Is it the inspirational beauty of the venue? Might be.

Is it the storied history of the initiative? Could be.

Is it the quality of the shows being staged there? Should be.

Or maybe, just maybe, the reason the iconic Fulton Theatre is a landmark and destination in Lancaster County is the fun enjoyed there and the memories made there. It is a living testament to the universal appeal of the performing arts.

"I hope people think of us as one of the biggest Broadway houses in the state or the country, offering performances at Lancaster prices," said Marc Robin, who's been the executive artistic producer at the Fulton Theatre for eight years. "You don't have to go outside of the county to see wonderful theater. I think the Fulton has an incredible relationship with the community. I hope people think we are doing it at the highest level."

The Fulton Theatre, a national historic landmark located at 12 N. Prince St., Lancaster, features Victorian architecture, 13,000 square feet of operational space and ample lobby spaces, and it houses board rooms and administrative offices. The Fulton is actually three theaters rolled into one, including a 650-seat main theater, a 100-seat theater and a 70-seat theater, as well as a 135-seat multi-use hall.

The stage inside the Fulton's main theater is 32 feet wide, 39 feet deep and 29 feet tall.

The Fulton Theatre is the oldest continually operating theater in the United States.

"The arts community in Lancaster County is unbelievably vibrant," said Robin. "We are blessed to have so many organizations producing every kind of art. Lancaster County is exploding with creative talent, and we're really lucky to be a part of it."

"My goal, when I'm programming, is to find something that will affect someone," continued Robin. "We want to elicit responses like, 'I get that. I loved that.' Or 'That's one of the shows I always wanted to see.' We want people to see quality and make our patrons proud that we exist."

The Fulton stages hundreds of performances and shows each year - plays, musicals and concerts. The theater typically offers six shows on its main stage annually, and each show runs for an average of four to five weeks.

As part of its 173rd season, the Fulton Theatre will feature "Hairspray" from Friday, April 10, through Saturday, May 2.

On average, nearly 180,000 people visit the Fulton Theatre each year.

"The arts community encourages everyone to dream, it gives choices to topics of conversation and it improves our lives," said Robin, "and, most importantly, the arts allow a community to grow. That's any arts organization. If you put on a play, you're improving people's lives."

The Fulton's reputation and standing in the arts community allow it to attract performers, actors and stars from Broadway, national tours and major cities. Onstage magic occurs when professionals interact with local talent.

"Our talent comes from all over the country, and they come here to be part of our community that they've heard about," said Robin. "We also rely on our local community and our homegrown talent, which starts with our education program and outreach. The Fulton, as an organization, concentrates on growing deep, deep, deep and wide roots in our community."

In 1852, Fulton Hall, named for Robert Fulton, Lancaster's steam engine pioneer, was built on the Prince Street site of a pre-revolutionary jail as a meeting place for the community. The Fulton has endured a number of changes over the years, including a repurposing as a movie house.

The Fulton Theatre was closed for a time, and during the 1960s "The Grand Old Lady of Prince Street" was saved from demolition by a group of concerned citizens. But it was a $9.5 million capital campaign project in the mid-1990s that propelled The Fulton to its current success.

"I think our past always creates our present," said Robin. "In the past, (the Fulton) was a touring house, and it was a Vaudeville house. In its heyday, it was one of the most sought-after places to come."

"In the early 2000s, I think a lot of people were coming here because the building was beautiful," continued Robin. "Kind of like, 'Oh, there's a play on stage.' Now I think they're coming because of what's going on artistically."

For additional information, go to http://www.thefulton.org.