Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-12-19

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 a 99-year period and $4,000
per year for the remainder Of the time.
| This was more than the Shakespeare
enthusiasts could afford to pay, and a
modern theater with sky-scraping at
| tachments was next talked of. A COM
pany was organized ami 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 theater
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
gowns will be admitted to this. the sa.
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 q
seating capacity of 1900.
On the roof garden of rare splendor
and magnificence 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 oil sdea
with heavy plate glass. n the center
of the big room will be an ELECTRIC
fountain and high-toned bar where
the gilded youth will have to pay Is
cents for a lO-cent drink. Grouped
around the fountain will be a collection
Of admirable plants. Around the en-.
tire building and opening from the gar
den will be a broad promenade balcony.
and outside of this will be series OF
piaZza-lilSe 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
,, theater do not believe in the star system
of theatricals, and propose to organize
a stock company composed o! the fore
Lloot hhiChiSdo ohu LuBti
They are Of the opinion that Chicago
and the country tributary to its com.
mercial and social interests can afford
!, to maintain frst-class company OF
actors.
, The cost Of the new building, exclu.
/ sive Of interior decorations, will be
|, 100000. 1t will be built of steel, faced
! with terra Gotta and brick. and will be
! thoroughly fireproof. The parts Of the
a building not occupied by the theatel
/. will be divided into stores and offices.
. The "swallow-tail" theater may per
I haps not prove as profitable as its pro
q jectors anticipate. but if they succeed
4 in introducing the stock company idea
3 In western managerial circles the ab
surdity of some OF their rules and regu
1 lations may in the course of time be
!. forgiven. There may be enough dudes
!. in the west to fll the house every
, night, but no one should be rasl
: enough to risk any money on such u re
2 suit. -. q w. WE'rP'IHr.
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