LaSalle Bank Theatre

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Jersey Boys sign
Jersey Boys sign

The LaSalle Bank Theatre (formerly the Sam Shubert Theatre) is a Chicago theatre now owned by the Nederlander Organization and is operated by Broadway In Chicago. It is located at 18 West Monroe Street in the Chicago Loop area downtown.

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[edit] History

The theatre originally opened in 1906 as the Majestic Theatre, after its namesake encompassing building, The Majestic, which is now the Hampton Majestic hotel, which occupies floors 4-21 of the building. Forced to close in 1932 during the Great Depression, the theatre was purchased by the Shubert Organization in 1945, remodeled, and reopened as the "Sam Shubert Theatre." It was sold to the Nederlander Organization in 1991 and, in 2005, underwent restoration and a name change to the LaSalle Bank Theatre. Since 2000 the theatre has been owned and operated by Broadway In Chicago and been host to pre-Broadway productions and world premieres.[1] [1]

[edit] Architecture

Being the first theater built in Chicago after the Iroquois Theatre fire, the LaSalle Bank Theatre was specially credited for its fire safety. This theater was also constructed to bring a more elegant audience into the vaudeville circuit. The architects, Edmund R. Krause and the Rapp Brothers (George and Cornelius), thought that by using decadent colors and textures they could attract a more upper-class crowd than vaudeville was used to. The house of the theater also has two prosceniums. These were constructed to racially segregate the audience, as they prohibit patrons on the ground level from being able to see the patrons above them. Also, by some sources, this theater was once Chicago's tallest building.[2]

[edit] Restoration

Jersey Boys crowd
Jersey Boys crowd

During the recent restoration, elevators were finally installed within the LaSalle Bank Theatre. As part of the general revamping of the theater, old paint chips were analyzed and the theater was repainted in what is believed to be the original color scheme. Most of the original fixtures remain in the theater, as well as the mosaic lobby floor from when the theater opened in 1906. A hidden archway in the lower lobby concession space was also unearthed during the restoration. This elaborately decorated arch had been boarded up years ago and was forgotten about until construction began.[2] [3]

[edit] General Interest

After its construction the theatre became a a popular Chicago destination. The theatre was home to 12-15 vaudville acts running from 1:30 pm to 10:30 pm, six days a week.

[edit] Performers

In the 1920’s the theatre housed many famous stars because it became part of the Orpheum Circuit. Some of these performers included Eddie Foy, Harry Houdini, Lily Langtry, and Mabel McKinley.

[edit] Notable Productions

The LaSalle Bank Theatre has been home to many pre-Broadway tours and World premieres. In December 2001, John Lithgow starred in Sweet Smell of Success. June of 2002 was the premiere of Movin' Out based on the songs of Billy Joel and conceived, choreographed and directed by Twyla Tharp. Monty Python's Spamalot began its pre-Broadway tour in Chicago directed by Tony and Academy Award-winner Mike Nichols and starring David Hyde Pierce, Tim Curry and Hank Azaria. High School Musical premiered in July of 2007 on it pre-broadway tour. Jersey Boys began its long-run at the theatre in October 2007.

As the Shubert Theater, the venue hosted the premiere of the Goodbye Girl in 1993 prior to its Broadway run. The show was an adaption by Neil Simon of his screenplay of the the same name with music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by David Zippel and starred Bernadette Peters and Martin Short. In July 1995, the stage adaption of Victor/Victoria premiered starring Julie Andrews, Tony Roberts and Michael Nouri. It ran until September when it moved to New York. [4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Di Nunzio, Miriam (5-21-2006), “Curtain rises on LaSalle Bank Theatre: Former Shubert gets 21st”, Chicago Sun-Times, <http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20060521/ai_n16411265/pg_1> 
  2. ^ Nance, Kevin (2006-2-8), “Chamber of secrets: Architectural details uncovered in rehab of the former Shubert”, Chicago Sun-Times, <http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20060208/ai_n16043069> 

[edit] External links

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