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Home » Theater Guide » Location » United States » Illinois » Chicago » Apollo's 2000
Also known as Marshall Square Theatre

Apollo's 2000

Chicago, IL
2875 W. Cermak Road
, Chicago, IL 60623 United States
(map)
773.247.0200
Status: Open
Screens: Single Screen
Style: Art Deco, Spanish Renaissance
Function: Concerts, Live Performances
Seats: 1340
Chain: Unknown
Architect: Roy B. Blass, Alexander L. Levy
Firm: Unknown
Apollo's 2000
Exterior photograph of the former Marshall Square Theatre
Photo courtesy of Carla G. Surratt and PicturingChicago.com
Opened in 1917, the Marshall Square Theatre was designed by Alexander Levy, who later teamed with Frederick Klein to go on to design some of Chicago's greatest movie palaces, like the Granada and Marbro Theatres. It was located in the Marshall Square neighborhood on 22nd Street near Marshall Boulevard (22nd Street was later renamed Cermak Road, after the Mayor of Chicago, Anton Cermak, 1931-33, who died from a bullet in Miami meant for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt).

Originally a venue for both vaudeville acts as well as movies, the Marshall Square later switched to a movies-only policy, until the screen went dark in the 70s.

In 1936, architect Roy B. Blass remodeled the Marshall Square, and new signage was added on the the elegant terra-cotta covered facade. One of the support beams for the soaring vertical sign was unfortunately rammed right through the large terra-cotta face of a beautiful goddess above the main entrance, sadly destroying it.

Today, restored and renovated in the 90s for use as a concert hall, the Marshall Square is now known as Apollo's 2000.
Contributed by Bryan Krefft

YOUR COMMENTS

 
Remodeling was done by Roy B. Blass in 1936
posted by BWChicago on Mar 29, 2006 at 6:03pm
Nice interior photos here:

http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=21660

I think this is the best remaining example of a theatre from this era in the Chicagoland area.

It seems to be thriving. Not sure, but I heard once that the guy who runs the Aragon Ballroom also has an interest in this place.

posted by Life's too short on Apr 3, 2006 at 4:47pm
Well, there's the Central Park (but that's in pretty iffy shape) Riviera (poorly painted), the Fine Arts (built as legit), and if we expand to 1920, the Portage. Not having seen it in person, it's hard to judge, but it may well be the best-kept example.
posted by BWChicago on Apr 3, 2006 at 5:34pm
Yeah, that's pretty much my thought process as well. I am not nearly as up on the status of Chicago's remaining theatres as I was fifteen years ago. But there may be some others still kicking around in various neighborhoods, being used different ways (or not used at all).

By the way Brian, I've been meaning to mention that your research is impressive. Keep it up. You'll be running a redevelopment agency one day.

posted by Life's too short on Apr 4, 2006 at 5:34am
In the book UNEXPECTED CHICAGOLAND by Carmilio Jose Vergara and Timothy Samuelson (ISBN: 1565847016, December 2001, New Press, The)
the signpost rammed thru the face of the goddess is described as
"Chicago's Pinnochio". If you look closely at the photo above, you can see it. It is the bottom post at the bottom "0".
posted by PAUL FORTINI on Apr 4, 2006 at 6:10am
The theater sign boldly reading "Marshall Square Theater" can be seen briefly but full screen in the 1983 Sean Penn movie Bad Boys, a good part of which was fiilmed within a few blocks of the theater.
(Marshall Square resident)
posted by MarshallSquare on May 25, 2006 at 8:01pm
Here is a profile from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency's HAARGIS system. It includes a small picture.
posted by BWChicago on Jun 17, 2006 at 9:23am
A recent exterior view of the Apollos 2000/Marshall Square can be seen here.
posted by Bryan Krefft on Mar 18, 2007 at 10:04am
A Kimball theater organ KPO 6431 was installed in the Marshall Square Theater in 1917.

posted by Lost Memory on Sep 11, 2007 at 5:24pm
This was the flagship theater of the small Goodman & Harrison chain in the 40s and 50s, and their offices were located in the Marshall Square Theatre building. The other theaters in the chain were the Illington, Douglas, West, and Rosette Theatres.
posted by Bryan Krefft on Nov 20, 2007 at 6:54pm
This is another exterior photo.

posted by Lost Memory on Nov 20, 2007 at 7:07pm
I think the title, "Stupid, Stupid, Stupid!" is a little harsh. But this guy does have a point:



Caption:

There are few crimes for which I would prescribe a spear through the face as a just punishment... but this is one of them! Really, what idiot decided to put the sign support pole directly through the face of the lovely goddess on this old theatre on Cermak? Probably a misogynist...

Web Address:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/comtessedespair/2447202599/

posted by Life's too short on Jun 29, 2008 at 3:35am
The Marshall Square Theater is listed in a 12/1/74 article in the Chicago Tribune about the Spanish-language movie houses of Chicago.
posted by Bryan Krefft on Nov 26, 2008 at 10:23am
Here are some 1982 photos:
http://tinyurl.com/c8e3pf
http://tinyurl.com/dyfyhu
http://tinyurl.com/dc5rf5
posted by ken mc on Apr 18, 2009 at 7:44pm
Complete with an AMC Hornet moved twice, into a fire lane. Enough said.
posted by David Zornig on Apr 18, 2009 at 9:56pm
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