Canton, GA
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Kristin Norton Green
Theatre Events and
Facilities Director
770-704-0755
kristin.green@cantonga.gov
Historic Canton Theatre
Upcoming Showings and Productions
Don't Be Cruel - The Elvis Experience
- Date: 07/26/2026 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
- Location: Canton Theatre
171 E Main St.
Canton, Georgia 30114
Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for a night of unforgettable music, as we bring you the electrifying sounds and legendary presence of the King himself! Join us for 'Don't Be Cruel: An Elvis Tribute Show,' where you'll experience all the hits that made Elvis Presley a true icon. From the soulful ballads to the rocking anthems, our talented tribute artist will take you on a musical journey through the life and career of the man who changed the face of music forever. It's time to relive the magic—let's get ready to rock 'n' roll!
Get ready to groove to the beat of 'Hound Dog' — a rebellious anthem that had the world shouting, 'You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog!' Elvis’s electrifying energy and unmistakable voice made it one of the greatest rock songs of all time.
We’ll take you through the sweet, soulful sounds of 'Can't Help Falling in Love,' one of Elvis's most timeless ballads, where his voice melted hearts and captivated millions around the world.
And let’s not forget 'Jailhouse Rock' — the song that put a whole new spin on the jailhouse blues, with Elvis dancing and grooving through one of the most iconic moments in rock history.
We’ll be shaking things up with 'Blue Suede Shoes,' a rockabilly classic that had fans everywhere putting on their dancing shoes, and we’ll hit you with the smooth and sultry 'Suspicious Minds,' where Elvis took his audience on an emotional journey of love and betrayal.
You can’t have an Elvis show without 'All Shook Up'! With its fast-paced rhythm and fun lyrics, this song became a trademark of the carefree spirit Elvis embodied. And, of course, we’ll bring you the soulful 'Burning Love,' a song that proved Elvis could still rock hard and sound as powerful as ever, even in the 1970s.
And for all the dreamers in the audience, 'Love Me Tender' will make you swoon as we dive deep into Elvis’s ability to capture the tender, romantic side of life with just a few simple notes.
So, whether you’re here to relive the early days of Elvis’s career or experience his legendary performances for the first time, tonight’s show is packed with all the music that made Elvis Presley a household name. Get ready to sing, dance, and relive the magic of the King of Rock and Roll. This is Don’t Be Cruel: An Elvis Tribute Show!
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Tickets are currently on sale here!
History of the Theatre
As early as 1911, the Historic Canton Theatre was used to show slides and silent movies. Later, in the early 1920s, the Theatre changed owners and was renamed “The Bonita,” which held movie showings on Fridays and Saturdays.
During this era, the popularity of the Theatre grew rapidly. The Theatre was soon renovated, expanded, and renamed “The Haven.” It presented the people of Canton first line shows, including their first talking motion picture, the 1928 film “Singing Fool,” starring famous singing star Al Jolson.
The “Haven” continued to be a movie house for several more years until the late 1930s, when the Theatre was sold to the Martin-Thompson Theatre Company. The newly named “Canton Theatre” was then remodeled to reflect the Art Deco design so popular during that time.
The spectacular new Theatre had improvements that were truly unique, such as a steel skeleton for improved stability and safety. The fireproof walls and sprinkler system ensured that no fire would last long. New air conditioning and heating systems were installed in the Theatre to make it more comfortable for larger audiences. New restrooms and dressing rooms had a modernistic design. Red and blue uniformed employees at the “Candy Bar” sold candy and popcorn from the new popper, while an array of bright neon lights surrounded the Theatre, bathing it in colorful beauty. The size of the stage was expanded to make it larger than ever before. The new Canton Theatre was indeed a splendid site at the Grand Opening, which took place on September 30, 1940.
The Canton Theatre played the best motion pictures of the time. It was described as a “thoroughly modern sound and movie palace, with all the comfort, light, and cheer that denotes a first class picture theatre housed in the "larger cities.”
The Theatre continued to show movies for 30 more years, but by the mid 1970s, the popularity of the Theatre declined dramatically. Many guests felt that it had become too out of date. They wanted to see movies with the convenience of drive-ins and with many more choices. As a result, the Theatre sat idle for many years and subsequently went into disrepair.
In 1994, the Theatre was purchased by an individual for restoration. The City of Canton then acquired the property in a land swap in 1997. It was later deeded to the Downtown Development Authority in order to secure financing for restoration, which soon began. The Canton Theatre was restored to the Art Deco style of the 1930s and was reopened in a Dedication Ceremony, taking place on May 26, 2000.
Since that time, the Canton Theatre has become a community fixture, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy live theatre from both local and traveling productions, as well as entertainment from musicians, comedians and film screening events.