Studebaker Theater & Playhouse Theater
410 S. Michigan Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60605
410 S. Michigan Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60605
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Showing 26 - 50 of 120 comments
I believe the Studebaker is being redeveloped into a small performing arts center. Looking forward to visiting it in the future.
I don’t think the Playhouse is open.
Here’s a direct link to the article at afterthefinalcurtain.net (referenced two comments above):
http://afterthefinalcurtain.net/2015/10/01/studebaker-theatre/
From that article it looks like in fact both theatres have been restored and reopened (What are now called the Studebaker and the Playhouse)
1915 photo added courtesy of Jori Sobery Curry.
Name should be changed to Studebaker, status to Open
Incredibly, in 1917 the Studebaker was closed only 5 weeks for renovations. http://archive.org/stream/exhibitorstra00newy#page/710/mode/1up
Current piece on the Studebaker with great current photos. Copy and paste to view.
http://afterthefinalcurtain.net/
Great news. A theater once more and not demolished or converted into some stupid retail space. :)
The Studebaker is apparently to reopen October 18. http://www.studebakertheater.com
The newspapers were a little unclear. “The Fine Arts Theatre” and “The Fine Arts Music Hall” both appear in the Tribune from 1908-1912. I suspect the ‘music hall’ references were talking about Assembly/Curtiss Hall on the 10th floor but it’s not really clear. I’ll take it down and re-edit.
Bravo!!! One thing I noticed; you mention the small theatre was renamed the Fine Arts in 1908 and then you mention that the small theatre was renamed the Fine Arts in 1912. Is this an error in naming of the smaller theater?
We’re not not “bitching” about bad writing; we’re mentioning the fact that the description has way too many historical inaccuracies. For an excellent piece of writing on the history of the Fine Arts Theatres, and other Downtown Chicago movie houses, pick up a copy of “Downtown Chicago’s Historic Movie Theatres”, by Konrad Schiecke. I couldn’t have written it better myself.
I worked at the M&R Fine Arts Theatre 30 years ago. I wish somebody would re-open these 2 historic late 19th Century theatres.
Yes, this is a particularly inaccurate and confusing entry.
Broan; I’m glad you got it right. The author of this page has so much info incorrect.
Actually the Playhouse was University Hall until about in 1903, when it was renamed Music Hall and may have gained its balcony, renamed again in 1912, when it was rebuilt as the Fine Arts Theatre which it remained until 1917, when it was renamed the Playhouse, until it was renamed World Playhouse in 1932. Oddly, in 1917, the Studebaker was run by Jones, Linick, and Shaefer while the Playhouse was run by Alfred Hamburger, a competitor.
Here are 1898 views of the Studebaker and the Playhouse (then known as University Hall until the 1916 remodeling)
Here are recent views of the Playhouse and Studebaker
http://www.openhousechicago.org/site/144/ This year’s OpenHouseChicago features the opportunity to step inside the Studebaker.
If anyone has any stories about going to/ working at this threatre in its adult days, I would love to hear them. I am chronicling the histories of adult theatres in the US. Please contact me at mjprigge@uwm.edu Thanks!
Here is a 2006 video tape from CLTV News in Chicago. At the end of the report is footage of the auditorium of the Studebaker Theater a.k.a. Fine Arts Theatre #1.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxJvqOEjbLs
Another image in the lobby by the manned elevator.
View link
Solon S. Beman was the architect of the Studebaker Building, but a pamphlet providing information for self-guided walking tours of the Fine Arts Building (Google Documents quick view) says that the 1917 Studebaker Theatre was designed by architect Andrew Rebori. Solon S. Beman died in 1914.
Tim,thanks for the article and your hard work putting it together one has to have worked at a theatre to want to take the time to research and write it up. Thanks.And because you worked in the business it means more to us that did work in a theatre. Has Too.
I saw quite a few films right up to the closing of the Fine Arts complex (just once in what was the Studebaker); there were issues of renovation that needed to be addressed, but I loved the place. I hope it re-opens.