The event: As if on cue, the 125th anniversary of the Auditorium Theatre took center stage on the exact day the theater opened 125 years ago. The national historic landmark, headed by board chairman Melvin L. Katten of Winnetka and executive director Brett Batterson of Aurora, drew back the curtains for “Living the History: 125 Years of the Auditorium Theatre” on Dec. 9. A rapt audience of 600 turned out for a star-studded program that ushered in the next era of artistic excellence.
Hosted by veteran Chicago actor John Mahoney (“Frasier,”) the 1.5 hour celebration featured symphonic music, opera, Broadway musicals, rock and dance. Nostalgically, it offered performances by Broadway legend Patti LuPone whose great aunt, Adelina Patti, performed at the Auditorium’s 1889 opening, and by the Apollo Chorus of Chicago who also performed that night.
Cause célebre: When first built, the theater was one of the tallest buildings in Chicago, noted Mayor Emanuel, who issued a proclamation to make Dec. 9 “Auditorium Theatre Day” in Chicago. “It still stands with all the skyscrapers in Chicago (because) it’s what is done in the building that makes it stand so tall. (The Auditorium Theatre) has enriched all of our lives and is making Chicago one of the great cultural capitols of the world,” said Emanuel in his remarks.
“This a very special evening for the 125th of the Auditorium,” added Ashley Wheater, artistic director of the Joffrey Ballet. “It shows Chicago at its best. We all come together because we believe in our city; we celebrate our city and our art and our history and our culture.”
“Because of all the achievements and all the future achievements,” said Katten, “To all the people who got the Auditorium to this level, we say ‘Thank you!'”
Bottom line: The dinner raised more than $500,000 for Auditorium Theatre programming.
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