Apollo Theater Chicago

{{Infobox theatre

|name = Apollo Theater Chicago

|image = Apollo theater Chicago.jpg

|caption =

|address = 2540 N. Lincoln Ave.

|city = Chicago

|country = {{USA}}

|designation =

|coordinates = {{coord|41.9278|-87.6521|type:landmark|display=inline}}

|architect = Michael Lustig

|owner = Rob Kolson Creative Productions

|capacity = 440

|type =

|opened = 1978

|yearsactive =

|rebuilt =

|closed =

|othernames =

|production = The Choir of Man

|currentuse =

|website = {{URL|http://www.apollochicago.com}}

}}

The Apollo Theater Chicago was built in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood in 1978, by theatre producers Jason Brett and Stuart Oken.{{Cite web|title=Apollo Theatre Chicago|url=https://www.choosechicago.com/listing/apollo-theatre-chicago/|website=Choose Chicago|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-12}} Located at 2540 N. Lincoln Ave., the Apollo has 430 seats and a lobby featuring art exhibits and a full bar. The theatre is also the home of the Emerald City Theatre Company.{{cite news |last=Potempa |first=Philip |url= https://www.nwitimes.com/niche/yourfamily/entertainment/theater/tail-telling-tale-actor-loves-dreaming-up-own-antics-for/article_0f236367-a06f-52ed-b837-374f4bca74c6.html |title=Tail Telling Tale: Actor loves dreaming up own antics for his 'Cat in the Hat' rollicking role |work=The Times of Northwest Indiana |date=June 6, 2013 |access-date=July 17, 2019}} The Apollo Theater Chicago has no relation to the Apollo Theater in New York City.

History

File:Apollo Theater Chicago.jpg

The Apollo Theater Chicago is not the first Chicago theater to bear the name Apollo. In 1921, theatrical producer A. H. Woods opened the Apollo Theatre in the Chicago Loop District, at the corner of Randolph and Dearborn Streets.{{cite book |last=Balaban |first=David |title=The Chicago Movie Palaces of Balaban and Katz |publisher=Arcadia Publishing p. 58 |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-7385-3986-7}} Originally operated as a playhouse, the old Apollo Theatre was sold in 1927 to United Artists Corporation and was renamed the United Artists Theatre. It was demolished in 1989.

In 1991 Michael Leavitt and Fox Theatricals took ownership of the Lincoln Park venue,{{Cite web|title=The History of the Apollo Theater|url=http://www.apollochicago.com/history/|website=Apollo Theater Chicago|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-12}} then in 1996 Rob Kolsen took over.{{Cite web|title=Apollo Theater Chicago|url=https://www.vamonde.com/posts/apollo-theater-chicago/4328|website=www.vamonde.com|access-date=2020-05-12}}

In 2005, a smaller 50 seat second stage was built, in what was formerly the Act One Bookstore. The smaller venue is popular for comedy, sketch shows, and improv theater.{{Cite web|title=Apollo Theater Chicago - Chicago, IL|url=https://stylechicago.com/apollo-theater/|last=StyleChicago.com|date=2016-01-06|website=StyleChicago.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-12}}

Productions

Notable productions at the new Apollo included David Mamet's Sexual Perversity in Chicago starring James Belushi,{{cite news |last=Willistein |first=Paul |url= https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1988-06-26-0050110021-story.html |title='Red Heat' Adds to Jim Belushi's Stature -- about 10 Pounds |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=June 26, 1988 |access-date=July 17, 2019}} Balm in Gilead with John Malkovich and Gary Sinise,{{cite book |last=Mayer |first=John |title=Steppenwolf Theatre Company of Chicago: In Their Own Words |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing p. 75 |year=2016 |isbn=978-1-4742-3947-9}} the long running play The Vagina Monologues, and A Nutcracker Christmas written by children's recording artist Ralph Covert and G. Riley Mills. From October 1, 2008 to January 17, 2016, the Musical Million Dollar Quartet played at the venue, making it the longest running Broadway musical in Chicago.{{Cite web|title=Why Chicago needs fun, long-running shows|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/ct-million-dollar-quartet-what-next-column.html|last=Jones|first=Chris|website=chicagotribune.com|access-date=2020-05-12}}

References

External links

{{Official website|http://www.apollochicago.com}}

Category:Theatres in Chicago