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The Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago has been giving fans of theater and vaudeville a chance to watch performers like Jack Benny and productions like The Producers since the facility opened in 1926 at 151 West Randolph Street.
The building was designed by the Rapp Brothers after they had impressed the city with such theatrical gems as the Ford Center for the Performing Arts Oriental Theatre and the Chicago Theatre. The building was inspired by the brothers’ adoration from the Fountainebleau and the Palace of Versailes. The result was the impressive Cadillac Palace Theatre with arches, huge mirrors, breche violet and white marble, and walls dressed with gold leafing and wood decorations.
This has been one of the few theaters to survive the crushing effect of the Great Depression and the search for scraps during World War II. The fact that the theater owners had painted the brass white during the Second World War was only discovered during the restoration of the Cadillac Palace Theatre in 1999.
Throughout the venues long existence it has changed names and purpose with the times. At first the theater was the New Palace Theatre and hosted vaudeville acts as well as theater productions. In 1984 the theatre became the rock venue Bismark Theatre. Only in 1999 did the venue return to its roots and go through a restoration that allowed theater fans to buy tickets to see productions like Mary Poppins at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.
Cadillac Palace Address:
151 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60601
