CANTON − The Palace Theatre will turn back the clock in November with a special weekend of events celebrating its 100th anniversary.
Performances will include In the Heartland − The Music of Michael Stanley Band on Nov. 20. An Evening with Kristin Chenoweth, a Broadway and TV star, will follow Nov. 21. And opening night in 1926 will be recreated Nov. 22, featuring vaudeville entertainment with the 1920s movie, “Lambchops” starring George Burns and Gracie Allen, the work of late magician Carl Rosini, the short film “A Cycle of Songs,” and Ruiz and Bonita in “Their Dances Supreme.”
“The Palace has been the heart of entertainment in downtown Canton for generations,” Executive Director Georgia Paxos said in a prepared statement. “This weekend is a celebration of everyone who has helped preserve the extraordinary landmark and the countless memories created here over the past 100 years.”
Rare screening of ‘College Days’
The “Reliving November 22, 1926, Back to Opening” event will also feature a rare screening of the silent romantic comedy, “College Days,” the second motion picture ever shown at the Palace in 1926. The film is believed to be making its first public screening in more than 90 years.
Enhancing the experience will be musical accompaniment by Jay Spencer on the Palace’s historic Kilgen Wonder Organ, joined by the 16-piece Palace Concert Orchestra under the direction of Joseph N. Rubin, “recreating the grandeur of the original opening celebration,” a press release said.
“The Centennial Celebration Weekend is both a tribute to the theater’s remarkable past and an invitation for the community to help launch its next 100 years,” the venue announced.
The Nov. 20 event will also feature the local musical acts Kerosene, members of New Wave Nation, and Saxy Rob before headliner In The Heartland − The Music of Michael Stanley Band takes the stage.
In The Heartland features former Michael Stanley Band guitarist Danny Powers.
Chenowith is a Tony and Emmy Award winning actor and singer known for her performances in the Broadway production of “Wicked,” the musical “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and the television series “Pushing Daisies.”
She also had a recurring role on the NBC mockumentary sitcom “Stumble” about the competitive world of junior college cheerleading. The TV show ran one season from March 2025 to November 2026 and is available to stream on Peacock.
Chenoweth, who received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, also had television roles in “The West Wing,” “Glee” and “Schmigadoon!” Voice acting work has included the animated movies, “The Peanuts Movie,” “My Little Pony: The Movie” and “Tinker Bell.”
‘Cultural cornerstone’
Palace Theatre is known for its atmospheric theater architecture and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. After nearly being demolished decades ago, the Palace Theatre has still been in use, including for concerts, films, educational programming and theatrical productions, as well as hosting community performances.
Venue operators said the Palace is a “cultural cornerstone for Northeast Ohio.”
Palace Theatre undergoing $19 million improvement project
The Palace Theatre is undergoing renovations and an expansion as part of a $19 million project.
This past spring, the Palace held a wall-breaking ceremony to mark the start of phase two of the Palace 100 Project, which commemorates the building’s 100th anniversary.
The project includes adding more than 20 feet to the stage, loading docks for trucks, a second lobby, premium seating closer to the stage, new and additional restrooms, and increased accessibility for those with disabilities.
Dressing rooms will be modernized, and a meet-and-greet area for entertainers and their fans will be added. Parking, in the rear of the building, will be added for buses and trucks. Seating will be added to the balcony. And concession and bar areas will be added.
None of those projects will be completed and functional for the November anniversary celebration, Paxos said.
She said she’s hopeful the renovated and expanded theater will be unveiled in November 2027.
Fundraising is ongoing
More than $11 million has been raised for the project so far.
Besides fundraising and local contributions, local foundations and state funds also have made the project possible. Federal funding is also being sought, as well as historic preservation tax credits.
For more information about the project and to donate, go to cantonpalace100.com. For more information about the November anniversary celebration and tickets, go to: cantonpalacetheatre.org.
Reach Ed at ed.balint@cantonrep.com. Follow on Instagram at ed_balint and TikTok @edwardbalint.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton Palace Theatre marking 100th anniversary with Kristin Chenoweth
Reporting by Ed Balint, Canton Repository / The Repository
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ed Balint, Canton Repository | USA TODAY Network
