Rialto Theatre
25 S. Genesee Street,
Waukegan,
IL
60085
25 S. Genesee Street,
Waukegan,
IL
60085
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The Waukegan Theatre opened in 1910. It was renamed New Barrison Theatre in 1911, and Orpheum Theatre in 1921.
It was renamed Rialto Theatre in 1934 when it became part of the Publix Great States Theatres chain, and was remodeled in 1935. The Rialto Theatre was closed in 1953.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 2 comments)
“Workmen are now busy rejuvenating the old Rialto theater, at 25 South Genesee street, Waukegan, which has been closed for the last eight years, into a modern playhouse from plans by Pereira, Snsensy(sp) & Pereira, Chicago architects. Construction will be rushed so that it can be opened within a few weeks. One of the features of the rebuilt cinema will be its lighting effects, both on the exterior and in the lobby, which will be similar to the Firestone sign at A Century of Progress. If you saw that, you’ll remember that it held the eye with constantly blending of colors caused by concealed Neon tubes.
The exterior walls of the front elevation will be of brown porcelain enameled steel, with vermillion division strips. Both the exterior and the lobby, as well as the interior, will be extremely modern in design. The house will have 600 seats.” Before and After pictures included. Chicago Tribune, Feb 3, 1935
The principals of Pereira & Pereira, the firm that did the 1935 remodeling of the Rialto Theatre, were William Pereira and Hal Pereira. Percival Pereira was an older architect who was never a member of this firm.