Comments from btkrefft

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btkrefft
btkrefft commented about Bank of America Theatre on May 10, 2004 at 2:23 pm

Well, perhaps LaSalle Bank and Broadway in Chicago (the operator of the Shubert) will alter the name before the theater reopens after the restoration project. Looking at the Broadway in Chicago website again, the full name for the theater is supposed to be the LaSalle Bank Theatre at the Majestic Building. One the positive side, though, from the illustrations on this page, it looks like they are going to restore the now-cramped lobby, and recreate something similar to the Majestic’s original marquee instead of the ugly, boxy 50s style one that’s currently on there.

btkrefft
btkrefft commented about Bank of America Theatre on May 9, 2004 at 12:17 am

The Shubert has recently announced that after the $25 million restoration is complete about a year after it is set to begin in Janaury 2005, the theatre is going to be renamed the LaSalle Bank Theatre after the bank’s large contribution towards the project gave it naming rights. At least when Ford and Cadillac got naming rights for the Oriental and Palace Theatres respectively, they had the tact to keep the original theatre’s name in the new name, but LaSalle has opted not to incorporate either the Shubert or Majestic (the pre-40s name of the theatre) into their renaming. It was generally expected that when the Shubert reopened in 2006, it would be as the Majestic (which is still the name of the office tower that houses the theatre). At least the last of the major Loop showplaces is finally getting its long-awaited restoration, years after the Chicago, Oriental, Palace and Auditorium Theatres got their refurbishments. (see this recent Chicago Tribune article for more details).

btkrefft
btkrefft commented about 116th Street Theatre on May 7, 2004 at 3:25 am

It’s located between Lenox and 7th Avenues, closer to Lenox…I found this website that answers my own question. It IS the former 116th Street Theatre.

btkrefft
btkrefft commented about 116th Street Theatre on May 6, 2004 at 11:43 pm

The Canaan Baptist Church is now at this address—not sure if it’s housed in the former theatre or not. Can anyone verify?

btkrefft
btkrefft commented about Granada Theater on May 6, 2004 at 3:23 pm

Charles, what is the website of this Boller Bros. page you’re mentioning? No offense, but possibly, they might have an error on their page. It’s just that I can’t see how the building permit of the theater would have the wrong architect on it, unless Rupert worked with the Bollers or vice-versa, or one replaced the other at the last minute? Just thoughts…

btkrefft
btkrefft commented about Albemarle Theatre on May 5, 2004 at 4:12 pm

The spelling of this theatre has been corrected. You should be able to find it on the search engine now.

btkrefft
btkrefft commented about Prospect Theater on May 1, 2004 at 3:41 am

No, the address is 118 S. Main Street. Thanks for the information Charles.

btkrefft
btkrefft commented about Watseka Theatre on May 1, 2004 at 3:14 am

A vintage postcard view of the Watseka Theatre’s gorgeous Art Deco exterior can be seen here.

btkrefft
btkrefft commented about Prospect Theater on May 1, 2004 at 2:50 am

The Prospect’s demolition can be seen in this photo, dated 1991.

btkrefft
btkrefft commented about Peoples Theatre on Apr 30, 2004 at 2:42 pm

The nightclub BLVD and concert venue Crash Mansion downstairs is located at this address currently. Not sure if its housed in the old theater or a new building.

btkrefft
btkrefft commented about Pavilion Theatre on Apr 28, 2004 at 4:02 pm

A vintage view of the former Sanders Theatre can be seen here.

btkrefft
btkrefft commented about Southtown Theatre on Apr 28, 2004 at 2:21 am

Neo, David Naylor’s 1991 book “American Picture Palaces: The Architecture of Fantasy” has a photo, if I recall correctly, of the Southtown’s auditorium was it was being used as Carr’s deparment store, circa the 70s. Many libraries have this book but I believe it’s out of print.

btkrefft
btkrefft commented about Harlem Opera House on Apr 28, 2004 at 12:40 am

A 1949 photograph of 125th Street can be seen here with the Harlem Opera House at center, and further down, the Loew’s Victoria, and next to that, the Apollo.

btkrefft
btkrefft commented about Brooklyn Paramount Theatre on Apr 27, 2004 at 4:31 am

A 1949 photo of the Paramount’s marquee can be seen here.

btkrefft
btkrefft commented about Kenmore Theatre on Apr 27, 2004 at 1:49 am

A circa-1955 view of the Kenmore can be seen here.

btkrefft
btkrefft commented about Beverly Theater on Apr 27, 2004 at 1:40 am

The Beverly can be seen in this 1951-dated photograph showing the intersection of Church and McDonald Avenues.

btkrefft
btkrefft commented about Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts on Apr 26, 2004 at 1:48 pm

Here is a link which shows a couple of photos of the restored auditorium of the former Fox Watson. Also, the website mkmarshall references above is dead.

btkrefft
btkrefft commented about Academy Theatre on Apr 24, 2004 at 7:48 pm

Recos-not sure what you’re looking at but the photo is clearly marked “Academy Theatre” and “Waukegan, IL” if you’re clicking on the link in my post above.

btkrefft
btkrefft commented about Academy Theatre on Apr 24, 2004 at 7:33 pm

Recos, the photograph I posted is actually in fact the Academy Theatre in Waukegan, later called the Fiesta Palace.

btkrefft
btkrefft commented about Granada Theater on Apr 23, 2004 at 9:29 pm

E.P. Rupert is listed here as the architect of the Granada Theatre. Rupert, a Chicago-based architect, also designed the Liberty in Libertyville, IL, the Tivoli in Mishawaka, IN, and the Washington in Quincy, IL among others. A 1930s photograph of the Granada can also been seen here.

btkrefft
btkrefft commented about Tivoli Theatre on Apr 23, 2004 at 8:19 pm

Here is the correct link—
View link

btkrefft
btkrefft commented about Cadillac Palace Theatre on Apr 23, 2004 at 8:17 pm

A stunning 1926 view of the Palace’s auditorium can be seen here.

btkrefft
btkrefft commented about Pickwick Theatre on Apr 23, 2004 at 8:14 pm

Here is an early 50s postcard view of the Pickwick Theatre.

btkrefft
btkrefft commented about Memri Drive-In on Apr 23, 2004 at 8:10 pm

A night view of the Memri’s screentower can be seen in this early 1950s postcard view.

btkrefft
btkrefft commented about Lincoln Theatre on Apr 23, 2004 at 8:06 pm

A 1920s postcard view of the Lincoln can be seen here.