Exactly 125 years from when the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University opened its doors in 1889, the national historic landmark, led by Board Chairman Melvin L. Katten and Executive Director Brett Batterson, will mark its 125th anniversary with a special performance, "Living the History: 125 Years of the Auditorium Theatre" on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 6 p.m.
The celebratory evening, which begins with a star-studded program at the venue, 50 E. Congress Pkwy., will include a tribute to the diverse entertainment that has been, and continues to be presented at Auditorium, including symphonic music, opera, Broadway musicals, rock music and dance.
Chicago actor John Mahoney ( Frasier ) will host the event, which will feature performances from Broadway figure Patti LuPone and the Apollo Chorus of Chicago, which performed at the 1889 opening.
As for the venue, it's a place filled with history and intriguing details. One of said details, displayed at a recent media event, involved Director of Creative Engagement at Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University Christina Bourne dazzling journalists with her pristine singing. The trick was that she was on the stage, and the writers were standing at the very back of the theatersand several stories high.
Auditorium Theatre Executive Director Brett Batterson and City of Chicago cultural historian Tim Samuelson provided many more items of interest during this event, discussing the history of the place. ( One tidbit was that Dankmar Adler, Louis Sullivan and young draftsman Frank Lloyd Wright were involved in the formation of the venue. )
Tickets are $35-$125 for the Dec. 9 show, and are available by visiting ticketmaster.com/auditorium, by calling 800-982-ARTS ( 2787 ) or stopping by Auditorium's box office.
Andrew Davis