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Chicago Theatres: Ford Center For The Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre
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Published: November 15, 2006
One of Chicago's most popular historical and contemporary venues is the Ford Center for the Performing Arts. Known to locals as the Oriental Theatre, it is located at 24 W. Randolph Street in Chicago's Loop Theatre District. It also is one of three theaters participating in the city's popular “Broadway in Chicago” series.
Currently, the Ford Center for the Performing Arts hosts musicals and plays.
However, it was originally built as a movie palace, which was popular during the early 20th century. The theater debuted on May 8, 1926, with a showing of an early Joan Crawford film.
Its original name, The Oriental Theatre, is derived from its Asian influenced interior decorating designed by George L. and Cornelius W. Rapp. Patrons frequented the Oriental Theatre to take in its exotic atmosphere, which was enhanced by polychrome figures, large mosaics of Indian princes and princesses, elephant throne chairs, multicolored Buddhas, numerous carvings of animals, fauna and human faces, and ushers wearing colorful turbans.
Although the Ford Center for the Performing Arts was built to host motion pictures, it also was used to showcase live stage shows by popular performers. Famous comedians, singers and musicians frequented the Oriental Theatre’s stage. These performers included Paul Ash, the Three Stooges, Judy Garland, Sophie Tucker, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Cab Calloway, Fanny Brice and Danny Kaye. The theater soon developed a reputation as one of the best places to experience live performances of great jazz bands, which included the legendary jazz musician Duke Ellington.
The Oriental Theatre fell into disarray during the 1970s with the advent of multiplex movie theaters. Due to declining patronage, the theater was reduced to showing exploitation films. Not even its addition into the Federal Registry of Historic Places in 1978 could prevent its ruin. Eventually, the Oriental Theatre was closed in 1981 due to its disrepair and the frequent violent outbreaks between rival street gangs.
In 1996, the Oriental Theatre underwent an 18-month restoration and renovation project. This project was funded by the city of Chicago and Livent, Inc. Newly restored and renamed the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, the theater opened its doors to the public on October 18, 1998.
Today, the Ford Center of the Performing Arts hosts live musical shows and plays. It also remains on of Chicago's most famous historical landmarks.
Sources:
Newman, Scott A. Oriental Theatre. Jazz Age Chicago. 12 January 1997. 13 November 2006 .
Oriental Theatre. Wikipedia. 14 Septemeber 2006. 13 November 2006 .
Theatre History. Broadway In Chicago. 2000-2006. 13 November 2006 .
Currently, the Ford Center for the Performing Arts hosts musicals and plays.
Related Articles
Its original name, The Oriental Theatre, is derived from its Asian influenced interior decorating designed by George L. and Cornelius W. Rapp. Patrons frequented the Oriental Theatre to take in its exotic atmosphere, which was enhanced by polychrome figures, large mosaics of Indian princes and princesses, elephant throne chairs, multicolored Buddhas, numerous carvings of animals, fauna and human faces, and ushers wearing colorful turbans.
Although the Ford Center for the Performing Arts was built to host motion pictures, it also was used to showcase live stage shows by popular performers. Famous comedians, singers and musicians frequented the Oriental Theatre’s stage. These performers included Paul Ash, the Three Stooges, Judy Garland, Sophie Tucker, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Cab Calloway, Fanny Brice and Danny Kaye. The theater soon developed a reputation as one of the best places to experience live performances of great jazz bands, which included the legendary jazz musician Duke Ellington.
The Oriental Theatre fell into disarray during the 1970s with the advent of multiplex movie theaters. Due to declining patronage, the theater was reduced to showing exploitation films. Not even its addition into the Federal Registry of Historic Places in 1978 could prevent its ruin. Eventually, the Oriental Theatre was closed in 1981 due to its disrepair and the frequent violent outbreaks between rival street gangs.
In 1996, the Oriental Theatre underwent an 18-month restoration and renovation project. This project was funded by the city of Chicago and Livent, Inc. Newly restored and renamed the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, the theater opened its doors to the public on October 18, 1998.
Today, the Ford Center of the Performing Arts hosts live musical shows and plays. It also remains on of Chicago's most famous historical landmarks.
Sources:
Newman, Scott A. Oriental Theatre. Jazz Age Chicago. 12 January 1997. 13 November 2006 .
Oriental Theatre. Wikipedia. 14 Septemeber 2006. 13 November 2006 .
Theatre History. Broadway In Chicago. 2000-2006. 13 November 2006 .
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