Morris Performing Arts Center

We went here last night to see Jay Leno and really enjoyed it. The venue is absolutely gorgeous and it had good acoustics of course it was stand up comedy so probably not the best test bed.
The huge plus is the ample parking within walking distance which makes it super easy to get in and out.

I’ve came here on two occassions — Tyga concert & Kevin Hart. It’s a nice set up and they really do try to get big acts to come into little ol’ South Bend. For a comedy show, it’s a nice set up with the balconies and all. But for a concert it’s hard to just stay in your seat and not really run into people. All in all, it’s a nice place.

Morris is an unexpected find in a small city in the midwest. The hall is gorgeous, and could find itself a treasured landmark in any city. I play here quite frequently and am always surprised by how much I enjoy the space. It is ornate and old wordly; it reminds me a bit of a small scale Civic Opera House in Chicago. It’s right on the river and has a beautiful front lawn and access to the river walk which is lovely on a warm summer night. I was surprised to like Morris as much as I do! But I do.

I’ve seen several shows at the Morris over the years. Stomp, the Acrobats of China, Jeff Dunham, The Nutcracker… as well as others. It’s a little stodgy, but that’s to be expected.

When you live in a city like South Bend, Indiana, you never know what to expect when you hear the expression «downtown revitalization.» The cynic in me always wants to assume every instance of «revitalization» includes a heavy dose of gentrification, whether that means pushing out poor people or inviting non-​poor people in. Even sadder than massive, well funded gentrification projects are those pet-​project festivals and building-​specific restorations that fail miserably because they’re not well thought out.
Thankfully, the Morris Performing Arts Center in Downtown South Bend falls into neither of the traps that I’ve described. Simply put, it’s a beautifully restored old theater that recalls a past, if tragic, hopefulness.
South Bend used to be a pretty big deal regionally, and although most of its factories are long shuttered, the Morris Performing Arts Center (originally the Palace Theater) gives a hint as to the grandeur that the city’s residents once imagined was in their future. Success didn’t last long, but it’s not completely depressing to take in a show or concert at this theater.
I had the opportunity to see Marcel Marceau here, and the performance was spectacular – and I don’t even like mimes. At one point, the power went out. When it was restored after two minutes or so, Marceau continued his act as if nothing had happened.
Maybe it’s fitting that I saw Marceau perform at the Morris Center toward the end of his life. Like the theater itself, Marceau’s physical appearance surprised me. At first, he just didn’t look as old as he was. As the act progressed, however, I became acutely aware of his age, and his grace and agility were all the more surprising.