Guide To Ballet At The Detroit Opera House

Detroit Opera House

In addition to the hosting the Michigan Opera Theatre, the Detroit Opera House presents a variety of dance programs, including performances by companies like the acclaimed Joffrey Ballet and the Grand Rapids Ballet. For more about the current dance season, visit www.motopera.org.

What to Wear

The Opera House Web site says you should be comfortable: "The Detroit Opera House has no defined dress policy. At any given performance you may see evening gowns, you may see blue jeans. Most people dress somewhere in between, i.e., business attire or Sunday best. Formal attire is always welcome but most of our patrons reserve it for premieres and galas." Good to know.

Tickets:

• Call the Box Office: (313) 237-SING (7464).
• View ticket calendar online

Parking

The easiest thing to do is reserve parking when you purchase tickets online or call (313) 237-7464 to prepay.  Valet also is available and there are a number of park and ride options and restaurant shuttles. More info here

Dining Nearby

• Detroit Beer Company - 1529 Broadway. This casual brewpub offers burgers, salads and sandwiches at reasonable prices.
• Don't Want to Stray too Far? The Opera House itself also has a cozy pub-like bistro, called the Cadillac Cafe. It opens two hours before every event.
• Harbor House - 440 Clinton St., Offerings include seafood, burgers, chicken and ribs.
• Majestic Café - 4120 Woodward Ave. An eclectic menu and a casual atmosphere make this a great place to relax and have a good meal.
• More Restaurant Choices

Getting There

Address: 1526 Broadway, Detroit, Michigan 48226

• I-75 southbound: Exit I-375 (toward Civic Center). Go a quarter mile and exit at Madison (on the left). Continue on Madison about a half mile. The Opera House will be on your left.
• I-75 northbound: Take the Grand River exit (exit 50). Stay on the service drive, which will take you to Woodward. Turn right (south) onto Woodward, go three lights past the Fox Theater and turn left onto Witherell (after Grand Circus Park). Go one block. The Opera House will be on your right.
• Woodward Avenue southbound: Go three lights past the Fox Theater and turn left onto Witherell (after Grand Circus Park). The Opera House is one block east of Woodward.
• Jefferson Avenue westbound: Turn right onto Woodward, go three-quarters of a mile north to Witherell (one block north of John R). Turn right onto Witherell, go one block.
• M-10 (John C. Lodge) southbound: Exit Bagley (on the left). Follow Bagley a half mile (it veers left at Cass) until it ends at Park. Turn right onto Park and cross Woodward (Park becomes Witherell east of Woodward). Go one block. The Opera House will be on your right.
• I-94 westbound: Exit I-75 south (exit 216A to Flint/Toledo). Take I-75 south to I-375 (toward Civic Center). Go a quarter mile and exit at Madison (on the left). Bear right and continue on Madison about a half mile. The Opera House will be on your left.
• I-94 eastbound: Take I-94 to M-10 (John C. Lodge) south. Exit at Bagley (on the left). Follow Bagley a half mile (it veers left at Cass) until it ends at Park. Turn right onto Park and continue across Woodward (Park becomes Witherell east of Woodward). Go one block. The Opera House will be on your right.
• I-96 eastbound: Take I-96 to I-75 north. Exit at Grand River. Stay on the service drive, which will take you to Woodward. Turn right (south) onto Woodward, go three lights past the Fox Theater and turn left onto Witherell (after Grand Circus Park). Go one block. The Opera House will be on your right.
• Ambassador Bridge: Take I-75 north about four kilometers and exit at Grand River (exit 50). Stay on the service drive, which will take you to Woodward. Turn right (south) onto Woodward, go three lights past the Fox Theater and turn left onto Witherell (after Grand Circus Park). Go one block. The Opera House will be on your right.
• Detroit-Windsor Tunnel: Exiting the tunnel, bear right at Randolph and go about one kilometer. Bear left at Broadway. The Opera House will be on your right.

More Ballet in the Area

Michigan Ballet Theatre - The MBT prforms at the Lake Orion Center for the Performing Arts In Lake Orion High School, on Scripps Road, just north of the Palace.

Michigan Classic Ballet Company - The MCBC performs at Mercy Auditorium, 29300 W 11 Mile Road, in Farmington Hills and at national and regional dance festivals.

Nutcracker Ballet - Interested in seeing a production of the "Nutcracker" during the holiday season? We found a website devoted entirely to that.