Columbus has been quietly racking up the accolades and it’s time we stop keeping it to ourselves. In our series, Behind the Buzz, we’re unveiling the people, places and experiences that make our city worthy and deserving of all the hype. Keep reading and you'll be asking yourself, "Can all of this exist in one city?" Yes, Columbus.
You may have heard that The Palace Theatre is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026. To help explain what makes this historic venue incredible, we’re talking to Jim Fischer, Communications Director at CAPA.
Inside The Palace Theatre. Source: CAPA.
For those who have never been, how would you describe the guest experience at The Palace Theatre?
Opened on November 8, 1926, and designed in the spirit of France’s Palais de Versailles, the 2,695-seat Palace Theatre is one of the country’s most stunning and historic theatres. So that classic ornate décor is what many guests notice first. But what really makes the Palace experience top-notch is our staff and volunteers, who are all committed to providing our guests with a memorable experience.
Congratulations on 100 years! What does this milestone mean to CAPA and the Columbus community?
Born as a vaudeville house, the Palace Theatre continues to shine in downtown Columbus 100 years later, hosting performances that range across all genres of the performing arts. That obviously requires dedicated caretakers, which CAPA has been privileged to do since the 1980s. But it’s the audiences and performers that make a theatre, and Columbus is blessed to have a great history of both.
What makes Columbus a great place for the performing arts?
Again, it’s that meeting of artists and audiences, as well as having special spaces where those meetings can happen.
What’s next for The Palace Theatre? What can guests look forward to?
We’re marking the Place Theatre’s 100th birthday this fall with a series of events, both performances and public programs, highlighted by our November 14 Palace 100: The Genius of Ray Charles concert. It’s our signature event to celebrate the centennial, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome audiences to hear great musicians including Paul Shaffer (of Late Show with David Letterman fame, among others), Patti Austin, Aloe Blacc, Blessing Offor, Lisa Fischer, Jackson Dean, Monica Mancini, and Columbus native Billy Valentine. Find out more at capa.com/100-celebration-palace.
The Scioto Mile. Source: Experience Columbus.
When people are Downtown for a show, what else do you recommend they do?
Because of the Palace’s location in Downtown, it’s easy to imagine it as crowded and cramped, but it’s actually easily walkable from a number of beautiful outdoor spaces. You can approach from the north or south along the Scioto Mile, across the Broad Street bridge from the west in Franklinton, or through the lovely Ohio Statehouse grounds. And no matter which way you choose, there are any number of great places to grab a pre-show meal.
