Rhapsody Theater
1328 W. Morse Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60626
1328 W. Morse Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60626
3 people
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Showing 26 - 36 of 36 comments
It sounds interesting. I didn’t know anything about this place until I heard about the Trib write-up. They have an interesting video, too, that takes you through the place.
I guess this shows how observant I have been as I ride past on the el everyday. I haven’t been up Morse Street in a long time – there must be a lot of changes…. I hope.
Is there any indication regarding what’s to be done about the parking problem there?
Some nice photos and story HERE
Architects were Grossman & Proskauer.
Recent photos of this theatre are HERE
Hi LTS —
You might be right that “gutted” is too strong a word. Andy McGhee had told me beforehand that there was basically nothing left of the original decor. Nonetheless, you can still see a few traces both inside and out, and you can also see the hallmarks of the 1930s-era renovation.
One of the interesting things that Andy pointed out was that some elements of the Morse are virtually identical to the Village North. The terra cotta on the parapet walls, in particular, is nearly identical.
Nice pictures Cam. I wouldn’t go as far as to say the space has been gutted. I think that phrase gets overused on this site (just my opinion, not looking to start any verbal battles). Gutted to me has always meant: four brick walls and no interior elements remaining. This place is not in great shape. But there is a lot left to work with.
Hi All —
Although the interior of the Morse is gutted, there is no mistaking its roots. Thanks to AMcGhee’s willingness to put up with me and my camera, some recent pictures can be seen here:
http://www.mekong.net/random/photoi19.htm
For those of us who are accustomed to seeing old theatres ground to dust, the Morse project is a terrific change: this one appears to be coming back from the dead.
In late 2005 the old Morse Theatre was purchased by an investment group in Chicago, with plans to redevelop the existing 1912 theater building. Construction has begun as of June, 2007, and should be completed in the spring of 2008. When completed, the Morse Theatre will include a 299 seat live performance venue, and a 100 seat full service restaurant. The redevelopment will feature a restoration of the original 1912 terra cotta façade, as well as a recreation of the Art Modern style cinema marquee which advertised coming attractions from 1935 until 1954 when the Morse was operated as a one screen neighborhood cinema under the Co-Ed name. Sadly, little remains of the theater’s original interior. The new performance space will feature cabaret style seating on multiple levels rather than traditional cinema seating.
The Morse Theatre performance venue will feature a state of the art digital audio system as well as full audio and video sound stage production capability. While our primary focus will be seated live concerts, with a focus on jazz, traditional old time, country, bluegrass and contemporary singer songwriters, we also plan to offer classic, documentary and independent films digitally, on a 22 foot wide screen.
The Morse Theatre redevelopment is a LEED qualifying Tier 1 environmental construction project, certified by Mayor Daley’s Green Permit Program.
We are excited to have the opportunity to return this 1912 Vaudeville and silent film nickelodeon to its roots, and to participate in the economic redevelopment of the wonderful Rogers Park neighborhood. The Morse Theatre and The Century Public House are privately funded projects of Rogers Park Entertainment Ventures, Inc. Please follow our progress at www.themorse.com
Parking seems to be the issue.
Interesting. I guess it could work. People go to Rogers Park to visit Heartland Cafe.
Apparently there is a proposal to restore the building. View link