Whitney’s Opera House (Detroit - 1875)
Photo Courtesy Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection.
Status: Building no longer exists, demolished in the 1890s for the Federal Building.
It’s hard to imagine just how grand Whitney’s Opera House appeared to those lucky enough to obtain tickets for its September 13, 1875, opening. In addition to hearing a dedication speech by Col. Sylvester Larned and watching a comedy called “Long Assurance,” theatregoers enjoyed their first opportunity to examine and enjoy the interior decorations, carried out by the William Wright Co.
Located at Fort and Shelby Streets, the main auditorium measured 77 feet wide by 72 deep and 60 feet tall. Seating for 1350 filled the main floor and multiple balconies. Rose tinted walls wrapped around the space, which was crowned by a two-level vaulted ceiling. A brilliant gold star shone at its center, from which hung a chandelier measuring 13 ½ feet in diameter and containing 250 gas jets.
“The cove of the ceiling is divided into compartments, decorated in the most lavish manner in gold and color, and alternating with panels of figure subjects above life size executed in a style to compel more than passing attention. The panels contain female figures representing respectively Poetry, Music, the Birth of the Drama, Tragedy and Comedy, each being attended by a group of boys [probably putti] with appropriate emblems,” The Free Press reported.
“The central portion of the ceiling is divided into radiating panels with medallions containing each an Amorette playing a musical instrument. Gold is freely used throughout, and the general effect is in the highest degree.”
Sources: “The Opening.” The [Detroit] Free Press. September 14, 1875.
“Whitney’s Opera House.” The [Detroit] Free Press. September 11, 1875.
The Grand Opera House (Detroit - 1886)
The block which houses the Grand Opera House, the sign for which is shown protruding above the roofline in the center of the block.
Photos Courtesy of Detroit Public Library Burton Historical Collection
Status: Theater changed ownership and closed in 1928 before being converted into retail and garage space. Building no longer exists.
In 1886, the new Grand Opera House opened its doors on Randolph Street to roughly 2,500 theatregoers who found themselves transported to a Moorish interior, executed in blues and antique gold. Textured gold scrolls floated on the walls, and above the private boxes bright colored glass glimmered in the gas light.
The Wright Company also used a combination of gas lighting and colored glass to interesting effect in the large theatre lobby. “The foyer . . . is a little gem of a drawing-room, with its stately fireplace and mantel in antique oak. In this fireplace is a novelty in the shape of an ever-living fire of live coals, produced my [sic] means of chunks of glass in the fire-box illumined by means of gas light back of the glass.”
Newspaper coverage likewise noted the colored glass incorporated in the corridors leading to the lowest curved tier of seats. “Just beyond the ticket office on the left is the passage way to the dress circle, while silver plated rails and stained glass doors indicate the dividing line between the corridor and the vestibule. The decorations of these departments, as well as the stained glass, are the production of Wm. Wright & Co. Strong primary colors, red, old gold and blue, are used here to excellent advantage, the same general Moorish outline being preserved.”
Sources:“The New Grand.” The [Detroit] Free Press. September 12, 1886.
The Temple Theater (Detroit - 1908)
Exterior image courtesy of Detroit Public Library Burton Historical Collection; interior photos courtesy of Library of Congress.
Status: Building no longer exists, theatre portion demolished in 1935 and front portion demolished in 1966.
Like many other businessmen, theatre owners felt frequent pressure to upgrade their facilities and provide customers with a newly enhanced and improved experience. Thus in 1908, only seven years after opening, the Elks Temple Theatre closed for three weeks for a quick redecoration by the William Wright Company. In order to accomplish the work on this tight timeline, manager Frederick Foote planned to use two shifts of artisans who would work on the project day and night.
The Italian renaissance inspired decorative scheme comprised wall decorations, carpets, draperies, and even tapestries in blues, golds, and ivory. Glass doors featuring gold plating provided a grand entrance into the theatre, and the foyer featured new plate glass mirrors.
Once the work was complete, the theatre’s manager promised a full “Blue Ribbon bill” of vaudeville acts, including fire dancer Lole Fuller, the recent toast of Paris. Located on Campus Martius, the Temple Theatre closed in 1930.
Sources: “Temple Theatre to Spend $20,000.” The [Detroit] Free Press. July 1, 1908.
Edison Institute Museum Auditorium (Dearborn - 1931)
Invoice image courtesy of the Benson Ford Research Center, The Henry Ford; Edison Institute Museum and Village cover image courtesy of The Henry Ford; Edison Institute postcard courtesy of Detroit Public Library Burton Historical Collection.
Status: Theater still exists in The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan.
The Wright Company’s clientele included many prominent Detroiters – many of whom hired the firm to decorate their private homes, offices, or yachts. In 1931, Wright took on a very different job for auto magnate Edsel B. Ford when the company contracted to provide stage curtains and window drapery for the auditorium on the campus of the Edison Institute (now known as The Henry Ford). The specifics of the order survive in a receipt from October 3, 1931, printed on a rare copy of William Wright Company letterhead.
Source: Invoice for Stage and Auditorium Drapes and Curtains for Henry Ford Museum Theatre. Benson Ford Research Center, The Henry Ford.
Majestic Theater (Detroit - n.d.)
Image of Majestic Vaudeville Theater Courtesy of Detroit Historical Society; Photo of Majestic Theater Courtesy of the Detroit News Archive.
Status: The 1915 theater building still stands and has been significantly remodeled.
Family tradition relates that, sometime in the early 20th century, Oscar Weidemann received a contract to decorate the Majestic Theatre in Detroit. It is not clear which Majestic Theatre is tied to this commission as there were two – a movie theater built on Woodward in 1915 and an earlier vaudeville house which was also on Woodward. It is possible that Oscar was no longer working for the Wright Company when he did this work as his tenure with the company ended shortly after his father’s death in 1913.
Several decades later, Oscar’s granddaughter had the chance to visit the theater. She described the interior as being badly damaged by leaks and largely covered by black curtains. Disappointingly, none of the original decoration was visible.
Sources: Haite, Margery. Letter to Valerie Marvin, April 14, 2023.