ROGERS PARK — A historical theater in Rogers Park is acquiring nevertheless a different makeover, this time morphing into The Rhapsody Theater that will host magic displays and concert events, and consist of a cafe.
The Rhapsody Theater is opening in Might in the former Mayne Stage house at 1328 W. Morse Ave. Serving most not long ago as a marriage and situations room, the circa 1912 theater will return as an entertainment venue centered close to magic performances.
The new venture comes from Dr. Ricardo T. Rosenkranz, a health practitioner and professor at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medication. Rosenkranz is also a highly regarded illusionist who produces “The Rosenkranz Mysteries.”
Rosenkranz and his staff bought the Mayne Stage house from Col. Jennifer Pritzker’s TAWANI Enterprises, which shown the 23,000-sq.-foot theater and cafe creating for sale.
The Rhapsody Theater will host magicians as properly as concert events showcasing globe audio, chamber music, cabaret and dance performances, the organization mentioned in a news launch. Rosenkranz will serve as the theater’s running spouse and artistic director.
“… Our ultimate objective is to deliver a total new genre of theatrical and musical experiences to Chicago,” Rosenkranz mentioned in a assertion. “We are honored to become a element of the Rogers Park neighborhood and add to the beautiful fabric of this assorted and ahead-seeking community.”
The 200-seat Rhapsody Theater will also have a cafe and three bars. It will include things like an upstairs lounge that can host following-overall performance gatherings and meet-and-greets.
A more compact place for “close-up magic” will debut in the fall, according to the theater.
The theater’s inaugural run will start off in June with the premiere of magician Carisa Hendrix’s theatrical show “Lucy Darling: Indulgence.” There will also be reveals this summer season from the psychic Ross Johnson, Spanish magician Jandro and the renowned magic artist Zabrecky.
Tickets for the to start with collection of performances will go on sale May possibly 1 at www.rhapsodytheater.com.
Perform on the making is ongoing, as crews had been operating Thursday to remodel the marquee from its former Mayne Phase branding.
The theater location will inject new life into a 100-moreover-calendar year-aged entertainment hall in Rogers Park.
The theater debuted in 1912 as Morse Theater, showing vaudeville acts. In the 1930s, it was remodeled in an artwork deco concept and renamed the Co-Ed Theater as a nod to close by Loyola University, in accordance to the Rogers Park West Ridge Historical Culture.
The Co-Ed closed in 1954 and the theater grew to become home to Congregation Beth Israel Anshe Yanovas and a shoe repair service store.
Credit rating: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoTAWANI Enterprises opened Mayne Stage in the theater place immediately after a multi-million rehab project in 2010, according to DNAinfo Chicago. Mayne Stage hosted theater and new music performances. The enterprise also opened Act One Pub in the area.
In 2016, Mayne Stage ditched its are living performances and turned into a marriage and situations heart.
TAWANI marketed Mayne Stage to the Rhapsody Theater enterprise in late 2021 for $2.35 million, property documents demonstrate. Col. Pritzker is the cousin of Gov. JB Pritzker and a well known true estate trader on the Much North Aspect.
Now again to internet hosting reside performances, regional leaders hope the Rhapsody Theater can be the newest amusement mainstay in Rogers Park.
“The Rhapsody Theater will provide as a staple for several years to come and we as a group look forward to supplying our frustrating support on its opening this spring,” Ald. Maria Hadden (49th) reported in a statement.
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