This post is the theater and murals from The Players Club.
I know a couple people who will really be into this, SNWEB and definitely Chris.
The Players, founded in 1911. This club house was built in 1926.
William E. Kapp: Architect
Corrado Parducci: Stone Sculptor
Paul Honore: Muralist
Sixteenth century English Renaissance.
Continuous use as a playhouse throughout its entire history.
I apologize for not having my regular camera, these are with a point and shoot. You can get the idea of the pure majesty of this place enough from these snapshots, it really is incredible.
Flats and rigging
Here is a charcoal drawing of one of the Players formal black tie events held in the theater. The events are every bit as formal today.
This is a similar viewpoint to the drawing.
This is looking toward the front above the stage.
This is the Paul Honore mural that got the $2000.00 make over. What a powerful image.
This urn contains ashes of former Players !
Let’s take a look back stage
You can visit the Players Club website by clicking here, learn more about them and maybe stop by and see a show. Definitely one of Detroit’s jewels.
http://www.playersdetroit.org/
If you look close on this dingy Google Maps image, you can see the restoration scaffolds, and you can even tell that a few of the Parducci grotesques are missing.
I went and saw a play there and was given a pretty decent tour afterwards. Everyone seemed real friendly.
actually its the Detroit Historical Society that runs the tour event…
http://www.detroithistorical.org/main/upcoming/behind_scenes.aspx
(scroll down)
i noticed it in their recent newsletter.
I was driving by and the door was open and a guy was working on the gardens. Slammed on the brakes, parked and then bolted over and made some friends.
Nailhed says they give tours Nov 13th, but if you go introduce yourself they will definitely be happy to show you around. If you look around back you can see where they hang out when rehearsing, and youll probably have better luck than waiting for the front door to be open.
Now about the University Club……ugh.
Awesome!!!!!!!
I was always curious if the beautiful facade would be a true reflection of the interior and it is. How’d you land access? Good stuff!
‘orbz’ LMAO = yeaaah, a little scary how much particulate matter is in the air in this place huh ? Its like Roosevelt in the basement.
Unless those are all dearly departed Players from the past come to visit, just psychically caught on film ?
orrrrrrrbz!!!
lol
It’s great to see a Detroit treasure that is still in use!
Hey! thanks for the shout out. Yes indeed I love this. I need to get over there and check that place out in person.