Explore the Splendor of one of America's Most Magnificent Theatres

The Fox Theatre opened in 1929 as one of the crown jewels in William Fox's motion picture empire. C. Howard Crane, one of the most distinguished movie palace architects of the era, designed the Fox at a cost of six million dollars. With a seating capacity of 5060, the Fox was second in size only to New York's Roxy Theatre. It was also one of the first theatres in the country equipped for the latest rage sweeping the movie industry--the "talkie."

The Fox was justifiably billed as "St. Louis' largest and most magnificent temple of amusement." Fox's wife, Eve Leo, filled the theatre with paintings, sculptures amd furnishings gathered from her travels around the world for the astronomical sum of $700,000. For $.35 to $.65 (depending on the time of day) a visitor could buy an entire afternoon or evening in the company of the Fox's own elephants, lions, monkeys, peacocks, and dolphins. Fierce rajahs armed with wicked, curving scimitars glare down from their niches in the lobby. Indian Vishnus meditate on either side of the stage. From the dome in the auditorium hangs a fantastic 2,000-pound chandelier, 12 feet in diameter and glittering with 2,264 pieces of jeweled glass. And, to find a resting place, one couldn't ask for a better vantage point than one of the many gilded velvet throne chairs adorning the lobbies.

A giant four-manual Wurlitzer organ, one of only five of its type ever built, filled the hall with music from its 36 ranks and 2,700 pipes. At a carefully selected moment, the Fox's mightly Wurlitzer would rise from the depths of the theatre in a spectacular blaze of light.

In 1981, the Fox was privately purchased, and an incredible restoration project was launched. With scrupulous attention to detail, thousands of square feet of ornate plaster were recreated: long-lost art glass was beautifully duplicated; 4,500 seats were completely re-upholstered and restored; 7,300 yards of carpet were woven in the original elephant pattern; even the 106 foot hight ceiling was meticulously vacuumed. The awesome chandelier was restored to its original brilliance, and the majestic Wurlitzer organ rebuilt to perform its rapturous melodies.

Also undertaken was the additional task of updating and installing state-of-the-art sound, lighting and stage equipment to handle a wide range of comtemporary entertainment. All this and more was accomplished at an expense in excess of $2 million and within a single year!

TOUR THE FOX THEATRE!
Tours of the Fox Theatre are conducted every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (except holidays) at 10:30am. In addition, private tours can be arranged for groups of 20 or more. Thursday and Saturday tours (and some private tours) include a performance by native St. Louisan Stan Kann, who played the Fox Theatre Wurlitzer for twenty-two years, and is one of the last true theatre organ artists.

Tours also include a visit to Peacock Alley.

Prices for the Tuesday tour are $5 for adults and $3 for children (12 and under). Prices for the Thursday and Saturday tours are $8 for adults and $3 for children. For parties of less than 20, no reservations are needed.

Groups of 20 or more are eligible for special rates, and should make reservations. To schedule a group tour, please contact Ed Schroeder at EdS@foxstl.com, or call 314.657.5068.

Please note that if the stage is in use on a scheduled tour day, the backstage and dressing room areas WILL NOT be included in the tour, and Stan Kann will play the smaller lobby organ instead of the main organ in the auditorium.

Free parking is available for Fox tours! The parking attendant in the lot behind the Fox (off Washington) will direct you to the appropriate parking location.

SPECIAL LUNCHEON OPTIONS FOR GROUPS!

For groups of 25 or more:

A gourmet box lunch served in the private Fox Club, including the tour and a Stan Kann performance at the organ, is available for $20 per person.

For groups of 50 or more

In addition to receiving the tour of our historic theatre, including a performance by Stan Kann at the organ, groups of 50 or more can enjoy an elegant lunch buffet in the private Fox Club for only $30 per person.

For more details, call Ed Schroeder at 314.657.5068.