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Chicago Theatres: Ford Center Oriental, Goodman, Cadillac Palace, LaSalle And Shakespeare Theatre
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Published: March 7, 2007
It's a shame that Chicago was—and continues to be—cast as the second city . Not only do Chicago theatres boast some of the most historic and opulent theatres in the country, they have also attracted and influenced theatre companies all across North America.
Chicago theatres have come a long way from that first recognized performance in 1837.
Chicago theatres reached lavish heights during the cultural renaissance and glamour of 1920's and survived the economic drought of the great depression. The 1980s and 90s saw the renovation of historic Chicago theatres with the help of the city government and private donations. Along the way, Chicago theatres have given the country John Malkovich and the Steppenwolf theatre company, internationally renown plays such "Grease" and "American Buffalo," and one of the most influential comedy outlets, Second City.
Not only do Chicago theatres boast an all-star cast of actors and directors, it's also home to a number of historic and eloquently designed theatre houses. Many of these Chicago theatres are concentrated on Randolph Street in the north end of the Chicago's loop, now known as theatre row.
One of the most famous and historic of the Chicago theatres is the Goodman Theatre. The Goodman Theatre was started in 1922 with a lucrative donation from William and Erna Goodman to the Art Institute of Chicago. In 1925 the Goodman staged its first production and for the following fours years housed a professional acting company. It wasn't until 1969 that the Goodman would again function with a full, professional company.
The next major phase in the life of the Goodman saw it separate itself from the Art Institute of Chicago in 1976. The Chicago theatre underwent even more changes when it was renovated. The theatre moved from its former location behind the Art Institute to 170 N. Dearborn Street in the North Loop right in the heart of the Chicago theatre district. In December 2000, the new Goodman Theatre opened its 856-seat proscenium house and a smaller 400-seat auditorium with a production of August Wilson's "King Hedley II."
The LaSalle Bank Theatre opened as The Majestic Theatre in 1906. Among Chicago theatres, it's the first million dollar theatre. After its completion in 1906, The LaSalle Bank Theatre was the tallest building in Chicago--a groundbreaking architectural design that focused on vertical construction. The LaSalle Bank Theatre began as a stop off for the vaudeville circuit and would later stage such luminaries as Harry Houdini.
Like most Chicago theatres, the LaSalle Bank Theatre was closed due to the onslaught of the depression and went into a 15-year hibernation. It opened again in 1945 as the Shubert Theatre and housed touring Broadway productions. In 1991, the Shubert Theatre was bought by the Nederlander Organization and went through a much needed renovation. The newly named LaSalle Bank Theatre opened its doors in 2005 at 18 West Monroe Street and continues to be one of the premier Broadway in Chicago theatres.
The Ford Center for Performing Arts Oriental Theatre is another one of Chicago theatres that has undergone extensive renovation. The Ford Center Oriental theatre, one of two Chicago theatres designed by the Rapp brothers, opened on May 8, 1926 and was an instant eye-pleaser with its extravagant Asian décor. The Ford Center Oriental theatre featured lustrous shows with American icons such as Charlie Chaplin and the Three Stooges.
After decades of neglect as a movie house, the Chicago theatre needed a drastic renovation. As the theatre district continued its resurgence throughout the 1980's and 90's, the Ford Center Oriental theatre received money from the city of Chicago and private investors (Ford contributing a large donation) and opened its doors on 24. W. Randolph Street in 1998. The Ford Center has staged Broadway hits such as "Blast"and "Sing-A-Long Wizard of Oz."
Included in historic Chicago theatres is The Cadillac Palace Theatre, formerly the Palace. The Cadillac Palace Theatre's story officially begins in the 1920's. Like the Oriental theatre, it was designed by the Rapp brothers. But instead of Asian décor, the Palace was modeled after famous European theatres. The Palace opened its doors on October 4, 1926 and was the home of the celebrated vaudeville company, Orpheum Circuit.
In 1996 the Palace, renamed the Cadillac Palace Theatre, underwent a drastic renovation. On December 9, 1999 the Cadillac Palace opened its doors at 171 W. Randolph Street to the public and was once again a 2,250 legitimate theatre. The Cadillac Palace has staged productions of numerous pre-Broadway hits such as Mel Brooks' "The Producers" and "Mama Mia."
Chicago theatres are famous for their international productions and historic theatre houses. Maybe it's time for Chicago to close the curtain on the stigma of being the second city, but until then don't let the wonderful theatrical offerings of Chicago theatres pass you by.
Sources:
Northwestern University Press Close-Up: A Theatre of Our Own-Christiansen.Nov. 2004. Northwestern University. 13 Feb. 2007 < http://nupress.northwestern.edu/title.cfm?ISBN=0-8 101-2041-0>.
A Brief History of the Goodman Theatre. The Goodman Theatre. 2006. 13 Feb. 2007 <http://www.goodmantheatre.org/About/History/In dex.aspx>.
Theatre History. Broadway In Chicago. 2000-2007. 13 Feb. 2007 <http://www.broadwayinchicago.com/theatreinfo_h istory.php>.
Chicago theatres have come a long way from that first recognized performance in 1837.
Related Articles
Not only do Chicago theatres boast an all-star cast of actors and directors, it's also home to a number of historic and eloquently designed theatre houses. Many of these Chicago theatres are concentrated on Randolph Street in the north end of the Chicago's loop, now known as theatre row.
One of the most famous and historic of the Chicago theatres is the Goodman Theatre. The Goodman Theatre was started in 1922 with a lucrative donation from William and Erna Goodman to the Art Institute of Chicago. In 1925 the Goodman staged its first production and for the following fours years housed a professional acting company. It wasn't until 1969 that the Goodman would again function with a full, professional company.
The next major phase in the life of the Goodman saw it separate itself from the Art Institute of Chicago in 1976. The Chicago theatre underwent even more changes when it was renovated. The theatre moved from its former location behind the Art Institute to 170 N. Dearborn Street in the North Loop right in the heart of the Chicago theatre district. In December 2000, the new Goodman Theatre opened its 856-seat proscenium house and a smaller 400-seat auditorium with a production of August Wilson's "King Hedley II."
The LaSalle Bank Theatre opened as The Majestic Theatre in 1906. Among Chicago theatres, it's the first million dollar theatre. After its completion in 1906, The LaSalle Bank Theatre was the tallest building in Chicago--a groundbreaking architectural design that focused on vertical construction. The LaSalle Bank Theatre began as a stop off for the vaudeville circuit and would later stage such luminaries as Harry Houdini.
Like most Chicago theatres, the LaSalle Bank Theatre was closed due to the onslaught of the depression and went into a 15-year hibernation. It opened again in 1945 as the Shubert Theatre and housed touring Broadway productions. In 1991, the Shubert Theatre was bought by the Nederlander Organization and went through a much needed renovation. The newly named LaSalle Bank Theatre opened its doors in 2005 at 18 West Monroe Street and continues to be one of the premier Broadway in Chicago theatres.
The Ford Center for Performing Arts Oriental Theatre is another one of Chicago theatres that has undergone extensive renovation. The Ford Center Oriental theatre, one of two Chicago theatres designed by the Rapp brothers, opened on May 8, 1926 and was an instant eye-pleaser with its extravagant Asian décor. The Ford Center Oriental theatre featured lustrous shows with American icons such as Charlie Chaplin and the Three Stooges.
After decades of neglect as a movie house, the Chicago theatre needed a drastic renovation. As the theatre district continued its resurgence throughout the 1980's and 90's, the Ford Center Oriental theatre received money from the city of Chicago and private investors (Ford contributing a large donation) and opened its doors on 24. W. Randolph Street in 1998. The Ford Center has staged Broadway hits such as "Blast"and "Sing-A-Long Wizard of Oz."
Included in historic Chicago theatres is The Cadillac Palace Theatre, formerly the Palace. The Cadillac Palace Theatre's story officially begins in the 1920's. Like the Oriental theatre, it was designed by the Rapp brothers. But instead of Asian décor, the Palace was modeled after famous European theatres. The Palace opened its doors on October 4, 1926 and was the home of the celebrated vaudeville company, Orpheum Circuit.
In 1996 the Palace, renamed the Cadillac Palace Theatre, underwent a drastic renovation. On December 9, 1999 the Cadillac Palace opened its doors at 171 W. Randolph Street to the public and was once again a 2,250 legitimate theatre. The Cadillac Palace has staged productions of numerous pre-Broadway hits such as Mel Brooks' "The Producers" and "Mama Mia."
Chicago theatres are famous for their international productions and historic theatre houses. Maybe it's time for Chicago to close the curtain on the stigma of being the second city, but until then don't let the wonderful theatrical offerings of Chicago theatres pass you by.
Sources:
Northwestern University Press Close-Up: A Theatre of Our Own-Christiansen.Nov. 2004. Northwestern University. 13 Feb. 2007 < http://nupress.northwestern.edu/title.cfm?ISBN=0-8 101-2041-0>.
A Brief History of the Goodman Theatre. The Goodman Theatre. 2006. 13 Feb. 2007 <http://www.goodmantheatre.org/About/History/In dex.aspx>.
Theatre History. Broadway In Chicago. 2000-2007. 13 Feb. 2007 <http://www.broadwayinchicago.com/theatreinfo_h istory.php>.
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