The Fox is a performing arts venue located at Midtown, Atlanta and is the centerpiece of the Fox Theatre Historic District. The Fox Theatre (often referred to as the Fabulous Fox) was once a movie palace.
An estimated 750,000 people visit the Fox every year.
The Fox Theatre is the place in the Atlanta to catch everything from the B-52s to Chelsea Handler to a summer movie series sponsored by Atlanta’s most famous local band. At the Fox you can enjoy the schedule of Broadway Across America touring shows.
Between events, you can book behind-the-scenes tours of the palatial, Egyptian-style venue, including the largest working Moller theatre organ in the world, “Mighty Mo,” built in 1929.
If you’re feeling like splurging, buy a ticket to experience the Marquee Club before a show with its premium amenities, gourmet bits, and handcrafted cocktails.
History
The theater was originally planned as part of a large Shrine Temple as evidenced by its Moorish design.
The 4,665-seat auditorium was ultimately developed as a lavish movie theater in the Fox Theatres chain and opened in 1929.
The original architecture and décor of the Fox can be roughly divided into two architectural styles: Islamic architecture (building exterior, auditorium, Grand Salon, mezzanine Gentlemen's Lounge and lower Ladies Lounge) and Egyptian architecture (Egyptian Ballroom, mezzanine Ladies Lounge and lower Gentlemen's Lounge).
The Egyptian Ballroom is designed after a temple for Ramses II at Karnak while the mezzanine Ladies Lounge features a replica of the throne chair of King Tut and makeup tables that feature tiny Sphinxes. The Islamic sections feature a number of ablution fountains, which are currently kept dry.
The Fox hosts a variety of cultural and artistic events including the Atlanta Ballet, a summer film series, and performances by national touring companies of Broadway shows. The venue also hosts occasional concerts by popular artists.
In 1974, the Fox’s doors closed, seemingly forever. This stunning landmark, beloved for generations, was suddenly facing demolition.
Confronted with the possibility of losing their beloved landmark, the residents of Atlanta sprang into action. They created a non-profit called Atlanta Landmarks and launched the now-legendary “Save The Fox” campaign, which raised funds through every possible means – collecting donations from both public and private organizations, organizing benefit concerts featuring everyone from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Liberace, even collecting pennies at local businesses, all to save the Fox from what seemed a certain fate.
Saving the Fox truly was a community achievement, a journey of a thousand small steps. Of the $3 million raised, no single donation was over $400,000; the vast majority of the fund was made up of small personal donations from Atlanta residents' intent on rescuing this stunning structure.
In 1975, after months of painstaking restoration efforts, the Fox opened its doors once again, to the joy and celebration of the patrons and employees who had pulled it from the brink of disaster.
The restoration was both a lengthy and expensive process. Luckily, much of the original décor had survived and new pieces were created with the help of old photographs.
Today, the Fox appears much as it did when it opened, with some additions that were in the original plans but had to be scrapped in the 1920s due to financial constraints. Other changes have been made to bring the building up to current safety codes.
For visitors curious about the colorful history of the unforgettable Fox, or just itching for a close-up look at the beautiful building, the Fox is pleased to offer tours of the theatre.
These 60-minute tours are guided by dedicated Fox employees who relish the opportunity to provide intimate firsthand details about the theatre’s remarkable story, and give guests an unprecedented look at Atlanta’s favorite theatre.
See what's happening at the Fabulous Fox.
