Chicago, Illinois, United States. Built for actor James Hubert McVicker, the theater was the leading stage for comedic plays in Chicago's early years. It often hosted performances by Edwin Booth, who married McVicker's daughter and was once targeted there in an attempted murder. Adler & Sullivan designed a remodel in 1883. Although destroyed in two fires, including the Great Chicago Fire
, McVicker's remained an operating theater until 1984. It was demolished the next year.
History
Founder James Hubert McVicker
James Hubert McVicker was born in
St. Louis, Missouri, and was named a journeyman three years later. However he found little enjoyment in the trade and he decided to acquire a classic education.[1]
In 1843, he entered a production at the
Chicago, Illinois. The comedian who had worked at John Blake Rice's theater was just about to leave and Rice offered his position to McVicker. His first performance there was on May 2, 1848, in My Neighbor's Wife. His wife also performed, starring in Hue and Cry.[1] McVicker starred opposite Rice's wife in Lend Me Five Shillings on April 27, 1849.[2]
Two years after the death of Dan Marble, McVicker purchased the right to use his plays from the family estate. He went on a national tour and then toured England in 1855. The next year, McVicker became manager of the People's Theater in St. Louis. The playhouse was very successful and in March 1857 he used the proceeds to establish a new theater in Chicago. McVicker's Theater opened on November 5, 1857, featuring its own stock company performing the comedic plays Honeymoon and Rough Diamond.[2]
Mark Gray fired two bullets in an unsuccessful attempt to murder Edwin Booth on April 23, 1879, while the actor was performing Richard II.[2]
Actors and actresses who performed in McVicker's company over the years included
Balaban & Katz purchased the building in 1926. It later showed films until it was shut down in 1984. It was demolished the next year.[3]
Decor
Printed image from McVicker's observanda; containing a graphic historical sketch of McVicker's theatre from its inception to the present date (1891)
The theater's decor, interior design work, steelwork, terracotta and other features were designed by many of Chicago's leading firms including Structural steel work by Albert H. Wolf; mason work by William D. Price; carpentery by Thos. Clark & Sons; ventilation and galvanized iron work by Jas. A. Miller & Bro.; plumbing and electric light fixtures by E. Baggot; painting and decorating by
Chicago Edison Co.; ornamental plasterwork by Schneider & Kline; ornamental iron work by W. H. Cheneworth Co.; tile work and fire-proofing by Illinois Terra Cotta, plain plasterwork by The Mackolite Plaster Co. and Michael Cyr; and bas-relief panels, by I^aSalles. The curtains March Through Illinois and The Fort Dearborn Massacre were by Johannes Gelert; and the principal curtain, Chicago in 1833, by Walter Burridge. The act drop curtain, Reverie of the Future, was by Ernest Albert.[4]
References
^ abFlinn, John J., ed. (1893). The Hand-book of Chicago Biography. Chicago, IL: The Standard Guide Company. p. 255.
^ abcdFreiserger, Edward (June 1911). "Theatre Beginnings in Chicago". The Theatre Magazine. XIII (124): 198–200.
^Balaban, David (2006). The Chicago Movie Palaces of Balaban and Katz. Chicago, IL: Arcadia Publishing. pp. 63–64.
^McVicker's observanda; containing a graphic historical sketch of McVicker's theatre from its inception to the present date (1891)
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