The Playwrights Center, Chicago

Years ago there was an organization in Chicago called The Playwrights Center. It welcomed ALL playwrights, making no distinctions of color of skin or ancestry. Any writer could get a reading, for FREE. And there was no prejudice against comedy playwrights. I recall seeing a reading by a priest, titled "You can dance with any Gorilla as long as you go Ape over me." Very Funny.

It is something I will always remember and probably will never see again.

I can't say what the barriers are, except to say that live theatre is in such a steep decline in America. In Chicago, many theatres have closed their doors or are simply broke.

KeithfrromQueens said: "I can't say what the barriers are, except to say that live theatre is in such a steep decline in America. In Chicago, many theatres have closed theirdoors or are simply broke."

Yes, and that is unfortunate. I was referring more to readings since that was what I thought your original post emphasized. In their most basic form, the costs are often fairly minimal.

The list of those that have closed over the years is quite extensive: Pulinsi Dinner Theatre, the Marquette Theatre group, the huge theatre operation in Indiana, other dinner theatre operations, numerous theatre operations on the North Side of Chicago, Joliet Playhouse, etc.

KeithfrromQueens said: "The list of those that have closed over the years is quite extensive: Pulinsi Dinner Theatre, the Marquette Theatre group, the huge theatre operation in Indiana, other dinner theatre operations, numerous theatre operations on the North Side of Chicago, Joliet Playhouse, etc."

It doesn’t seem like you’re from Chicago…


The correct name for “Pulinsi Dinner Theatre” is “The Candlelight Dinner Playhouse” in Summit, IL. It was owned by its co-founder, and artistic director, William (Bill) Pullinsi. It was credited with the distinction of being “America’s first Dinner Theater”.


After Candlelight closed, Pullinsi went on to become artistic director of “the huge theatre operation in Indiana”. I believe you’re referring to “Theatre at the Center” in Muncie. If you're not, you should be. (Still open and operational, btw).


“the Marquette Theatre group” is a chain of movie theaters, but I’m guessing you mean “The Marquette Theatre” which was located on 63rd and South Kedzie.


There is/was no “Joliet Playhouse” that I’m aware of. Maybe you’re referring to the "Rialto Square Theatre" in Joliet (btw, Joliet is a SW suburb of Chicago, not the North side). Joliet is the boyhood home of John Barrowman. Although Barrowman was born in Scotland, he came to Joliet at the age of 8. The Rialto is also still open and operational.

Updated On: 10/3/25 at 12:48 PM

I forgot about the old Joliet Playhouse - gone. It was not in a huge building. It was a small playhouse, theatre in the round. Years ago I saw Andy Devine as the lead in a play at the Joliet Playhouse. I also saw Mickey Rooney starring in a small play on the lake in Chicago. The play was "Three Beds and a Blanket." Those were the days!