Battling the TV, the Morris Performing Arts Center made a comeback

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WISH) – For nearly 100 years, what’s currently known as the Morris Performing Arts Center has been the place for the hottest tickets in town.

But at one point, the lights dimmed and went out completely.

The theater was built in the 1920s. It was called the Palace Theater back then.

“They wanted to give people a feeling as if they were taking a trip to Europe,” Mary Ellen Smith said.

But by 1959, the new black and white TVs almost closed down the live venue.

Philanthropist Ella Morris bought the theater and saved it from the wrecking ball. She turned around and sold it to the city for $1.

Now, every show that comes through performs on the stage that was named in her honor.

The theater underwent a major $17 million renovation at the turn of this century.

“We get rave reviews from people. The shows and tourists coming through the theater, fans seem to love it,” Smith said.