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On April 11, 1930 The Fox Tucson Theatre, designed by the architect M. Eugene Durfee, opened as a movie/vaudeville house. Originally the theater was going to be called “The Tower” but in 1929 while under construction built by Nicholas Diamos as one of his chain of theaters in Southern Arizona, it was then taken over by Fox. The theatre had a stage, a loft, and dressing rooms; however, because movies with sound were becoming popular at the time and resources were limited because of the Depression, the construction of the dressing rooms was never completed. The theatre’s opening night - a screening of the film “Chasing Rainbows” starring Bessie Love -  was one of the grandest parties Tucson had ever seen.  Congress street where the theatre is located was closed to live bands and dancing, and there were free trolly rides to the venue. Since it’s opening the fox theatre has hosted all kinds of performances and has become known as “the Crown Jewel of Downtown Tucson”

Because it has such a rich history, the theatre has its fair share of those stories and hauntings. One such ghost is a man who is said to wander around the entrance and lobby asking patrons if they have any spare change. Another one is a little girl who has been heard to play and giggle in the upper and lower lobbies. The theatre therefore has been a site for the Tucson Ghost Company and their location for paranormal investigation. In 1974, the theatre closed because of competition from other theaters and a lack of interest in shopping downtown. After sitting unused for 25 years, the idea of restoration did not phase the owners.

In the 1980s, numerous attempts were made by the citizens of Tucson to revive the theatre, but none of them were successful. In 1984, the theatre was sold to Venture West, a property developer, which had plans to tear it down and make way for a high rise building. A group called Citizens to Save Fox Theatre began to meet in 1985 in an effort to save the theatre from demolition, and in 1988 they managed to gather 13,842 signatures which they delivered to Tucson Mayor Tom Volgy. 

From 1991-1994, the abandoned fox theatre was inhabited by over 42 homeless people. Vandalism, water damage, and lack of maintenance left the theatre in disrepair. The Fox Tucson Theatre Foundation, A non-profit organization, purchased the theatre in 1999 for $250,000. A new roof was installed, chandeliers were repaired and fundraisers were held - all in an effort to return the theatre to what it once was. In 2001, the Fox Tucson Theatre Foundation was given a one million dollar federal grant and in 2003 Rio Nuevo, a Tax Increment Finance District which has invested in multiple revitalization projects in downtown Tucson, gave the theatre a further $3.5 million dollars. 

From there, the restoration process could begin. Starting with building a new roof in order to stop any further damage from the elements, the Fox theater was slowly starting to come together again. After 6 years and $14+ million rehabilitation headed by the Executive Director Herb Stratford along with many dedicated volunteers, the theater reopened on New Years Eve 2006 (12/31/2005). The theatre was also subsequently listed as a site on the National Register of Historic Places because of it, fantastic acoustic, as well as its Art Deco interior. As well as featuring art deco influences, the theatre also has a unique blend of southwestern, Egyptian, Mayan, and Native American designs. The original murals were restored by EverGreene Painting Studio of New York, the terrazzo floor in the lobby was restored. The movie screen in the Fox Theatre is 38 feet wide by 16 feet 6 inches tall and organ pipes from the Hilbert CT in Indianapolis, Indiana were added as well in 2019. As plywood was removed, amazing discoveries were found. The original columns with 1930's tile had been covered up on the outside in 1956, and the original ceilings with colorful freeze trim had been covered up in 1956 as well. Fox has been a touchstone of memories for many in early childhood, so this project became a personal mission to many. Not only would it reminisce memories, but it would be a landmark that can aid in downtown revitalization and encourage additional intel in the retail segment of downtown Tucson. Craig Samberg, director of Tucson Fox Foundation said, "We reopened back to opening night in 1930, so when you walk into the doors at The Fox Theater in 2018, you feel like you are walking back into the theater in 1930." Elements of restoration included:

• Decorative plaster and mural restoration
• Repair and relighting of the original chandeliers 
• Repair to acoustic material
• Recreation of original seat fabric, carpet pattern, and light fixtures
• New theatrical systems (light, sound, projection) to better serve performing arts communities
• Programming includes dance, theater, music, and the showing of occasional films

Since its 2005 opening, the theatre has hosted live entertainment, movies, weddings, parties, filming, and community events. The theatre also has a Youth Arts and Culture program called K.I.T. (or Kids in the Theatre) which hosts events exposing children of all ages to the arts. This program is similar to the Mickey Mouse Club which the children of Tucson came to the Fox Theatre for back in the 1930’s. At that time, tickets cost 10 cents but those kids who could not afford these prices because of financial hardships were let in for free. Through the K.I.T.   program, kids can take historical tours of the theatre, participate in literacy events, watch movies, and use the theaters online resources. The fox also partners with non-profit organizations to provide free tickets for children whose families are experiencing financial hardships. On March 9th, 2020, the Fox Theatre made the decision to close and stop all public performances from March 14th until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic that was affecting the United States. Ticket holders to postponed or canceled events were given the option to exchange their tickets, get a refund, or simply donate their ticket to the theatre. Sadly, at this time they were confident that they would be able to reopen by late spring or early summer however, in April it became apparent that they were going to have to cancel events for the rest of the year. On July 6th, 2020 the theatre announced that they would officially stop programming at least until the end of this 2020. They also announced that all scheduled events for 2021 were expected to happen as scheduled. As a result of the pandemic, the theatre received $183,000  in payroll protection funds from the federal government. The theatre stated in its July 6th update that it was going to reduce staffing as no revenue had been coming in due to 6th months worth of events that did not happen. Additionally, their federal relief funds had expired and they were continuing to refund tickets for patrons who had planned to attend cancelled events. They requested that people consider making donations to the Fox Forward Look to the Future Campaign.They also suggested that people could purchase membership gifts for when the theatre does reopen. 

Although the Fox Theater was a great place for entertainment in Tucson, human beings weren't the only ones being entertained. There have been many reports of ghosts that walk the fox Tucson theater lobby. McKiddy-Gydesen Was the owner of the Tucson ghost company.  She and her company decided to do a Paranormal investigation of the Fox Theater. There is said to be a numerous number of ghosts in the Fox Theater. one of the ghosts is a man. Sources say that this ghost may have been from back in the Great Depression days. This man paced back and forth near the entrance. Investigators said that this ghost would interact with people and asked them for spare change, but as he would receive the change, he would disappear the investigators did not see this for themselves, but the word has been spread around. While doing an investigation the company catches the laugh of a little girl on camera. On the camera it seems to be as if the little girl is playing in the lobby. You cannot see this girl, but you can hear her little giggles.

 

The lower lobby of the Fox Theatre. A ghost of a girl is said to hangout here. 

Andi Berlin

 The camera also caught Shadow presences upstairs while the theater was closed. The camera crew who keeps an eye overnight reported that they would hear unknown noises, as well as see different movements and lights in the room. This sounds as if it would be a super spooky experience but Gysdesen Mention that these ghosts meant no harm and that they're friendly. As this can be very spooky the owner of this company mentioned that some of her team members quit after this investigation. Not only did this crew Capture Moments on camera of the spotting’s. they also got to communicate with the ghosts. Gydesen would ask the ghost questions and would get simple responses in return showing that they were there.

 The fox Tucson Theater now holds annual ghost tours During the month of October. Tickets are $25. this includes all the equipment that is used. After hearing about the ghosts that have walked through the Fox Theater. 10 people will be taken on an educational tour of the theater. During this tour you will be investigating and using expert technology that is exclusive to the Paranormal industry. It is possible that you will run into the ghosts. One team captured one of the ghosts on video. while also recording different voice phenomena. 

 When taking pictures in a haunted area if you see an orb in the picture, this is usually a spirit. While people were investigating and going on their ghost tour, they would see an orb that would move and Drift Away. This is an Identification of a spirit.  To see and learn more about the ghostly activities at the Tucson theater visit https://thisistucson.com/todo/tucsons-fox-theatre-has-a-haunted-history/article_63793e40-bb5f-11e7-8ea7-0bb4b5347149.html  or watch https://youtu.be/TS7YG9D7xKQ

If you would like to know more about different haunted places surrounding the Tucson area visit https://tucson.com/entertainment/20-tucson-spots-that-are-said-to-be-haunted/collection_740efa5a-d61c-11e8-9233-c348c0599c3f.html

Besides the spookiness there are lots of beautiful events coming up. Especially during the Christmas season. Bring your families to enjoy live singing performances by many different talented musicians.

 

           Upcoming Theater Events:

 

Upcoming Events:
Footprints at the fox		November 14th 2 p.m.	tickets $30
Cinema Tucson prayers for the stolen		November 18th 7 p.m.	tickets $6
Whose live anyway		November 20th 7:30 p.m.	tickets $25.50- $75.50
Sara Evans  Blue Christmas tour		November 26th 7:30 p.m.	tickets $42.50- $87.50
Christmas in Hawaii		November 27th 7:30 p.m.	Tickets $25- $42.50
A Christmas Story		November 28th 2 p.m.	tickets $7.50
Ann Hampton Callaway sings the 70s		December 3rd 7:30 p.m.	tickets $35- $52.50
Shawn Colvin Marc Cohn, Sara Watkins: Together in concert		December 4th 7:30 p.m.	Tickets $59- $110
Lindsey Buckingham		December 5th 7 p.m.	tickets $42.50- 99.50
Mariachi Sol de Mexico presents		December 9th 7:30 p.m.	Tickets $25- $52.50
An Irish Christmas		December 10th 7:30 p.m.	tickets $30- for
The Robert Cray Band		December 11th 7:30 p.m.	tickets $25- $47.50
jingle all the way		December 12th 2 p.m.	Tickets $7.50
Pokey LaFarge		December 17th 7:30 p.m.	Tickets $22.50- $37.50
In the Christmas mood		December 18th 7:30 p.m.	tickets $20- 30
My Bluegrass heart		December 19th 7 p.m.	tickets $47.50- $87.50

 

 

      

 

Works Cited

“History.” Fox Tucson Theatre, 24 Sept. 2020, foxtucson.com/history/. 

“Fox Tucson Theatre.” Visit Tucson, www.visittucson.org/business/fox-tucson-theatre?clientid=20700. 

“Tucson, Arizona History .” Tucson 1930-1939, tucsonarizonahistory.tripod.com/tucson_1930-1939.htm. 

Munsey, Samantha, and Andi Berlin. “Tucson's Fox Theatre Has a Haunted History.” This Is Tucson, 17 Oct. 2018, thisistucson.com/todo/tucsons-fox-theatre-has-a-haunted-history/article_63793e40-bb5f-11e7-8ea7-0bb4b5347149.html. 

Wiley, Rick. “Photos: Fox Tucson Theatre through the Years.” Arizona Daily Star, 28 May 2020, tucson.com/news/local/photos-fox-tucson-theatre-through-the-years/collection_89ca48d6-756b-55fe-888b-e9e11d2fc21b.html. 

“Fox Tucson Theatre: Historic Theatre Consultation: Restoration: Preservation: Operations.” Historic Theatre Consultation | Restoration | Preservation | Operations, historictheatreconsultants.com/projects/fox-tucson-theatre/. 

“Kids In the Theatre.” Fox Tucson Theatre, 13 Aug. 2019, foxtucson.com/kit/kit-program-overview/. 

“COVID-19 & Re-Opening Updates.” Fox Tucson Theatre, 14 Sept. 2020, foxtucson.com/visit/visit-updates/. 

Burch, Cathalena E. “Coronavirus Keeps Fox Tucson Theatre Closed through December.” Arizona Daily Star, 5 Oct. 2020, tucson.com/entertainment/caliente/coronavirus-keeps-fox-tucson-theatre-closed-through-december/article_ed8c4fd5-74a6-5b51-b286-e7baaa6bea69.html. 

“Fox Forward: Look to the Future.” Fox Tucson Theatre, 5 Sept. 2020, foxtucson.com/fox-forward/. 

Events. Fox Tucson Theatre. (2018, July 18). Retrieved November 15, 2021, from https://foxtucson.com/events/.

Fox Ghost Tours. Fox Tucson Theatre. (2020, October 2). Retrieved November 15, 2021, from https://foxtucson.com/fox-ghost-tours/.

Long, B. (2019, October 10). Fox Theatre: A haunted history. KGUN. Retrieved November 15, 2021, from https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/fox-theatre-a-haunted-history.

Munsey, S., & Berlin, A. (2021, July 11). Tucson's Fox Theatre has a haunted history. This is Tucson. Retrieved November 15, 2021, from https://thisistucson.com/todo/tucsons-fox-theatre-has-a-haunted-history/article_63793e40-bb5f-11e7-8ea7-0bb4b5347149.html.

Munsey, S., Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star, A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star, Berlin, A., David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star, file, T. C., GreG Bryan / Arizona Daily Star 2006, Dean Knuth / Arizona Daily Star, & Facebook, B. T. (2021, November 3). Spooky Tales: 10 totally haunted places in southern Arizona. Saddlebag Notes. Retrieved November 15, 2021, from https://saddlebagnotes.com/thisistucson/tucsonlife/spooky-tales-10-totally-haunted-places-in-southern-arizona/article_12295fbe-d3ed-11e8-9c49-dfaa08b87f09.html.