From 1974 to 1993, The Front Row Theater in Highland Heights was one of the more beloved venues in Northeast Ohio. It seated 3,200 people who enjoyed shows in the theater-in-the-round setting, with a stage that rotated 360 degrees.
Many famous musicians performed there over the years including Sonny and Cher, Marvin Gaye, Roberta Flack, Loretta Lynn, Harry Belafonte, Willie Nelson, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, Miles Davis, Alice Cooper, Peter Tosh, B.B. King, Stephen Stills, Whitney Houston, the Righteous Brothers, Tom Jones, Run-DMC, The Tempations, Jay Leno, Diana Ross, Roy Orbison, Salt-N-Pepa, James Brown, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Frankie Valli, Muddy Waters and many others. The Michael Stanley Band ended their time as a band there when they played 12 straight sold out shows in 1987.
The venue closed in 1993 when it merged with the Playhouse Square Foundation. Luther Vandross played the final show. The theater was torn down in 1995. A Home Depot now stands in its place. Here, a trip back through the years.
Logo for Front Row Theater Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectAerial view of Front Row Theater, 1974 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectFront Row Theater’s stage under construction, 1974 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectLou Rawls Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectFront Row Theater before house lights were dimmed, 1974 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectBurlesque Show Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectLineup Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectCheap Trick and Others Ad Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectTickets From 1977 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectFront Row Theater under construction, 1974 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectLobby Crowd Sammy Davis Jr Benefit opening at Front Row, 1974 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectSammy Davis Jr. on stage at Front Row Theater, 1974 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectBenefit for University Hospitals, 1974 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectMayor Perk and Bob Hope at Front Row Theater, 1975 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectPerformers at Front Row Theater, 1976 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectWomen pulled on stage during a Sonny Bono show, 1977 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectPart of the Alice and Wonderland cast, 1979 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectPhil Donahue, his mother, and George T. O’Donnell at Front Row Theater, 1980 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectPhil Donahue greeting audience at his show, 1980 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectCast of a production of the Little Rascals, 1980 Credit: Cleveland Memory ProjectMan Jerry Springer passed away….RIP Legend. man protect Maury. pic.twitter.com/TJ1htM795j— monarch the great (@OneMonarchTwo) April 27, 2023 Credit: Twitter
