LaSalle Bank Theatre


The opening of The LaSalle Bank Theatre, which was formerly the Shubert Theatre, has been pushed back until at least spring 2006. The refurbished theatre was originally scheduled to open in late January, however the reopening has been delayed because, of all things, an archaeological dig.

According to Broadway In Chicago, more time is needed to preserve the historical assets uncovered in the 100-year-old building’s renovation, which include mosaic floors and the original ceiling paintings. The restoration project architect, George Halik of Booth Hansen, stated that uncovering all the layers of history in the theater has been "a labor-intensive process."

This of course impacts a few shows that were originally scheduled to appear at the new theatre. “Tuesday With Morrie”, which was to open there January 31 will be rescheduled for February 28 – March 12 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Also, “Golda’s Balcony” which was scheduled to open February 14 will be rescheduled for June 2006.

The original LaSalle Bank Theatre opened as the Majestic Theatre in 1906 and was Chicago's first million-dollar-plus venue and the city's tallest building at the time. A hot spot on the vaudeville circuit and later host to such luminaries as Harry Houdini and Lily Langtry, the Majestic closed during the Great Depression and was shuttered for 15 years. Much of the original design was retained when the theatre was remodeled and reopened in 1945, in time for the heyday of favorites like Carousel, South Pacific, and Guys and Dolls. More recent production highlights include the Chicago premiere of Rent, the Tony-Award winning Sweet Smell of Success and the pre-Broadway, world premieres of Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp's Movin' Out and Monty Python's Spamalot.