Cadillac Palace Theatre Information
The Cadillac Palace Theatre formerly known as The New Palace Theatre and the Bismarck Theatre is a top venue located in Chicago that hosts the biggest and best broadway shows ever written. The Theatre has a seating capacity of over 2000 with a range of seating options, including premium seating at the front, operated by is operated by Broadway In Chicago, a Nederlander Presentation.
The Cadillac Palace Theatre — located at 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL — is a hub for Broadway performances, concerts, movies, and shows within the Chicago Loop. The theater seats 2,344 people in orchestra, dress circle, loge, and balcony seating. The seats are velvet plush, making for a comfortable viewing experience.
This venue has an exciting vaudeville history, opening in 1926 as part of the Orpheum Circuit. When vaudeville began to die down in the early 1930s, the theater began showing movies, eventually transitioning to pre-Broadway tours by the 1990s. Soon, Broadway in Chicago began running the theater’s roster, bringing spectacular Broadway performances to its stage.
Today, the theater’s lineup typically features Broadway shows, while some dance and ballet performances and concerts occasionally light up the stage. Its location in Chicago’s central business district places the theater just a few blocks from attractions like the James R. Thompson Center, the DuSable Monument, The Picasso, and City Hall.
The theatre was opened in 1926 at a cost of $12 million it was renamed in 1984 and later in 1999. During the war the theatre interior was painted white to trick the government, who needed brass for Ammunition. It was later rediscovered and restored to the original state., its beautiful appearance alone attracts theatre lovers worldwide. The Cadillac Palace became home to pre-Broadway tours and world premieres with the opening of Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida in the autumn of 1999, as well as broadway shows Mel Brooks’s The Producers, Oprah Winfrey presents The Color Purple and the national tour of Mary Poppins.
For the latest shows coming to the Cadillac Palace Theatre head over to the Events page
Theatre History
Located in the Chicago Loop, the Cadillac Palace Theatre started life as the New Palace Theatre in the Roaring Twenties. Since then, it has evolved into a premier cultural hotspot, offering entertainment to all generations. The theater has a rich legacy of hosting vaudeville performances, movie premieres and world-class Broadway productions.
Timeline
1926: Designed by the architectural firm Rapp and Rapp, the Cadillac Palace Theatre opened its doors on the 14th October 1926. The venue was designed as a lavish and immersive experience for patrons with high ceilings, elaborate chandeliers, ornate detailing, and decorative plasterwork. It was originally known as the New Palace Theatre and was part of the larger Balaban and Katz theater chain. During its earlier years, the theater hosted vaudeville performances including comics, musicians, dancers, and magicians.
1930: The Balaban and Katz theater chain was a huge entertainment company at the time. They played a significant role in the development and operation of movie palaces. With the decline of vaudeville in the late twenties and the boom of the movie industry, the theater quickly made a name for itself as the premier movie house in Chicago. During this Golden Era, they screened a variety of films, ranging from silent movies to the early talkies.
1999: The Nederlander Organization invested $2.5 million to restore the theater. The restoration focused on preserving the original French Baroque architecture while adding technological upgrades to meet modern standards. This included improvements to the theater’s lighting, sound systems, seating, and backstage facilities. After the restoration was complete, the theater had a grand reopening under its new name, the Cadillac Palace Theatre.
1999 – Present: The Cadillac Palace Theatre has become a famous venue for live Broadway productions, musicals, plays, comedy shows, concerts, and cultural performances. The venue has become a key player in Broadway in the Chicago network, hosting a number of touring productions including Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical “The Phantom of the Opera,” the stage adaptation of Disney’s animated classic “The Lion King,” and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s groundbreaking musical “Hamilton” – just to name a few!
In 1999, the automobile manufacturer Cadillac purchased naming rights to the theater, changing the name from the New Palace Theatre to the Cadillac Palace Theatre. This transition led to the venue seeing more pre-Broadway shows, such as Elton John and Tim Rice’s “Aida” in 1999. Today, it is operated by Broadway in Chicago and hosts many popular Broadway shows each year. Popular shows that have performed at the Cadillac include:
» The Color Purple
» The Lion King
» Shrek the Musical
» Wicked
» Aladdin
» Mamma Mia!