Tivoli Theatre
5021 Highland Avenue,
Downers Grove,
IL
60515
5021 Highland Avenue,
Downers Grove,
IL
60515
30 people
favorited this theater
Built in 1928, the Tivoli Theatre has been showing first run feature films since its inception. It opened on Christmas Day 1928 for the Balaban & Katz chain, and originally had a seating capacity for 1,390. The Tivoli Theatre was equipped with a Wurlitzer theatre organ.
Following years of detrioration, the Tivoli Theatre closed its doors for a brief time in 1978. The Tivoli Theatre is the flagship of the Classic Cinemas chain of theatres that serves some of the suburbs and areas around Chicago.
The theatre has film and digital projection and is equipped for 3D presentations. It is home to the After Hours Film Society, Midwest Ballet Theatre Co. and other live entertainment.
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Recent comments (view all 65 comments)
I wish there were more theatres like the Tivoli in the Bay State, and in New England, generally.
Very nice.
I grew up in Downers Grove and went to the “Tiv” on a regular basis as a kid. I remember that in 1965 the Dave Clark 5 appeared at the Tivoli Theater because their movie was premiering one evening and they showed up on a bus. Does anyone else remember this? It did deteriorate over the years, but it has been renovated (not necessarily restored)to the previous grandeur. Glad to see D.G.’s old Grand Dame is surviving and thriving!
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Here is a photo taken at the Tivoli with the lights out, showing the proscenium arch and the organist playing the Mighty Wurlitzer.
From 1949 a photo postcard of the Tivoli Theatre & Hotel in Downers Grove.
Was there any relationship between Van Gunten and Van Gunten and Eugene De Rosa? To me the Tivoli looks similar to this place:
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Back in 1965, my parents and I traveled from Southern California to Illinois so they could visit friends and family in their old stomping grounds. Lucky for me, the Dave Clark 5 were out promoting their latest film and stopped by the Tivoli. They simply walked on stage, waved, and left. So, yes, Mary, I was there, too. After their appearance, I ran outside, under the arms of the police officers surrounding their tour bus, and got right up next to the bus. I just stood there with my mouth hanging open, too shy to try anything else.
Mary, if you see this, I have some great photos I took of the DC5 that day.
Here is an early view of the Tivoli with its original marquee and a parapet at the roofline that was later removed.