Copernicus Center (Chicago, Illinois)
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| Address | Chicago, Illinois United States |
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| Coordinates | 41°58′05″N 87°45′31″W / 41.968096°N 87.758631°W |
| Owner | Copernicus Foundation |
| Construction | |
| Opened | June 27, 1930 |
| Architect | Rapp and Rapp |
| Website | |
| copernicuscenter | |
The Copernicus Center (formerly Gateway Theatre) is a 1,852-seat former
The former Gateway Theater was designed by architect Mason Rapp of the prestigious firm of
History
June 27, 1930, was the opening day for Jefferson Park's new deluxe motion picture palace. Weeklong festivities in the area leading up to the opening were capped off by a gargantuan parade sponsored by area businesses. All the Chicago dailies covered the event, and in fact, the Chicago Herald-Examiner put forth a full-page spread proclaiming the new theater as "the most acoustically perfect theatre in the world." The reports were not guilty of sensationalism, as the architects indeed had given extra special attention to the acoustics, as talking pictures, a relative newcomer to the entertainment field had found a perfect environment in this new, different theater.[citation needed]
The original Grand Hall and Grand Foyer ceilings and walls were designed and hand painted in a maze of connected Greek/Roman scenes of Deities and custom patterns by noted Chicago artist Louis Grell (1887–1960).[2]
Because of the new sound films (nicknamed "
For over 50 years, the Gateway was the direct-from-the-
In 1977, the search began for a permanent site to house a
In 1985, the "Solidarity Tower", with its matching facade, was erected atop the building. The exterior of the building was modified to resemble the historic
In 1988, the Lake Shore Symphony Orchestra became the official orchestra-in-residence. The orchestra practices weekly and hosts concerts three times a year.[citation needed]
The present
Since then, the theater has been cleaned, a
Musical concerts, plays, athletic competitions, seminars, dance recitals, children's plays, choir competitions, and Candidates' Nights are just some of the many programs presented in the theater.[citation needed]
As knowledge of the existence of the theater grew, so did its usage and programs. The Copernicus Center theater is now in use an average of 48 weeks per year, with the heaviest usage during the weekends. The programs have become more sophisticated in nature and serve many more people. The theater seats 1,890.[citation needed]
Access
The Copernicus Center is located one block west of the Lawrence Avenue exit of the
See also
- Balaban and Katz
- Theatre in Chicago
- History of Chicago
- Culture of Chicago
- Poles in Chicago
- Polonia
- Polish-Americans
References
- ^ Frank Suerth (January 2005). "The Gateway Theater" (PDF). Jefferson Park Historical Society. pp. 14–15. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 27, 2011. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
- ^ Grell, Louis (2 December 2012). "Louis Grell artist file". Marquis Who's Who in America on Demand.
External links
- Jefferson Park Historical Society's article on the Gateway Theatre
- Description of the Gateway Theatre
- Picture of the 'old' Gateway Exterior
- View of the Present Gateway Theatre's Exterior and its historic Wurlitzer Organ
- Balaban and Katz Foundation
- Balaban and Katz
- Louis Grell Foundation
