Company History

Founded in 1984 as the American Music Theater Festival, the company spent its first 15 years without a home of its own. During that time, AMTF performed in different venues throughout Philadelphia.

By the late 1990’s, the city began to undertake the transformation of Broad Street into the Avenue of the Arts. Under the leadership of Marjorie Samoff, the American Music Theater Festival set its eyes on building itself a new home. They would find it in the historic, former Midtown Theater. As a movie theater, the Midtown had seen many Philadelphia premieres and countless Hollywood stars. AMTF put itself into the project of converting this now run-down relic of the past into one of the most vibrant, modern and spacious live theaters in Philadelphia.

In March of 1999, under the new name Prince Music Theater, the company opened its new home with stars from both Hollywood and Broadway. Named in honor of legendary Broadway producer and director Hal Prince, the new theater has pushed forward the innovative and unique American art form for which Mr. Prince has been so instrumental.