Ensemble is the first gossipfree oral history of chicago. Explore chicagos history with cpls digital and archival collections, recommended books and blog posts. Theater of the mind is a major work of radio history. The book of mormon, now five years old, has returned to chicago for second time in two years, still wildly popular, but more of a known entity. Set in the legendary city during the roaring jazz hot 20s, chicago tells the story of two rival vaudevillian murderesses locked up in cook county jail.
Every young theater artist should read this book to understand the history youre furthering in your work, and why its so important to honor creative expression and push boundaries. Broadway in chicago reaches out to form an unprecedented partnership between notforprofit and forprofit. Larson conducted interviews with more than 300 chicago theatermakers. Aug 12, 2019 rick kogan kicks off the night with author mark larson and his wife mary inside the allstate skyline studio with rick as he talks about his latest book ensemble. It didnt hurt that within the first paragraph one of my theater. Sinise had recently graduated from high school, and rick and leslie had one semester remaining. An oral history of chicago theater steppenwolf theatre. Drawing from more than 300 interviews, author mark larson weaves a narrative that expresses the spirit of. Or you can dip in and out and read mark larsons marvelous interviews with chicago theater people in any orderand to any stage of completionthat you like. That theatre history is not only the subject of mark larsons new book but also his presentation this monday, january 6th, at the harold. Chicago theater collection a list of collections at chicago public library representing theaters, designers, actors and other members of the theater community. The world renowned chicago theatre historic theatres. The play is on view at the northlight theatre in a beautifully acted and staged production that is entertaining, educational, exciting, and sometimes moving. This event will be held at 7pm in the downstairs theatre at 1650 n halsted st.
An oral history of chicago theater explores the early. Theater in chicago describes not only theater performed in chicago, illinois, but also to the movement in chicago that saw a number of small, meagerly funded companies grow to institutions of national and international significance. Opened in 1889 by famous architects louis sullivan and dankmar adler, the auditoriums architectural ingenuity, perfect acoustics, technical versatility and sightlines became internationally revered. Playwright lauren gundersons drama the book of will recreates the history of the work leading up to its publication. This history and memoir traces the evolution of the chicago theater scene from small theaters to major institutions such as the steppenwolf theatre company, the goodman theater, and the second city. New book ensemble follows the trail of chicagos legendary. Scintillating book of moron intellectually invigorating. Hull house, the social settlement house of chicago, had from the 1890s a theatre program under laura dainty pelham which performed the chicago premiers of numerous of the new plays of galsworthy, ibsen, and george bernard shaw. Find the chicago theatre venue concert and event schedules, venue information, directions, and seating charts. An oral history of chicago theater with author mark. The stunning landmark building is home to two magnificent stainedglass domes, as well as free. A fire in the iroquois theater in chicago, illinois, kills more than 600 people on december 30, 1903. This book squashes the nickname of the second city proving that chicago is arguably the greatest theatre city in the.
Best books to learn about the city and its history. Labeling herself as a reformer, jane byrne became mayor with 82% of the vote, the largest margin in chicago history. Includes commentary from actors, writers, and more. Find broadway shows, musicals, plays and concerts and buy tickets with us now. Lauren gundersons play is about the actors who saved the first folio after shakespeares death. An oral history of chicago theater larson, mark on. An oral history of chicago theater by mark larson is as good a historical record as any in tracing the colorful past of the chicago theater. The chicago history museum offers exhibitions and public programs that share chicagos stories, illuminating the citys past, engaging visitors in the citys present, and pointing to chicagos bright future. An oral history of chicago s theater movement from 1953 to the present day. An oral history of chicago theater midway books by mark larson. A history and a memoir of 1,001 nights in chicago richard christiansen and brian dennehy. In the 1970s, the building was originally built to house the drury lane theatre and, over the years, went from theatre to movie theatre and back to the legitimate theatre. Ensemble is the first gossipfree oral history of chicago theater lit. An oral history of chicago theater is an indepth, firstofitskind history of chicagos internationally celebrated theater scene, spanning 65 years and told through firstperson accounts from the people who made it happen.
Balaban, his brother barney balaban and partner sam katz. Chicago is a bona fide theater town, bursting with an. This is the conversation that mark larsons book ensemble. You can read it from beginning to end, as you would any narrative of fiction or nonfiction. The chicago blizzard of 1979 that paralyzed the city only fueled the fire that bilandic was an ineffective leader and helped elect byrne. Oct 15, 2014 the auditorium theatre of roosevelt university is celebrating its 125th anniversary season, and the architectural gem of chicago is ready for its close up.
The theater is featured in the book, the chicago movie palaces of balaban and katz, by david balaban, grandson of the original owner. The chicago theatre has the following available for people with disabilities. Author mark larson talks about his latest book ensemble. An oral history of chicago theater is a book you can enjoy in two ways. Storytelling is at the core of who we are as humans, and it is how we learn, identify ourselves, and connect to others. So the idea of the book expanded to focusing on six or seven emblematic theaters to tell the story of chicago theater, but when i tried to figure out which theaters to focus on it became clear. I opened the almost 700page book one evening in december thinking this will take all month to read, and i completed it in four days. The powerhouse creative team features music and lyrics by multiplatinum singersongwriter ingrid michaelson, and book by playwright bekah brunstetter, best known as a. Rick kogan kicks off the night with author mark larson and his wife mary inside the allstate skyline studio with rick as he talks about his latest book ensemble. As of 2011, as permitted under the terms of sale dictated by the city, the vertical chicago sign had a logotype for chase bank added to indicate sponsorship. The powerhouse creative team features music and lyrics by multiplatinum singersongwriter ingrid michaelson, and book by playwright bekah brunstetter, best known as a writer. It was the deadliest theater fire and the deadliest singlebuilding fire in united states history, resulting in at least 602 deaths. Broadway playhouse at water tower place broadway in chicago.
The oral histories in the book cover chicago theaters on both the north side and south side from 1953 until the present day. Initially i was going to do an oral history of one theater lookingglass theatre company. Join loyola university chicago libraries and edgewater village chicago for the book launch of ensemble. A series of historic images from the compass rose cultural crossroads collection. From tina fey to john malkovich, chicagos theatre scene has long been a hotbed for the entertainment industrys most talented people. Mark larsons ensemble captures chicago theater history in. A history and a memoir of 1,001 nights in chicago, former tribune theater critic richard christiansen noted that. It is nearly 700 pages long and filled with hundreds of voices charting decades of local theater history. The chicago fire of 1871, also called the great chicago fire, burned from october 8 to october 10, 1871, and destroyed thousands of buildings, killed an estimated 300 people and caused an.
Ensemble is the first gossipfree oral history of chicago theater. The iroquois theatre fire happened on december 30, 1903, in chicago, illinois. Chicago had long been a popular destination for touring productions, as well as original productions that transfer to broadway and other cities. An oral history of chicago theater with author and loyola alumnus mark larson on thursday, january 30.
An oral history of chicago theater attempts, and, overall, it succeeds. A history and a memoir of 1, 001 nights in chicago christiansen, richard, dennehy, brian on. Chicago is a bona fide theater town, bursting with an explosive, innovative vitality thats fed every sector of the entertainment industryfrom hollywood to broadway to studio 8hfor as long as its delighted adoring local fans. Chicago theater digital collections chicago public library. The two organizations have formed a longterm alliance that allows broadway in chicago the theatrical rights to book the prestigious auditorium theatre. Even if youre not from chicago, you will recognize many people who got their start there. Once upon a time in an anaheim, california orange grove, a magical kingdom was built and dedicated to americas history, dreams and wildest hopes.
Author mark larson reflects on his new book, ensemble. A copy of this book is in every branch of the chicago public library and can also be viewed at the commission on chicago landmarks office. Winner of the illinois state historical society book award for superior achievement a theater of our own is a fascinating, fastpaced. Chicago theater collectionhistoric programs finding aid the complete and everincreasing inventory of theater programs past and present, some of which are presented here.
Stuart gordon, legend of offloop theater and horror films. Join jane addams hullhouse museum for the book launch and reception for ensemble. An oral history of chicago theater is an indepth, firstofitskind history of chicagos internationally celebrated theater scene, written and curated by mark larson. Popular chicago history books goodreads share book. Popular theatre history books goodreads share book. Mark larsons encyclopedic new book chronicles the development of a unique artistic movement in chicago through the voices of more than. The chicago theatre chicago tickets, schedule, seating. The iroquois theater disaster killed hundreds and changed. Scintillating book of moron intellectually invigorating in.
But if the citys flourishing theater district is any indication, chicago is far from a stepping stone. One of my frustrations with theater is that its rarely recorded. In january of 1974, in highland park, illinois, rick argosh and leslie wilson approached their former high school classmate gary sinise about staging a production of paul zindels and miss reardon drinks a little. Another grassroots phenomenon, the proudly amateur little theater movement, found a strong foothold in chicago in the first quarter of the twentieth century beginning with the amateur theater established in 1899 at hull house. Theatre in chicago is proud to partner with goldstar to offer the following shows for up to half off the regular ticket price just click on a discounted ticket link below and simply register to view the discounted prices for each show and be able to purchase theatre tickets at great prices. As much of the shows satire is aimed at the cliches of socalled golden age musicals as at dogooder fantasies of africa, and the laughs still roll easily. Legendary auditorium that hosts a variety of entertainment, including stage events, concerts, dance, comedy and special events.
Drawn by its beauty and the fabulous free public events, hundreds of thousands of visitors come to the chicago cultural center every year, making it one of the most visited attractions in chicago. Towards a poor theatre by jerzy grotowski, history of the theatre by oscar gross brockett, the year of lear. Dcase homepage chicago cultural center architecture and history. This book squashes the nickname of the second city proving that chicago is arguably the greatest theatre city in the country. Mark larson has written a definitive history of chicago theatre. An oral history of chicago theater, in conversation with deanna dunagan and ensemble member amy morton. Courtesy of broadway in chicago at the very same moment that seven democratic presidential hopefuls energetically raked each other over the coals during tuesday nights television debate, robert dubac an actor, writer, comedian and grand master of sleightofhand and mind gleefully strode the stage of the broadway playhouse in his. Ensemble is an indepth, firstofitskind history of chicagos internationally celebrated theater scene, spanning 65 years and told through firstperson accounts from the people who made. Use these links to find books and other resources on each topic. The gilded arches have so many stories to tell about the past and gleam with the promise of performances to come. The standout part of the book begins deep into the history. Chicago shakespeare will stage the world premiere musical the notebook, based on the classic bestselling novel by nicholas sparks that inspired the hugely popular film. An oral history of chicago theater and reminsce about late author drawing from over 300 interviews, ensemble.
Maurice browne, the father of the movement, opened his influential little theatre of chicago in 1912. By clicking the sign up button, you agree that each of msg sports and msg entertainment and their promotional partners may send you emails at the address provided above from time to time on behalf of themselves and their affiliates and partners that may be of interest to you, including about events, promotions, activities and brands. In 1912 maurice browne founded the little theater in chicago, crediting pelhams hull house influence. An electronic version of the survey is available on the city of chicagos. Group standing inside the iroquois theater after the fire, viewing ruins, chicago, illinois, circa january 1904 chicago history museum the loss of life struck at the heart of chicagos upper. An oral history of chicago theater author to appear at harold. Events calendar, history, seating chart, and rental services are showcased.