstelle Theatre: See 4 reviews, articles, and 5 photos of Bonstelle Theatre, ranked No.104 on Tripadvisor among 397 attractions in Detroit. The Bonstelle is planned to be renovated and integrated into an adjacent hotel by AC Hotels, which is expected to open in 2024. The seats were comfortable and the view of the stage was perfect. It has been years since I have been here but I know I won't wait that long again . With a stable home, audiences attending Wayne plays grew: from 20,466 in 1948-49 to 50,204 in 1953-54, an interdepartmental memo from Leonard Leone, the theaters director. This new temple also was designed by Kahn. Password Should Be 8-16 Characters Long, Alphanumeric With One Special Character, Password Should Not Be More Than 50 Characters. Built in 1902 as a Temple Beth-El, the building was remade into a gorgeous theater. Ticket sales for WSU productions continued to rise, as a record number of people around 130,500 bought tickets for the 1966 season. By 1910, when the temple celebrated its 60th anniversary, the congregation had 422 members. Please read the Terms [2] Accordingly, in October 1900, the congregation held a special meeting at which it was decided to build a new temple. Until then, the official name of the theater was the clunky Wayne University Theatre. 7. After nearly two decades showing first-run films, the Mayfair Theatre returned to legitimate theatre in 1951 after it was acquired for the drama department of Wayne State University. Bonstelle had conducted a company at the Garrick Theatre for 15 years before finding a permanent home with the former Temple Beth El. Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Architect Albert Kahn's exterior design for Temple Beth-El has been compared closely to the Pantheon in Rome. We finally had a theater for our exclusive use that was truly a theater. The editorial was already calling the theater the Bonstelle a name that would crop up periodically throughout Waynes ownership of the building. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Seating was increased to 1,200 and a stage built. The students (actors and musicians) did an exceptional job providing a very entertaining performance. What is now known as the Bonstelle Theatre has had a long and varied life. Our magnificent new temple and Sabbath school, that shall be your pride as it is mine, and as it shall be that of every Jew in the community, if not indeed of every public spirited citizen monuments your seal and energy in behalf of a sacred cause the cause of religion and a nobler community, Rabbi Leo M. Franklin was quoted as saying in the Jewish American (predecessor to Detroit Jewish News) during the annual meeting of the Congregation Beth El in 1902. The Bonstelle Theatre is a theater operated by Wayne State University, and located at 3424 Woodward Avenue in the Midtown Woodward Historic District of Detroit, Michigan. I'm sure if you have a group of 50 looking to attend one of their performances they would be accommodating. Groundbreaking took place on November 25, 1901, with the ceremonial cornerstone laid on April 23, 1902. In 1951, the theater was acquired by Wayne State University, which restored its name and function as a theatre. Lily Tomlin and Tom Skerritt are among those to have gotten their acting starts at the Bonstelle Theatre. Bonstelle Theatre3424 Woodward Ave. Transportation Services. [6] There is a prominent dome over the main area of the temple, with gabled wings on the north and south. Unfortunately, this wouldnt be the last time the theater ran into financial difficulties. Info; Nearby (1,416) Among the actors who got their start with the Bonstelle stock theater company were George Seaton, who was the voice of the Lone Ranger on WXYZ; Sidney Blackmer (who later appeared in Rosemarys Baby); Katharine Cornell; Gale Sondergaard and Melvyn Douglas. In 1951, Wayne State University rented the facility as a performance space for its theater company, and purchased it outright in 1956, renaming it the Bonstelle Theatre in honor of Jessie Bonstelle. per adult (price varies by group size) Self Guided "Detroit's Spirit and History" Solo Walking Tour. [5], The temple is a Beaux-Arts structure influenced primarily by Roman and Greek temples. A look at the north facade of the former theater. The actual performance was really, really good. Air date: 7/29/14. Share and invite your friends to contribute. Address: 3424 Woodward Ave. City: Detroit. Waynes Old Main had an auditorium, but after the surge of student enrollment following World War II, that space was appropriated for other uses. Take the first step and sign up for the Detroit Vibe email update. The entire cast was had me riveted. It had closed and had been abandoned by May 2023 due to the opening of the new Hilberry Gateway Performance Art venue. And while Wayne States production stays pretty close to the story DETROIT, Mich. Theres nothing like A Christmas Carol to get you in the holiday spirit by reminding theater-goers of the innumerable rewards of repentance Mama Mia, thats a funny show at Wayne State, Wayne States Scrooge delivers Dickens with exceptional production, Good Humbug from Wayne State at Bonstelle. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Ticket prices are dependent upon the The Bonstelle Theatre was originally the Temple Beth El synagogue, designed by architect Albert Kahn who belonged to the congregation. Bonstelle Theatre, Detroit: See 4 reviews, articles, and 5 photos of Bonstelle Theatre, ranked No.102 on Tripadvisor among 155 attractions in Detroit. Bonstelle Theatre Historic Detroit Not a horrible place to watch a show. I would have enjoyed the performance more if I did have to keep my winter coat and scarf on the entire time. For the shows which we have attended I have seen "portly" attendees and they appeared fine. The Bonstelle Theater in April 2023. The Bonstelle Theatre at 3424 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201. 2023 Concerts and Events at Bonstelle Theatre, Detroit MI, Bonstelle It reopened a year later on October 20, 1933 as a movie house, now called the Mayfair Theatre. Bonstelle remained as the theaters managing director. Bonstelle Theatre is located at 3424 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI. However, fate was going to bring theater back to the Bonstelle again. No concessions found. The Road to a Green New Deal with Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Abdul El-Sayed Fri., April 19, 6 p.m. 2019 Legal/Privacy Policy, The whole world knows it Detroit is THE Motor City. Jessie Bonstelles ghost is said to haunt the theater. On May 13, 1952, Leonard N. Simons, a Jewish businessman and member of Wayne State University Press editorial board, was elected president of the Temple Beth El. New AC hotel to open in Midtown Detroit, next to Bonstelle Theatre Under Franklins direction, the congregation instituted the unassigned seating system and reached out to young Jews by expanding the temples religious school. I have about 50 in my group and a slim tight seat with little leg room would make for a poor experience for us. Designed by Albert Kahn, the synagogue was constructed in grandiose Neo-Classical style, imitating the Pantheon in Rome, complete with a large dome and pedimented and colonaded facade, the synagogue was as ornate inside as out, with marble floors, gilding everywhere and intricate mosaic work. Set yourself up with hassle-free, Bring the whole family to Detroit for an educational and fun vacation. Renovation efforts seem ongoing. Number of visits to this page: 3850. Copyright 2023 Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau. Bonstelle Theatre Venue Address: 3424 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48202, United States of America Bonstelle Theatre | Detroit Performs Full Episode - YouTube And the domed, columned building at 3424 Woodward was quickly renamed, perhaps so it wouldnt be confused with its successor. What type of location are you collecting? The Bonstelle Theatre: Serving Detroit for 115 Years Today! $$ - $$$ American Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options, $$ - $$$ Mexican American Caribbean, $$ - $$$ Chinese Asian Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ Bakeries Cafe Vegan Options, $$ - $$$ American Bar Vegetarian Friendly, $ Asian Vietnamese Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ Latin Mediterranean Spanish, Opportunity To See and Support Raw Talent. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. 5Detroit Fire Department Repair Shop, Hull's Trace North Huron River Corduroy Segment, Jefferson AvenueHuron River and Harbin DriveSilver Creek Canal Bridges, Michigan Bell and Western Electric Warehouse, Michigan State Fair Riding Coliseum, Dairy Cattle Building, and Agricultural Building, Parke-Davis and Company Pharmaceutical Company Plant, Phillip and Maria Hasselbach Dingledey House, Prentis Building and DeRoy Auditorium Complex, Rosa L. 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The congregations third temple was designed by Minoru Yamasaki, who designed a number of buildings on Wayne States campus, One Woodward Avenue and the World Trade Center in New York, among other landmarks. In 2019, the University reached an agreement to lease the theatre to Detroit-based development firm The Roxbury Group. Evelyn Aschenbrenner is author of "A History of Wayne State University in Photographs" (2009, Wayne State University Press). The Bonstelle Theatre opened in 1903 as the Temple Beth El synagogue before it was renamed the Bonstelle Playhouse when the synagogue moved in 1925. With a mobile-friendly and easy-to-use interactive seating chart, we've made it simple for you to discover amazing seats. Find cheaps tickets to your next event at the Bonstelle Theatre. They also had a five-year lease and the option to purchase in the amount of $135,000 (about $1.2 million). Detroit-based Roxbury Group recently entered into a long-term master lease of the Bonstelle with Wayne State University. Detroit-based Patrick Thompson Design will led the projects design and the Christman Co. will manage construction. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Those in our group who have attended are moderate/plus builds and we have been fine. After the Depression shuttered the Bonstelle, it reopened in late 1933 as a two-screen movie house. Former classrooms became the stage floor, balconies were added, and a false ceiling was suspended over Kahns plaster design to deal with the issue of acoustics.