subject: Discover The Spectacular Chicago Theatre [print this page] Chicago is a lovely tourist destination and is bursting with surprises and magnificent tourist sites. Barrack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Lake Michigan, Chicago Cubs, and the Chicago Bears are just some of the many reasons that Chicago is so famous. Chicago is one of the largest cities of the United States and lies in the state of Illinois. Formed as a city in the year 1837, Chicago saw a massive growth in its industrial sector due to the transportation industry and later became a transportation hub.
Amongst the many things that attract tourists to Chicago every year are Chicago Theatres. Chicago has the richest ensemble of theatres and you would find 100s of theatres catering to various tastes. Plays, musicals, broadway plays, and more all play on a regular basis in the theater district. If you are a first timer when it comes to performance arts, Chicago is a great place to start.
One of the most famous Chicago Theatres is the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Its specialty is musicals and off-Broadway shows. The seating arrangement, ambiance, and the environment are perfect for indulging in your favorite shows.
You may also want to visit one of the oldest theatres in Chicago, The LaSalle Bank Theatre, also known as The Shubert Theatre. Built more than 100 years back in the year 1906, it saw a down-period during the recession but has picked back up since then.
The hub of all theatres, The Chicago Theatre, is located in the downtown area of Chicago and is certainly the best of the lot. Opened during the year 1921, it was constructed for an astounding 4 million dollars. Its six-story high C-H-I-C-A-G-O marquee and sign is its most unique feature. It boasts some excellent shows like Shear Madness, Chris Botti, Cedric the Entertainer, and Songwriters.
The ostentatious grandeur of Chicago Theatre is simply breathtaking and leaves visitors awe-struck. The stately staircase and spectacular auditorium with stunning murals have contributed to The Chicago Theatre also being referred to as "The Wonder Theatre of the World". Initially constructed as a movie theatre in French Baroque Style, it was the flagship of the Balaban and Katz theatre chain.
It features a stately five story high lobby sculpted similar to the Royal Chapel at Versailles. The majestic staircase is molded after the Paris Opera House. It has a grand 3,600 seats auditorium of seven stories. The opening night on October 26, 1921 featured a "The sign on the door" with Norma Talmadge on screen, the mighty Wurlitzer played by Jesse Crawford, and a 50-piece orchestra.
During 1933, The Chicago Theatre was redecorated for the Chicago's World Fair and after modernization in 1950's they discontinued stage shows there. The 1970's saw a downslide of business and finally a closedown in 1985. In 1986, the Chicago Theatre Restoration Associates undertook a multi-million task to restore The Chicago Theatre and rescued it from demolition. The Chicago Theatre came back to life and opened with a grand performance by Frank Sinatra on September 10, 1986.
