The Palace Theatre has been a significant force in Westmoreland County's cultural scene for generations. Opened September 2, 1926, as the Manos Theatre, It today hosts the widest variety of live entertainment in the area in a beautifully renovated 1320-seat facility located across from the county courthouse at 21 West Otterman Street in downtown Greensburg, PA.
The Palace Theatre is home to the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and a regional venue for the River City Brass Band. Productions are mounted regularly by local arts groups, including Laurel Ballet, Stage Right, Greensburg Civic Theatre, Westmoreland Choral Society, and Greensburg Central Catholic High School. Concert promoters bring popular entertainers to the Palace, such as Joan Baez, Buddy Guy, Kevin James, Connie Francis, The Oak Ridge Boys, Penn & Teller, Frankie Avalon, and Keb Mo. The Westmoreland Trust, owner and developer of The Palace since 1990, sponsors national touring musicals and celebrity headliners like Tom Jones, Kenny Rogers, Wayne Newton, Lily Tomlin, Bob Newhart, Lou Rawls, Judy Collins, Neil Sedaka, Ben Vereen, Bill Cosby, Bernadette Peters, Harry Belafonte, Irish Tenor Ronan Tynan, George Carlin, and Paul Anka.
The Palace Theatre Much of the original Manos Theatre remains intact, including the Lobby's candlelight chandelier and golden Grecian marble, black and white floor tiles, and the unique ticket booth at the theatre's entrance. Phase II renovations began in 1996 and included air-conditioning, new stage lighting, a state-of-the-art sound system, and more comfortable and spacious seating installed throughout the entire upper level of the theatre. The original opera boxes were replicated and will be completed by painting the hand-cast, decorative moldings and hanging velvet swags. Two original murals were refurbished alongside the theatre's Loge seats. (A third mural remains hidden under a layer of paint on the ceiling above the orchestra pit!)
Phase III renovations completed in September 2004 gave the newly dedicated Megan's Suite an expanded suite with table seating for guests to enjoy refreshments before the show or during intermission. The most recent renovations include new restrooms for men and women on the main floor and mezzanine levels, drinking fountains, and an elevator. These projects are restoring The Palace to its original state of old-world beauty with modern-day improvements, making it one of the country's finest theatres of its size and type.
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Greensburg, PA 15601