In a facility originally built to provide Chicagoans a breath of fresh air, Theater On The Lake continues that tradition in its own way this summer with its 50th season of performances. The legacy has included Broadway performer Karen Mason, Dan “Homer Simpson” Castellaneta and Bill Zane, a local actor whose namesake son accompanied him to shows before later starring in “Titanic” and other films.
The Chicago Park District’s current format consists of weekly productions by different local theater groups. Second City’s “All the Stage Is a World” kicked off the season June 12 and shows continue through Aug. 11, when Porchlight Theatre closes with “Promises, Promises.” Along the way, groups performing include Griffin Theatre Company, Famous Door Theatre Company and Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
This is a far cry from the initial purpose of the facility at Fullerton Avenue at Lake Michigan. It was built in 1920 as a fresh-air sanitarium — or day care center — for Chicago children, who were provided with free health service, milk and lunches in the summer days when air conditioning did not exist. More than 30,000 children were helped each summer. The sanitarium was discontinued in 1939, when part of the building was demolished during reconstruction of Lake Shore Drive. The facility served a variety of functions over the next decade, including as a USO center during World War II. The park district converted it to a community theater in 1953, and professional groups took over the stage in 1996.