Worcester Palladium
{{Short description|All ages concert hall in Worcester, Massachusetts.}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = Worcester Palladium
| nickname = The Palladium
| logo_image = Worcester Palladium-1.png
| logo_caption = The Palladium • Worcester, Mass.
| image = Image:Worcester Palladium, Worcester MA.jpg
| caption =
| fullname = Worcester Palladium
| former names = Plymouth Theatre (1928–1980)
E.M. Loew's Center for the Performing Arts (1980–1990)
| location = 261 Main St
Worcester, Massachusetts 01608
| coordinates = {{Coord|42.2667|N|71.8008|W|region:US-MA_type:landmark}}
| broke_ground =
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| opened = {{start date and age|1928|11|24|p=1}}{{cite news|title=Plymouth Theatre—Gala Inaugural Program TONIGHT|publisher=The Evening Gazette|location=Worcester, Mass.|date=November 24, 1928|pages=40–50 (unsure—page # missing from copy—the 'Worcester Stage and Screen' section)}}
| renovated =
| expanded =
| closed =
| demolished =
| owner = John Peters, Cliff Rucker
| operator =
| surface =
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| capacity = 2,160 (Main Room)
500 (Upstairs)
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| website = {{URL|https://thepalladium.net/|Venue Website}}
| publictransit =MBTA {{rail color box|system=MBTA|line=Framingham/Worcester}} Worcester {{access icon}}
}}
The Worcester Palladium, also known as The Palladium or Palladium Theatre, is an all-ages concert hall and performance venue located in Worcester, Massachusetts.{{Cite web |title=Worcester Palladium {{!}} Latest Events and Tickets {{!}} Worcester, Massachusetts |url=https://www.worcesterconcerthall.com/ |access-date=2023-04-17 |language=en-US}} The Palladium was designed by architect Arlan W. Johnson and opened as a theatre in 1928 as the Plymouth Theatre. It has a seating capacity of 2,160 in the Main Room and 500 in the upstairs room and is a popular venue for rock and metal bands.[http://www.telegram.com/article/20120722/NEWS/107229805/0/business&Template=printart Palladium facing uncertain future]; METAL MAGNET July 22, 2012 by Bronislaus B. Kush Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Since 1990, the booking agency MassConcerts has handled all booking for The Palladium;{{cite web|title=The Worcester Palladium|url=https://www.eventsfy.com/venue/the-worcester-palladium/worcester|website=Eventsfy|access-date=17 February 2018|language=en}}
A live concert DVD by The Devil Wears Prada titled Dead & Alive was filmed at the Palladium on December 14, 2011.{{cite web|url=http://thepalladium.net/ |title=The Paladium| access-date=2023-09-21}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.bobdylan.com/tour/2008-05-16-palladium|title = The Palladium | the Official Bob Dylan Site}}
A live concert DVD by Insane Clown Posse titled New Years Ninja Party was filmed at the Palladium on New Years Eve 2012. {{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}
Metalcore band Killswitch Engage released a live album recorded at The Palladium in 2022, titled "Live at the Palladium" {{Cite web |title=Killswitch Engage Announce “Live at the Palladium” {{!}} Metal Blade Records |url=https://www.metalblade.com/us/news/killswitch-engage-announce-live-at-the-palladium/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |language=en-US}}
History
The Plymouth Theatre, originally leased by Alfred Gottesman Theatrical Enterprises, Inc.,{{cite news|title=New Plymouth Theater Opens Tonight at 8|publisher=The Evening Gazette|location=Worcester, Mass.|date=November 24, 1928|pages=40–50 (unsure—page # missing from copy—the 'Worcester Stage and Screen' section)}} is situated at the corner of Main St. and Central St. and was first opened on November 24, 1928—"Doors open at 7:00 p.m.", "Curtain at 8 o'clock"—according to the bill in the Evening Gazette's News Notes of Worcester Stage and Screen.
For the inaugural performances, the theater presented a "scene of beauty" to its guests—the foyer was decorated with about 100 baskets of roses and other flowers (gifts of some of the leading business establishments of the time), while the stage was banked with palms and flowers. Mr. Alfred Gottesman, lessee of The Plymouth, gave his personal supervision to the plans for the theater and had invited many of the night's guests personally.
The theater opened with a Robert Morton pipe organ; the opening bill for the theater advertises "Buddy" Webber at the Console of Our Mighty Organ. As of 2008 the organ had been purchased and installed in a private residence.{{cite web
| url = http://database.organsociety.org/OrganDetails.php?OrganID=33502
| title = Pipe Organ Database
| publisher = Organ Historical Society
| access-date = March 24, 2017}}
The building was renamed the E.M. Loew's Center for the Performing Arts on April 14, 1980, and by 1990 became The Palladium.{{cite web|title=Palladium Theatre in Worcester, MA - Cinema Treasures|url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/6463|website=cinematreasures.org|type=Web Comment|access-date=17 February 2018}}{{cite journal|title=Boston Conclave & Theatre Tour|date=2005|issn=0025-3928|oclc=1756706|journal=Marquee: The Journal of the Theatre Historical Society|volume=37|number=4|page=18|publisher=Theatre Historical Society|location=Washington, D.C.}} In July 2012, owners John Fischer and John Sousa filed a waiver to Worcester's demolition delay ordinance after receiving an increase in the Palladium's property taxes.[https://www.telegram.com/story/news/state/2012/07/10/demolition-permit-sought-for-palladium/49568128007/ Demolition permit sought for Palladium]; HEARING July 26 ON WORCESTER LANDMARK by Bronislaus B. Kush July 10, 2012 Telegram & Gazette Despite the demolition delay ordinance, The Palladium found success in booking metalcore and hardcore bands, allowing it to continue operation.
References
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{{Coord|42.2667|N|71.8008|W|region:US-MA_type:landmark|display=title}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Worcester, Massachusetts
Category:Culture of Worcester, Massachusetts
Category:Music venues in Massachusetts