The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-12-25

THE NEW JACKSON STREET THEATER.
evenings, thus giving the Germans Of
the west an opportunity to enjoy the
best theatrical novelties in their mother
tongue.
The company which is erecting the
Schiller is composed of the leading
German citizens Of Chicago Their OBJ
ject, was, in the first instance, to secure
place where German plays could be
staged adequately; but the lively COM
petition for the lease of the theater and
the hotel to be run IN connection with
it proved to them that, aside from doing
something for German art in America,
they had stumbled upon an excellent
investment.
The other new theater, to which ]
have referred, will be located on Jack.
son street, between Wabash avenue and
Michigan boulevard, and will occupy
the site of the old First regiment armory.
Some time ago it was proposed to erect
Shakespeare memorial theater on this
ground, but the promoters of the enter
prise failed to secure the capital neces
sary to carry out their plans. The
owner of the real estate would not lease
it for less than $4,000 for the first 81
years of 09-year period and Sl6.00o
per year for the remainder of the time.
This was more than the Shakespeare
enthusiasts could afford to pay, and a
modern theater with skyscraping at
tachments was next talked of. A COM
pany was organized and a ground lease
signed on the terms mentioned. The
projectors at once engaged an architect
to produce something novel in the the
atrical line-and he has done it,
In style and management the theateI
will differ from anything now in the
country. The foyer will be circular.
The body of the house will be lowered
after the English fashion, and will be
fitted up with stalls" Above these
and extending entirely around the three
| sides of the house not occupied by the
stage will be row of boxes. Only men
in low-cut vests, says an edict of the
projectors of the theater, and spike.
| tailed coats, and women in evening
cred, part of the house. Above these
| highly aristocratic seats will be one
| balcony where ordinary mortals will be
allowed to enter. No gallery will be
provided. The auditorium will have a
seating capacity of 1900.
On the roof garden of rare splendor
| and magni6cence will afford the pa.
irons of the theater a chance to breathe
some of the justly famous Lake Michi.
| gan ozone. The garden. when com.
pleted, will be veritaHe crystal pal.
ace, as it will be incloSed on all sides
with heavy plate glass. In the center
of the big room will be an electric
fountain and a high-toned bar where
the gilded youth will have to pay %
cents for a l0-cent drink. Grouped
| around the fountain will be collection
of admirable plants Around the en-.
tire building and opening from the gar
| deu will be broad promenade balcony,
! and outside of this will be series OF
piazza-like spaces. fitted with chairs and
refreshment tables. The height of the
building, twelve stories, will afford Wis.
| itors an unobstructed view of city and
lake.
The gentlemen interested in the new
| thcater do not believe in the star system
of theatricals, and propose to organize
stock company composed Of the fore
most American and English artists.
! They are of the opinion that Chicago
! and the country tributary to its COM
mercial and social interests can afford
to maintain a frst-class company OF
| actors.
The cost of the new BUILDING, exclu-
sive of interior decorations, will be
! $60O,O 1t will be built of steel. faced
with terra Gotta and brick, and will be
thoroughly tireproof The parts of the
building not occupied by the theateI
: will be divided into stores and offices
The ''swaliow-tail" theater may per
haps not prove as profitable as its pro
jectors anticipate, but if they succeed
in introducing the stock company idea
in western managerial circles the alb
surdity of some of their rules and regu-
lations may in the course of time be
/ forgiven There may be enough dudes
in the west to Gil the house every
night, but no one should be rash
enough to risk any money on such a re-
suit, u W WEIPPIERH