Day 302: The Fireproof Theater: Theatre Week Day 2

     When the Iroquois Theatre burned in December of 1903, changes were very quickly made to the way that structures were built in the city and the regulations that theaters were held to so as to ensure fire safety.  The first new theater to actually be built pursuant to these regulations was the Majestic Theatre, built in 1906 by Rapp & Rapp(who would work on the Oriental Theatre 20 years later).  This venue started out its life as a vaudeville venue(much like the Oriental) which would host up to 15 acts every day 6 days a week.  The theater soon became part of the famed Orpheum Circuit, which ultimately was a forerunner to RKO.  Some of the more distinguished names to grace the stage were:

• Eddie Foy
• Al Jolson
• Lily Langtry
• Fanny Brice
• Harry Houdini

     Eventually, the Great Depression hit, and it hit hard.  So hard in fact, that the theatre was closed down in 1932, and wasn't reopened again until 1945 when the Shubert Organization stepped in to clean it up and reopen it.  In 1991, the Nederlander Organization purchased the theater, which was actually connected to a hotel as well.  In 2005, the theater underwent a large renovation, and was also given a new name.  The LaSalle Bank Theatre, after the new owner.  In 2008, LaSalle Bank was bought by Bank of America, and so the theater's name was changed again.  The theater has hosted several critically acclaimed shows over the years, and promises to be a Chicago jewel for many years to come.