Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago

With rose-marbled walls, crystal chandeliers, gold plaster ornamentation and huge mirrors, this theater has the look and atmosphere of a French palace. Indeed, the space -- originally opened in 1926 as a vaudevillian showcase and later a live theater -- was modeled after Versailles. Located next door to the Hotel Allegro (formerly the Bismarck Hotel), the venue is part of the development of a revived Randolph Street theater district. The 2,300-seat Palace, with orchestra, dress circle and balcony, was renovated at a cost of $20 million. After the Cadillac division of General Motors purchased naming rights, the Cadillac Palace opened with its inaugural production of "Aida" in November 1999. In 2001, it debuted the smash hit "The Producers."