Chicago Theatre, Movie theater and performance venue in North State Street, Chicago, US
Description
The Chicago Theatre is a theater building on North State Street in Chicago, United States, designed in French Baroque style with a massive vertical sign and marble columns. The interior spans seven stories and displays elaborate ornaments, curved balconies, and gilded plasterwork throughout the auditorium.
History
Rapp and Rapp designed this 3,600-seat hall, which opened in 1921 and is considered the first large movie theater of its kind in the United States. After a period as a variety theater, the building was fully restored in the 1980s and has since returned to service as a performance venue.
Culture
The name reflects its role as a flagship cinema that shaped the urban concept of movie palaces. Today visitors encounter grand foyers with chandeliers and marble staircases reminiscent of European opera houses.
Practical
Guided tours take place on weekdays and bring visitors through the foyers, auditorium, backstage areas, and dressing rooms. The tour lasts about an hour and requires climbing stairs, as several levels are explored.
Did you know?
The exterior marquee sign contains more than 2,800 light bulbs and rises six stories tall, making it a landmark of the Theater District. The original Wurlitzer theater organ was restored during renovation and plays during select events.
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