Apollo Theater Chicago

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For other uses, see Apollo Theatre (disambiguation).
Apollo Theater Chicago
Apollo theater Chicago.jpg
Address2540 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago
 United States
Coordinates41°55′40″N 87°39′08″W / 41.9278°N 87.6521°W / 41.9278; -87.6521
Owner
Capacity440
ProductionBe More Chill
Construction
Opened1978
Architect
Website
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.[1] Located at 2540 N. Lincoln Ave., the Apollo has 440 seats and a lobby featuring art exhibits and a full bar. The venue is currently temporarily closed due to COVID-19, however it is planning to reopen on June 7 2020 with the musical Be More Chill.[2] The theatre is also the home of the .[3] The Apollo Theater Chicago has no relation to the Apollo Theater in New York City.

History[]

Apollo Theater Chicago comfortably seats 440 guests


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.[4] 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 venue,[5] then in 1996 until present Rob Kolsen took over.[6]

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.[7]

Previous Productions[]

Notable productions at the new Apollo include David Mamet's Sexual Perversity in Chicago starring James Belushi,[8] Balm in Gilead with John Malkovich and Gary Sinise,[9] the long running play The Vagina Monologues, and A Nutcracker Christmas written by children's recording artist Ralph Covert of Ralph's World and . 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.[10]

References[]

  1. ^ "Apollo Theatre Chicago". Choose Chicago. Retrieved 2020-05-12.
  2. ^ "Be More Chill". Apollo Theater Chicago. Retrieved 2020-05-12.
  3. ^ Potempa, Philip (June 6, 2013). "Tail Telling Tale: Actor loves dreaming up own antics for his 'Cat in the Hat' rollicking role". The Times of Northwest Indiana. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
  4. ^ Balaban, David (2013). The Chicago Movie Palaces of Balaban and Katz. Arcadia Publishing p. 58. ISBN 978-0-7385-3986-7.
  5. ^ "The History of the Apollo Theater". Apollo Theater Chicago. Retrieved 2020-05-12.
  6. ^ "Apollo Theater Chicago". www.vamonde.com. Retrieved 2020-05-12.
  7. ^ StyleChicago.com (2016-01-06). "Apollo Theater Chicago - Chicago, IL". StyleChicago.com. Retrieved 2020-05-12.
  8. ^ Willistein, Paul (June 26, 1988). "'Red Heat' Adds to Jim Belushi's Stature -- about 10 Pounds". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
  9. ^ Mayer, John (2016). Steppenwolf Theatre Company of Chicago: In Their Own Words. Bloomsbury Publishing p. 75. ISBN 978-1-4742-3947-9.
  10. ^ Jones, Chris. "Why Chicago needs fun, long-running shows". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2020-05-12.

External links[]


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