Ford Center of the Performing Arts, Chicago (WICKED)

[cmars1010]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 4:42pm

does anybody have a link to any good pictures of the inside of the theater where Wicked is playing in Chicago? thanks!

[justagirl2]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 4:49pm

The Oriental:



(Lobby)

It's gorgeous.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 4:51pm

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 5:13pm

It's a beautiful theatre in every way! Gorgeous interiors, great sight lines! I've never had a bad seat. It's fun before the show to hear people looking at the very elaborate decor and hear them saying "Is that an elephant? Are those Flowers or goat's heads?" It's quite something!

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 5:34pm

I am not using this post to bash wicked.. just saying.. why must this gorgeous house be tied up with this show?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 6:08pm

It is the famous Oriental Theater designed by Rapp & Rapp of NY & Brooklyn Paramount fame . It used to have stud lighting out front. No idea if it still does

It was one of the big theaters that once graced the loop. All except the Chicago are gone

Updated On: 1/8/07 at 06:08 PM

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 6:29pm

That theater is gorgeous.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 6:37pm

If not for Garth Drabinsky, this theater would be either deteriorating or gutted. For this alone, he deserves our thanks

Imagine if Drabinsky did get involved in these shenannagins. He would be a real driving force in the theater. A loss for everyone involved

Updated On: 1/8/07 at 06:37 PM

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 7:26pm

[MotorTink]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 7:28pm

That place is breath taking, and I've only seen pictures. I would love to see it in person.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 7:47pm

"I am not using this post to bash wicked.. just saying.. why must this gorgeous house be tied up with this show?"

Yes you are.

Furthermore, I can't think of a better show to be in this theater. It's the biggest hit show in the city, and has done more for the theatre industry in that city than any other show.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 9:08pm

As georgeous as the theater is, it lost some fixtures & ornamentation when Balaban & Katz auctioned off much of it when they sold off a ton of stuff from all their Chicago theaters

They used to have georgeous elephant chairs. Still & all, a great restoration job

[BroadwayBound062]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 9:11pm

its absolutely beautiful, i love that theatre!

[e]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 9:14pm

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 9:17pm

Other than the Ford logo add on, I think that is the original vertical sign that always adorned the theater

Those in the loop that did not make it are:

Mc Vickers
Roosevelt
State Lake
United Artists

Updated On: 1/8/07 at 09:17 PM

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 9:20pm

Mr. Roxy, were the Cadillac Palace Theatre and the Oriental Theatre designed by the same architect? I ask this because their format is almost identical.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 9:27pm

The Palace was a vaudeville theater while the Oriental was an honest to god Picture Palace

Even though I do believe Rapp & Rapp did the Palace they are 2 totally different styles

They also did the Paradise, Southtown & Tivoli . All 3 were eye popping & all 3 are gone. The Tivoli had a lobby patterned after the Chapel @ Versailles. The Paradise had an aurora borealis over the procensium which had 4 plaster horses topping it. The lobby of the Southtown , as big as a train station, had flamingo pools - I kid you not. Not real flamingos but even so

[cmars1010]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 9:55pm

Thanks for all the pictures everyone, I was debating going to see Wicked (because I am so poor!) but it seems worth it just to see the theater!

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 10:01pm

Love the theatre and love the show. I've seen "Wicked" at The Oriental four times.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 10:02pm

I just never got the mentality of those who knocked down those gorgeous theaters, including the former Metropolitan Opera House in NYC.

Yes, those pictures are great. Thanks for taking the time to post.

Mr. Roxy, thanks for taking the time to explain, too!

Updated On: 1/8/07 at 10:02 PM

[Candleshoe2]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 10:03pm

Just go see it! Not only is the theatre beautiful and breathtaking inside (and perfect for "Wicked"'s set), the current performers are top-notch! It shouldn't be a waste of money!

[Candleshoe2]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 10:03pm

Just go see it! Not only is the theatre beautiful and breathtaking inside (and perfect for "Wicked"'s set), the current performers are top-notch! It shouldn't be a waste of money!

[donna_darko_23]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 12:14am

Wow, I forgot how beautiful of a theater the Oriental really is... probably because the set of Wicked sort of hides some of the beauty of it.

[Justin D]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 7:38am

the set doesnt really hide that much, but its a beautiful theatre

[cmars1010]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 10:43am

JustinD - What seats were you in from that picture? It looks like balcony, but what row? thanks!