Arie Crown Theater

Arie Crown Theater
Address 2301 South Lake Shore Drive
Location Chicago, Illinois
Coordinates 41°51′10.24″N 87°36′56.24″W / 41.8528444°N 87.6156222°W / 41.8528444; -87.6156222Coordinates: 41°51′10.24″N 87°36′56.24″W / 41.8528444°N 87.6156222°W / 41.8528444; -87.6156222
Public transit Cermak–McCormick Place
Owner Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority
Operator SMG
Capacity 4,250
Construction
Opened 1960
Renovated 1971
Website
www.ariecrown.com

The Arie Crown Theater is an entertainment venue named after Lithuanian immigrant Arie Crown, who was the father of Henry Crown, the American industrialist and philanthropist, and situated on Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. It opened in 1960, with seating for 5,000 people, one of the largest seating capacities in Chicago. The theater is part of the McCormick Place convention facility, owned by the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority.

The theatre was damaged by a fire in 1967 and was closed until 1971. After re-opening a year later for Mahalia Jackson's funeral, the Arie Crown Theater has had nearly four decades presenting classical and rock music, along with musicals.

Notable performers at the Arie Crown have included iconic stars such as Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Aretha Franklin, Richard Pryor, Sammy Davis Jr., The Jackson 5, Whitney Houston, Liza Minnelli, Sonny & Cher, Patti LaBelle, The Temptations, Diana Ross and Mary J. Blige among others.

In more recent years, the acoustics have been improved by changing the proportions of the auditorium and staging area and this has reduced the seating capacity to 4,250 people.

References

    • Hjort, Chris and Hinman, Doug. Jeff's book : A chronology of Jeff Beck's career 1965-1980 : from the Yardbirds to Jazz-Rock. Rock 'n' Roll Research Press, (2000). ISBN 0-9641005-3-3
    • Arie Crown. "The Arie Crown Theatre". Arie Crown.com. Archived from the original on 8 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-26.
    • Centre Stage. "The Arie Crown Theatre". Centre Stage Chicago.com. Retrieved 2009-02-26.
    • McCormick Place. "McCormick Place". McCormick Place.com. Retrieved 2009-02-26.
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