The Havana’s Grand Theatre is the oldest theatre institution on active service in all Latin America. One of Old Havana’s finest buildings, the Grand Theater was built in 1837. It was considered to be one of the finest theaters in the world. During this time the construction of the Capitol, in which the national assembly met and the construction of the Grand Theater was begun, but it became only completed in 1929.

Some important artist that played in this place: dancers Fanny Elsler and Anna Pavlova, actress Sarah Bernhart and Eleonora Dusse, singers Adelina Patti, Victoria de los Angeles, Enrico Carusso, Tita Ruffo, musicians as Arthur Rubinstein, Ernesto Lecuona and Serguei Rachmaninov, Prima ballerina assoluta Alicia Alonso and many others.

Dancers of Cuba’s National Ballet perform “After the Deluge” during the 20th International Ballet Festival at the Grand Theater of Havana in Havana November 4, 2006 The first Havana Ballet Festival was in 1960 and it has taken place every two years since 1974, making it one of the most well-established events of its kind in the world. The festival features performances at various theatres in Havana including the Grand Theater of Havana, Havana National Theatre and the Mella Theatre. This is a fantastic theatre in a fantastic small town. The Wheaton Grand is one theatre that sits in a cool suburban downtown. Theatres like this can be used to help slowly emerging revitalized downtown areas.