The Vic Theatre
Former names | Victoria Theatre |
---|---|
Address | 3145 N. Sheffield Ave. |
Location | Chicago,Illinois |
Owner | Jam Productions |
Capacity | 1,400 |
Construction | |
Opened | 1912 |
Renovated | 1983 By Walter Klein & Big Bob Suszynski |
Website | |
www.victheater.com |
The Vic Theatreis amusic venuelocated inChicago,Illinois.Vic Theatre can easily accommodate 1,400 people or with a seated capacity of 1,000.
History
[edit]Vic Theatre, designed by architectJohn Eberson,opened in 1912 as the Victoria Theatre. It took three years to build the luxurious five-storyVaudevillehouse. The theatre was owned and built by Robert E. Ricksen and Frank Gazzolo. Ricksen and Gazzolo operated the Crown and Imperial theaters as well. Costing $300,000 to construct it was equipped with every luxury. (Source: September 14, 1912 Billboard publication)
In 1983 The Vic was purchased by Walt Klein who spent several million restoring it. Opening with the 20th Anniversary of Second City and recorded for broadcast by HBO The Vic was originally programmed by Lou Valpano and Celebration Flipside. Within a year programming was handled by Dave Frey, who brought in Holiday Star Theater as a partner.
In 1986 Walt and his team brought in Thunderdome Enterprises to handle day to day operations and bring the popular ClubLand nightclub to extend the venue's operating hours. During this period concert booking and promotions were moved to Jam Productions. In 1988 Michael Butler produced the 20th anniversary revival of "Hair" at the Vic. In 1990 ClubLand closed, and Thunderdome Enterprises reconcepted the nightclub into the short-lived Catwalk. In the mid-1990's, Brew & View was established at the Vic, offering movies and drinks on non-concert nights. Later, Walt sold The Vic to Jam Productions.
Some notable performances
[edit]- The Residentsat the Vic on February 7, 1986.
- The Replacementsat the Vic on April 11, 1986.
- Trouble FunkRed Hot Chili PeppersBeastie Boysat the Vic in January 4, 1987.
- In November 1988,Michael Butlerproduced the musicalHairat the Vic Theater to celebrate the shows' 20th anniversary. The production ran until February 1989.[1]
- WilcorecordedKicking Television: Live in Chicagoat the Vic in May 2005.
- WeenrecordedLive In Chicago,a DVD and CD of their three night run at the Vic in 2003.
- Gymboreetaped their home videoParachute ExpressLive in Concert at the Vic in 1989.
- Bill Hicksrecorded an HBO special, One Night Stand, at the Vic in 1991.
- David Bowiebrought hisEarthlingtour to the Vic on September 19, 1997.
- Porcupine Tree'sIn Absentiatour played The Vic on July 25, 2003.
- Jim Gaffigan'sBeyond the PaleCD, DVD and TV special were recorded at the Vic in 2006.
- Soundgardenplayed their first reunion show at the Vic on August 5, 2010.
- Porcupine TreebroughtThe Incidenttour to The Vic on September 22, 2009.
- Hannibal BuressRecorded his second Comedy Central special at the Vic in January 2014.
- Papa RoachrecordedLive & Murderous In Chicago,aDVDof theirlive performanceat the Vic.
- Cage the Elephantrecorded a live album, Cage the Elephant Live at the Vic in Chicago in 2012.
- King Crimsonplayed in a line-up featuring among others guitaristRobert Frippand three previous line-ups' drummers performing simultaneously, for 4 consecutive nights in autumn 2014, one of only nine city stops for this incarnation of the band.
- Todd Rundgrenperformed two nights March 2-3, 1990, with the second show being broadcast live onWXRT.
- Pete Correale's stand-up special "Let Me Tell Ya" for Showtime was recorded at the Vic in May 2015.
- Iliza Shlesinger's stand-upNetflixspecialConfirmed Killswas recorded at the Vic on April 23, 2016.
- Pete Holmes’s stand-up HBO Special “Faces and Sounds” was recorded at the Vic in 2016.
- Midnight Oilplayed here on May 18, 2017, on The Great Circle World Tour, their first tour since 2002.
- Ariana Grandeplayed here on August 22, 2018, for her "Sweetener Sessions" mini tour to celebrate her new album "Sweetener".
- Sabatonplayed here on October 26, 2019, for their Great Tour, opened by fellowSwedishbandHammerFall.
- Jerry CantrellofAlice in Chainsplayed here on March 26, 2022, on hisBrightentour.
- British rock bandthe Darknessplayed here on October 13, 2023, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut album,Permission to Land.
References
[edit]- ^Horn, pp. 118–20
External links
[edit]41°56′22″N87°39′14″W/ 41.9395°N 87.6538°W