The theater is a place where people of all ages and backgrounds can unwind and enjoy watching their favorite actors perform live. Chicago is home to many theaters, but some stand out as favorites among audiences. One such venue is “The Apollo Theater.” Read more about its history and development here on chicago-trend.com.
Construction and Development of the Theater
Built in the heart of Lincoln Park in 1978, The Apollo Theater was founded by talented theater producers Jason Brett and Stuart Oken, with its architecture designed by Michael Lustig.
The theater houses 440 comfortable audience seats arranged across 11 rows.
The Apollo Theater has a rich theatrical history. For its inaugural production, producers Oken and Brett selected Albert Innaurato’s play “Gemini,” directed by Broadway director Peter Schifter.
One of the theater’s true hits was David Mamet’s “Sexual Perversity in Chicago,” directed by former Second City artistic director Sheldon Patinkin, with James Belushi in the lead role.
In its second season, under Patinkin’s direction, The Apollo Theater presented the American classic “Waiting for Lefty,” written by Clifford Odets.
Other notable productions from the 1980s included “Harry Chapin: Lies and Legends,” “Steel Magnolias,” and others. The musical “Pump Boys and Dinettes” was particularly popular, running for five consecutive years.
The Apollo Theater became the birthplace of numerous plays produced by the renowned Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
Major Changes
In 1991, the theater’s leadership shifted as Michael Leavitt and the company Fox Theatricals took over its management. During this time, talented actors like John Astin and Jamie Farr began collaborating with the theater.
In 1996, producer Rob Kolson took the reins of The Apollo Theater. Under his leadership, the theater continued to delight audiences with internationally acclaimed hits. Two phenomenally popular musicals, “Always… Patsy Cline” and “The Buddy Holly Story,” were performed, followed by the hit show “The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron?”
Other notable premieres included “If You Ever Leave Me, I’m Going With You,” written by Renee Taylor and Joe Bologna.
In 2000, the theater premiered the popular play “The Vagina Monologues,” written by Eve Ensler, who also starred in the production. This play soon continued with well-known national stars, including Kim Fields, Judy Tenuta, and Amy Morton, among others. Notably, it ran for three years, becoming The Apollo Theater’s best-selling show in history.
On July 25, 2003, the Chicago musical “Menopause” debuted at the theater and became an absolute sensation, attracting around a quarter of a million viewers.
Following these successful premieres, The Apollo Theater saw a significant rise in attendance. To accommodate this, a second stage was built in 2005 in the space previously occupied by the “Act One” bookstore.
The new theater studio, seating 50, quickly became one of the most popular stages for comedy and sketch performances, hosting theater troupes more frequently.
In 2006, the popular sketch group “Baby Wants Candy” performed its improvised musical at the theater.
The Apollo Theater also houses Chicago’s largest children’s theater troupe, the Emerald City Theatre, which attracts approximately 5,000 young viewers annually.
Looking at all this, it’s clear that The Apollo Theater is a home for both emerging and seasoned theater artists.
