Presenting the best in Broadway, comedy, lecture, celebrity, education and family programming!
Music
All past and present Palace stage performers, including Blues Traveler, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, BB King, Lonestar, Allison Krauss, Huey Lewis & the News, Frankie Valli, The Beach Boys, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Glenn Miller Orchestra and many more!
Movies
All the great American classics featured in the Palace's Nostalgic Film Series, which debuted in November 2008. The Nostalgic Film Series is an opportunity to invite patrons from across the state to celebrate the Palace’s historical heritage, which began as a silent movie/vaudeville house in 1922. Nationally recognized as the flagship theater of the Loew’s Poli chain, the Palace serves as an exquisite example of one of the last great movie Palaces that flourished during the golden age of vaudeville and cinema.
Television
Check out our June 4th feature on WTNH's Connecticut Style!
Heroes
Our dedicated volunteers, patrons, corporate members & sponsors, all our institutional supporters, and the Greater Waterbury community!
Named after theater impresario Sylvester Z. Poli, construction on the Poli Palace began in 1920. Two years later in January of 1922, the Palace officially opened its doors to the public. Designed by period architect Thomas Lamb, in what is described as a Renaissance Revival style, the Palace Theater featured an eclectic mix of Greek, Roman, Arabic and Federal motifs. It boasted grand lobby spaces and ornate dome ceilings, all in a palatial setting fit for a king - but intended for the people of Waterbury.
Originally a movie/vaudeville house, the Palace Theater evolved with the times over its 70 years of operation, presenting everything from silent films, to the Big Band sounds of the Tommy Dorsey Band, to contemporary rock concerts featuring legends like Bruce Springsteen and The Grateful Dead. Once considered the premier performance venue in the Northeast, the Palace lights went dim in 1987.
Now, after 18 years of darkness and a significant financial investment by the State of Connecticut, the lights are back on and the Palace stage is set once again, thanks to a major renovation, restoration and expansion. Positioning itself as Greater Waterbury's Center for the Performing Arts, this exquisite complex now showcases a performance schedule boasting professional Broadway performances, well-known comedy acts, top-quality family entertainment and so much more!
Who I'd like to meet: Theater lovers, concert go-ers, comedy fans, Broadway aficionados, and anyone looking for professional entertainment in a palatial setting fit for a king!
Pilobolus from Washington, CT. I've been emailing and making comments for you to get them. In Thursday's Waterbury paper, a huge article about them up for an Emmy. www.pilobolus.com/ I'll be the first to purchase tickets - please book them!
Way back in the 70's our local band used to rehearse inside the Palace cause the drummers Dad owned the place. I never gave up playing - still do - and I will never forget the acoustic perfection of the theater itself - kudos! Long Live the Palace!!!!
Hey everyone at the Palace Theater!!! We had a great time playing at Connecticut's #1 music venue!!!!!! Thank you all and God bless ya!!! Eran Troy Danner
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