This Mt. Airy theater is an Art Deco masterpiece that was designed and built as a movie palace in the late 1920s by William Harold Lee, a protégé of Frank Furness. It also happens to be one of the few remaining theaters designed by Lee in the region, as many of them have been demolished. Today, The Sedgwick Theatre is rented by Quintessence Theatre Group and continues to be one of Philly’s most interesting art deco masterpieces.

The historic Uptown Theater on North Broad was built in 1927 and designed in the Art Deco style by the firm Magaziner, Eberhard & Harris. But it experienced its golden years in the 1950s, when it was part of the Chitlin Circuit, serving as a safe space for African-American artists to perform in its 2,000-plus seat venue. Its lavish interiors have since fallen into disrepair and the theater has been closed for years. But in recent years, the local community has rallied to restore the theater, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Freedom Theatre is located next to the historic Edwin Forrest mansion on North Broad, which dates back to about 1853. Originally the home of Forrest, who was a renowned actor, it has served the African-American community as the home of the New Freedom Theatre and its 299-seat theater venue for the past 50 years. A portion of the property is currently for sale.

Built in 1927 by John H. McClatchy, this Art Deco theater originally opened as a movie palace and venue for vaudeville acts. Today, its big claim to fame is that plenty of musicians have recorded their live albums while performing here, including David Bowie and Paul Simon. Located right over the edge of Philly in Upper Darby, the theater stands out for its iconic exterior signage and ornate interiors.

Named after renowned actor Edwin Forrest (see No. 3), the Forrest Theatre dates back to 1927 and is considered the most elaborate design of architect Herbert J. Krapp. Earlier this year it underwent an extensive restoration, which included the redecoration of the auditorium and mezzanine lounge.

Walnut Street Theatre holds the impressive distinctions of being the oldest theater in the nation, the official state theatre of Pennsylvania, and a National Historic Landmark. It dates back to 1809, when it opened as an equestrian circus venue. When an 80-foot-tall dome was added to the theater, it became the tallest building in Philly at the time. Numerous renowned architects have played a role in the theater’s many renovations, including William Strickland, John Haviland, and Willis Hale.

The Merriam Theater on the Avenue of the Arts was also designed by architect Herbert J. Krapp (see No. 6), in 1918, and the grand theater core is historically significant. The theater as a whole is about to embark on a massive renovation to create a better experience for theater-goers.

Designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects, the Kimmel Center for the performing arts was built in 2001 at the height of the city’s plan to create a performing arts district along South Broad Street. The showstopper on Broad wows with its barrel-vaulted glass roof, which features a an expansive terrace beneath. There are actually two theaters within the Kimmel Center, including the Verizon Hall, which seats 2,500 and is in the shape of a cello.

Okay, so this theater is not in Philly proper—rather, it’s a short train ride away—but it’s such a staple of the town it’s named after that we wanted to include it.

Ambler Theater is an architectural masterpiece, constructed in 1928 as a movie palace, much like Sedgwick Theater (#1). Built by Phillip Harrison, who also built theaters in Bryn Mawr and Lansdowne, The Ambler Theater combines art deco signage with a terra cotta Spanish Colonial facade and a pipe organ (which is now gone).

It fell out of popularity in the late 1900s, but made a roaring comeback when it was purchased by Ambler Theater Company, a non-profit that took on a $2 million renovation to the space, bringing it back to its historic, ornate beginnings. Ask anyone from Ambler about the theater and you’re likely to get a very passionate response.