Auditorium Theatre's 125th Anniversary Gala Set for 12/14

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, celebrates its milestone 125th Anniversary with a special performance, "Living the History - 125 Years of the Auditorium Theatre" on December 9, 2014. The celebratory evening, which begins with a star-studded program at the Auditorium Theatre (50 E Congress Pkwy), will include a tribute to the diverse entertainment that has been, and continues to be presented at the theatre including symphonic music, opera, Broadway musicals, rock music and dance. The performance will be immediately followed by a Gala Celebration Dinner at the Palmer House Hilton (17 E Monroe) to cap off the extraordinary night.

"The Auditorium's 125th Gala Celebration showcases the diversity and scope of talent that has graced the historic landmark stage since it opened in 1889. We estimate that over 20 million audience members have attended the theatre in its 125 year history and the memories created for those patrons have helped to make the Auditorium the iconic destination that it is for all Chicagoans," said Auditorium Theatre Executive Director Brett Batterson. "The world was astounded when the Auditorium opened its doors on December 9, 1889; the grandeur of Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler's pioneering design put Chicago on the world map and paved the way for the city to host the 1893 World's Fair. We are honored to be able to celebrate this important landmark's 125th birthday and promise a celebration worthy of this grand theatre's legacy."

Paying homage to the past, present and future of the Auditorium and its Chicago roots, the evening's host, Chicago actor John Mahoney, will welcome friends old and new to the stage, helping to commemorate the original opening night of the theatre on December 9, 1889. Broadway legend Patti LuPone, whose great-grand aunt Adelina Patti sang on the very same stage at the original grand opening, will delight guests with show-stopping numbers. A performance by the Apollo Chorus, who also performed at the 1889 opening, will perform "Do You Hear the People Sing?" from the iconic musical "LES MISERABLES", a Broadway masterpiece that has been performed numerous times at the Auditorium. Chicago's premiere cultural institutions, including members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and singers Hlengiwe Mkhwanazi and Eric Owens from the Lyric Opera of Chicago, perform, paying tribute to the stage that was built as Chicago's home for classical music. Also paying tribute to the world-renowned dance that has graced the stage in recent years, dancers from Joffrey Ballet-which has made its home at the Auditorium for the past 16 years-will perform, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will present a special performance by two Chicago area natives, Sarah Daley and Vernard Gilmore.

Recognizing the astounding rock shows that filled and continues to fill the 3,875 seats of the Auditorium-and have launched the careers of some of the most acclaimed performers in history-the "All-Star Band" will have guests up on their feet and dancing in the aisles. Made up of legendary Chicago musicians including Jim Peterik (Ides of March and Survivor) on guitar and vocals, Barbara Unger-Wertico on keyboard, Richard Patterson (Miles Davis and Michael McDonald) on bass and Paul Wertico (Pat Metheny Group) on drums, the "All-Star" band will turn the Auditorium into a full-fledged rock concert.

As a special salute to the veterans who were accommodated at the Auditorium during World War II, the theatre is planning a salute to their service as part of the festivities. Currently, the Auditorium is seeking those living veterans and volunteer workers who were at the Auditorium during WWII in order to collect their memories for the salute. Please call (312) 341-2365 to be in touch with theatre personnel if you or someone you know was at the Auditorium Theatre during that time.

The glamorous affair, directed by the acclaimed Rachel Rockwell, a "Chicago director whose career has flourished at such musical theaters as the Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace and the Paramount Theatre in Aurora" ("The Chicago Tribune"), and who most recently directed the new production of "Brigadoon" at the Goodman Theatre, begins at 6 p.m. Immediately following the performance, Gala Celebration guests will be shuttled to the Palmer House Hilton where they will be welcomed by Rich Daniels and The City Lights Orchestra, before being treated to an elegant dinner and more Anniversary surprises.

In honor of the momentous anniversary, First Lady of the United States, Mrs. Michelle Obama, will serve as the Honorary Chair for this historic season-long celebration highlighted by the gala celebration; Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Amy Rule will serve as Honorary Co-Chairs. Co-Chairs for the 125th Anniversary Season include Norm and Virginia Bobins, Steve and Nancy Crown, Jorge and Catrina Ramirez, Mike and Beth Reese, Jim and Sandy Reynolds, Jack and Carole Sandner, Ed and Dia Weil and Jeff Tweedy and Sue Miller. Gala Dinner Co-Chairs are Joan Colmar, Phil Lumpkin and Helen Hall Melchior. The Gala Dinner Celebration is sponsored by the Pasquinelli Family Foundation.

"On behalf of all Chicagoans, we are thrilled to celebrate the Auditorium Theatre's 125th birthday," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "This national historic landmark is representative of our rich history in the arts as well as the unique Chicago architecture styles that have influenced American building structures for generations. The Auditorium Theatre continues to make Chicago a leader in the arts and culture today, and I wish the theatre nothing but good fortunes in the coming years."

To post a comment, you must register and login.