CHIC

==History of the Apollo Theater Chicago== The Apollo Theater Chicago, distinct from the renowned Apollo Theatre in New York City, has carved out its own unique place in the history of American theater. Located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, the Apollo Theater was built in 1978 by theater producers Jason Brett and Stuart Oken. Designed by Chicago architect Michael Lustig, the theater is notable for its modern glass and concrete architecture. Its intimate setting features a three-quarter thrust stage with 440 plush seats arranged in just eleven rows, creating an unparalleled close-up theatrical experience for its audience. The theater opened with Albert Innaurato’s "Gemini," directed by the production's original Broadway director, Peter Schifter. It quickly established a reputation for quality productions with David Mamet's "Sexual Perversity in Chicago," which became a hit starring Jim Belushi in his dramatic stage debut and directed by Sheldon Patinkin, a former Second City Artistic Director. Throughout the 1980s, the Apollo Theater Chicago became known for its long-running hits, including "Harry Chapin: Lies and Legends," "Steel Magnolias," and "Pump Boys and Dinettes," with the latter setting a Chicago record for the longest-running musical at the time. The theater also hosted numerous acclaimed productions by the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, featuring prominent actors such as John Malkovich and Gary Sinise. In 1991, Michael Leavitt and Fox Theatricals took over the theater's operations, introducing a variety of successful shows, including "Lend Me a Tenor" with John Astin and Jamie Farr, Edward Albee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning "Three Tall Women," and the musical comedy "Forbidden Hollywood." Producer Rob Kolson assumed control in 1996, maintaining the theater's streak of acclaimed productions. The Apollo Theater Chicago saw the success of musicals like "Always...Patsy Cline" and "Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story," as well as Robert Dubac's "The Male Intellect: an oxymoron." The theater made headlines with the Midwest premiere of "The Vagina Monologues" in 2000, featuring author Eve Ensler and a rotating cast of stars. The show enjoyed a nearly three-year run, becoming the fastest-selling show in Apollo's history. "Menopause the Musical" also had a successful run starting in 2003. In 2005, the Apollo Theater expanded by adding a second stage, the 50-seat Apollo Theater Studio, which quickly became a popular venue for comedy, sketch, and improv performances. The Emerald City Theatre, dedicated to family-oriented productions, also calls the Apollo home, drawing tens of thousands annually. The Apollo Theater Chicago's main stage was the site of the hit musical "Million Dollar Quartet," which ran from October 31, 2008, until January 17, 2016, after over 2,500 performances, marking one of the longest runs in the theater's history. Today, the Apollo Theater Chicago continues to be a vibrant part of the city's cultural landscape, offering a diverse array of productions and serving as a hub for theatrical innovation and excellence.