Special section celebrates reborn Fox

When the Fox Theater reopens this week after nearly $31 million in renovations, the star of the evening will be the same grand lady from the first opening in 1931: the Fox Theater itself.

Today, that same Fox-y lady stars in a 10-page special section, titled “Welcome Back.”

The section recounts the Fox’s original 1931 opening, its glory days, its slow decline and, finally, its salvation and restoration to its former splendor.

A two-page center-spread examines the theater’s stunning art deco touches, many of which were exhumed by the restoration. Among the must-see decorative details: the lobby carpet, which was re-created from a black-and-white photo, and the lobby murals, which feature underwater images on the main floor and images of land on the mezzanine above. You’ll also find a list of the gala opening week events – the community is invited to a free open house next Sunday – and a look ahead to what the Fox aspires to be.

Among the stars who graced the Fox’s stage was a young Frank Sinatra, who reputedly threw a punch backstage as a member of the Hoboken Four.

Maybe there should be a plaque in the new Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox: Sinatra slugged here.