CIBC Theatre
Rapp & Rapp) | |
Website | |
---|---|
www.broadwayinchicago.com |
CIBC Theatre is a performing arts theater located at 18 West Monroe Street in the Loop area of downtown Chicago. It is operated by Broadway In Chicago, part of the Nederlander Organization. Opened in 1906 as the Majestic Theatre,[1] it currently seats 1,800 and for many years has presented Broadway shows. In its early years, the theater presented vaudeville celebrity acts.
In the 1940s, the theater became part of the
History
The theater opened in 1906 as the Majestic Theatre, named for The Majestic Building in which it is housed. The Majestic was a popular
presented six operas during its two week engagement at the Majestic in October 1929.In 1932, the theater closed during the
Architecture
As the first theater built in Chicago after the Iroquois Theatre fire, the Majestic Theatre was specially cited 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 traditionally attended vaudeville. The house of the theater also has two prosceniums. These were constructed to racially segregate the audience, as they prevent patrons on the ground level from seeing the patrons on upper levels. Also, by some sources, this theater was once Chicago's tallest building.
Restoration
During the 2005–2006 restoration, elevators were finally installed within the theater. Previously, patrons had to exit the theater and use the elevators in the office building to reach the balcony. As part of the general revamp of the theater, paint chips were analyzed and the theater was repainted in what is believed to be the original color scheme. Most of the original fixtures, as well as the mosaic floor installed in the lobby when the theater opened in 1906, remain. Restorers also discovered a hidden archway in the lobby concession space during their work. This elaborately decorated arch had been walled-over years ago and was forgotten until construction began.[9] The theater now holds 1,800 seats.
Notable productions
This theater has been home to many pre-Broadway tours and world premieres.
As the Shubert Theater, the venue hosted the premiere of
References
- ^ "CIBC Theatre". Historic Theatre Photography.
- ^ Kapos, Shia (8 December 2015). "PrivateBank taking over Bank of America Theatre". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved 2015-12-09.
- ^ Daniels, Steve (August 15, 2017). "PrivateBank to change name to CIBC Bank". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved 2017-08-17.
- ^ Witchel, Alex (July 25, 1991). "Nederlander Buys Lease To Chicago's Shubert - But Will The Name Change?". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
- ^ Washburn, Gary (May 8, 1997). "Schools, Downtown Gain By 2 Land Sales Council Panel Backs Art Institute, Shubert Deals". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
- ^ Davies, Janet (February 7, 2006). "Shubert Theater to reopen with new name, new look". WLS News. Archived from the original on May 21, 2011. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
- ^ Di Nunzio, Miriam (May 21, 2006). "Curtain rises on LaSalle Bank Theatre: Former Shubert gets 21st Century Renovation". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
- ^ McPhee, Ryan (September 18, 2017). "The PrivateBank Theatre, Home to Chicago's Hamilton, Gets a New Name". Playbill.
- ^ "Broadway In Chicago Theatre Archive". Broadway in Chicago. Archived from the original on 24 July 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
- ^ "Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me". Broadway in Chicago. Archived from the original on 2013-10-23. Retrieved 2013-10-22.
- ^ Viagas, Robert (15 October 2015). "Complete Cast Announced for Jerry Mitchell's Broadway-Bound Gotta Dance". Playbill. Retrieved 2015-12-09.
- ^ Viagas, Robert (8 December 2015). "Chicago Will Get Its Own Hamilton Production in Fall 2016". Playbill. Retrieved 2015-12-09.
- ^ McPhee, Ryan (May 16, 2019). "Hamilton Sets Closing Date in Chicago". Playbill. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (February 14, 2023). "BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical Will Make Pre-Broadway World Premiere in Chicago". Playbill. Retrieved February 14, 2023.