Majestic Theater
The Majestic Theatre is Madison, Wisconsin’s oldest theatre having opened on December 15, 1906 as a vaudeville theatre.
Over the years, everything from silent movies to the shows of Harry Houdini have graced this historic stage. There were even a few years where the theatre showed movies that featured the letter “X” rather prominently after the title. After a brief incarnation as a dance club, the Majestic Theatre has returned to its history of show business roots — this time as a world-class live performing arts venue.
Photo credit: Majestic Madison Facebook Page
The idea behind the Majestic came from two music industry vets: Scott a musician, and Matt a booking agent.
Scott would go on tour across the country and play in horrible venues, run by horrible people. He was regularly harassed for asking for water and towels and was continuously amazed at how there were “actually” only 150 people in a packed full venue that held 600. Matt would regularly receive calls from his clients demanding to know why they were booked in horrible venues run by horrible people. Scott and Matt happened to be friends transplanted from the midwest to the smoggy skies of Los Angeles. One night after a few too many beers, they decided to become business partners and open a venue that bands would love and agents wouldn’t hear about the next day.
Fast forward two years, three months, one week and one day and The Majestic Theatre held its Grand Re-Opening on September 29th, 2007.
Today, Madison is able to celebrate an eclectic array of national talent several times each week, offering fans of every musical genre a reason to visit.
Beyond live music, the Majestic also features stand up comedy, theme parties such as our infamous 80’s vs. 90’s retro dance party, and “Brew n’ View” movies from time to time. And who knows we may even host an occasional burlesque show now and then to liven things up.
The point is that we genuinely hope to turn our city into a more expressive and fulfilled cultural center. And we hope you’ll visit us regularly to enjoy the artistic offerings we bring you. There’s a lot of great live music to discover, and no one can disagree: Beer Tastes Better in the Front Row.
Credit: Majestic Madison
Downtown Madison Self-Guided Tour Stops
Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center
First Settlement District
The Majestic Theater
Wisconsin State Capitol
The Bartell Theater
Madison Children's Museum
Wisconsin Veterans Museum
Wisconsin Historical Museum
Madison Public Library - Central Branch
Overture Center for the Arts
Orpheum Theater
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
Elizabeth Link Peace Park
Frances Street Plaza
Memorial Union
Library Mall and the Confluence
Bascom Hill
Chazen Museum of Art