An analysis of the history of the famous chicago theatre

A hot spot on the vaudeville circuit and later host to such luminaries as Harry Houdini and Lily Langtry, the Majestic closed during the Great Depression and was shuttered for 15 years. In AprilBroadway In Chicago announced a new location to their family of theaters: Nederlander, President of the Nederlander Organization, announced. In the s, the building was originally built to house the Drury Lane Theatre and over the years went from theatre to movie theatre and back to the legitimate theatre Drury Lane Water Tower.

Grand opening, growth, and decline[ edit ] Marquee during the theater's 90th anniversary The Y-shaped figure behind the horizontal word Chicago on the State Street marquee is the city's "municipal device", a badge which symbolizes the forked Chicago River at Wolf Point.

Rapp and George L.

Throughout its existence, many of the top performers and stars of their day made live appearances at the theater. One of its biggest draws was live jazzwhich Balaban and Katz promoted as early as September in a special event they called " Syncopation Week".

This proved so successful that jazz bands became a mainstay of the Chicago Theatre's programming through the s and into the s.

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For example, Ronald Reagan announced his engagement to Jane Wyman at the theater. During the economic and social changes of the s, business at the theatre slowed for owner Plitt Theatres, affecting ongoing viability.

Daley declared July 12, " Roger Ebert Day in Chicago" and dedicated a plaque under the marquee in his honor. The structure is seven stories tall and fills nearly one half of a city block. The grand staircase is patterned from the grand stair of the Paris Opera House and ascends to the various balcony levels.

The crystal chandeliers and bronze light fixtures fitted with Steuben glass shades were designed and built by Victor Pearlman and Co. The orchestra pit is approximately 6 feet 1.

An adjustable pit filler can be used for performances requiring other levels. The original marquee was basic and facilitated two lines of text for announcements. The —23 marquee had ornate "flashing pinwheels, swirls and garlands of colored lights". Organ[ edit ] The theatre is also known for its grand Wurlitzer pipe organ.

At the time it was installed it was known as "The Mighty Wurlitzer" and could imitate the instruments of an orchestra.Chicago History Timeline.

Use these links to find books and other resources on each topic. Prior to History of Chicago. First issue of Chicago Tribune published; Chicago Board of Trade founded Lyric Theatre of Chicago (Lyric Opera) founded; First section of Congress Expressway (Dwight D.

Official Name

Eisenhower) . Jan 28,  · Top 15 Most Famous Theatres in the World. By Steve Collis, via Wikimedia Commons. Entertainment is a cornerstone of modern culture and the presentation of plays, operas as well as movies has been highly important to societies throughout the world.

He built a huge following both in New York (where he played at the New York Paramount) and Chicago (at State Street's legendary Chicago Theatre). Crawford became famous for his lush stylings, well-crafted arrangements, and subtle mastery of registration. The Chicago Theatre was among the earliest theaters in the nation to be built in Rapp and Rapp's signature Neo-Baroque French-revival style.

It is the oldest surviving example of this style in Chicago. Chicago is a city rich with history and we've created a list of fun facts about the city's population, history, attractions and many more interesting stories. In , Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley announced that the Oriental would be restored to its original grandeur for the presentation of live stage musicals by Livent, Inc.

Renamed the Ford Center for the Performing Arts in , the restoration of the theatre was completed in October , at which time it was opened with the Chicago premiere of RAGTIME.