Marilyn Leggett

The City of Fort Wayne, Indiana is found in the East North Central region of the Midwestern United States, in northeastern Indiana. The city was named for Anthony Wayne, a fiery Commanding General of the American Revolutionary War. Fort Wayne has the nicknames “Summit City”, “City of Churches”, “City That Saved Itself” and “Magnet Wire Capital of the World”. This city is worthwhile visiting, with lots to see and do. In this article we are going to examine The Embassy Theatre, adjoining the Indiana Hotel. The theatre is located at 125 West Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA and has been described as a movie palace and vaudeville house. Currently, The Embassy Theatre is home to live events, which includes theatric plays, music, and various receptions and meetings. This is a fascinating building to visit, full of history and beauty to behold. The doors first opened as the magnificent Emboyd Theatre on May 14, 1928. Originally, it was built as a movie palace and vaudeville house. The theatre included a Page theatre pipe organ. For almost 25 years wonderful stars of stage and screen performed the Emboyd stage. During this time, the first “talkies” took presidence of vaudeville acts and in 1952 the theatre was sold to the Alliance Amusement Corporation; at which time, there was a name change from the Emboyd Theatre to the Embassy Theatre. After the changeover, the beautiful pipe organ, or Miss Page, as she was nicknamed, was rarely used. A small group of unofficial guardians of Miss Page and her home. The organ was played again at the Embassy Theatre in 1963, and concerts with her became a tourist attraction for theatre organ lovers. In 1972 the Embassy Theatre nearly succumbed to the wrecking ball. A campaign was set up and $250,000 was raised by a caring community of volunteers to save the beautiful historical site and her Miss Page. After this rescue, political and philanthropic efforts were put into effect restore the Embassy Theatre to her previous glory. In late 1975, the theatre was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1985 the Embassadors, formerly the Embassy Volunteers initiated the first Festival of Trees, which raised $46,00 to be used to renovate the front lobby. This Festival of Trees continues annually to this day. Another major renovation, in 1995 expanded the stage and the seats were upgraded for seating capacity. Many other renovations have taken place over the years which have restored the Embassy Theatre to her former grandeur. Constant restoration and preservation efforts continue to this day with many hours of help coming from the generous volunteers as well as never ending fund-raising. Should you be interested in a more in-depth detail of The Embassy Theatre’s history, please visit the website noted below.1 Although the main attraction of the Embassy Theatre is for its shows and events, there is so much more to this wonderfully historic theatre. There is a list of shows and events, with new additions every month. Following is a list for April and May to tease you: Indiana Performing Arts & KaidyDid Productions Presents The Color Purple April 24, 2021 7:30 pm Indiana Performing Arts & KaidyDid Productions Presents The Color Purple April 25, 2021 4:00 pm Marquee Gala featuring Shoshana Bean April 30, 2021 8:00 pm The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe May 1, 2021 2:00 pm The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe May 1, 2021 7:00 pm The Embassy Theatre is also the home to the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra. The Embassy Theatre features VIRTUAL study trips for your class or group. Teachers can choose the program that best suits their group’s needs. This trip will certainly be refreshing, informative and constructive use of time. Please visit the website or call- The Embassy Theatre hosts breathtakingly exquisite events for wedding receptions, luncheons, special event parties and meetings. These events can be hosted in the Embassy Theatre, Theatre Lobby, the Yergens Rogers Foundation ballroom at the Embassy, the Parkview Health rooftop patio, the Madge Rothschild mezzanine lounge at the Embassy, the Abassador Enterprises board room, or the Journal Gazette Foundation learning center. The Embassy has partnered with sever Preferred Caterers to take care of any food or drink considerations. Again, please call- for the special events staff, or visit their website for more information. The Embassy Foundation would like to invite you to join them to become a valued member. They are an Accredited Charity. Kindly check the possibilities on the website. The Embassy Foundation is a fascinating place to visit and you will enjoy the excursion immensely.