From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bank of America Theatre marquee
The Bank of America Theatre is a theater
located at 18 West Monroe Street in the Loop area of downtown Chicago, Illinois. Formerly known as the
LaSalle Bank Theatre, the Sam Shubert
Theatre and the Majestic Theatre, it is
currently owned by the Nederlander Organization and
operated by Broadway In Chicago. The theater
presents touring Broadway shows.
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.[1] Since
2000 the theatre has been owned and operated by Broadway In
Chicago and been host to pre-Broadway productions and world
premieres.[2]
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.
Restoration
Bank of America Theatre auditorium
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.[3] The
theatre now holds 1800 seats.
General
interest
After its construction the theatre became 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.
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.
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 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 2007 on its 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
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.
References
External
links
Coordinates: 41°52′51″N 87°37′42″W / 41.88083°N
87.62833°W / 41.88083;
-87.62833
Wikis
Map
Search
