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Varsity Theatre

Varsity Theatre

Evanston, Illinois, USA

First Opened: 24th December 1926 (97 years ago)

Atmospheric Style: French Chateau

Architect: John E.O. Pridmore

Status: Repurposed

Address: 1710 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201 Link opens in new window


Overview

Auditorium in 1926
Auditorium in 1926

The Varsity Theatre is the only known example of an atmospheric theatre designed in a French style. More specifically, the theatre was designed to represent the courtyard of a French chateau “of magnificent coloring and rare charm”. The sidewalls represented castle walls, abutting the proscenium with turrets and buttresses hiding organ chambers within. The proscenium arch formed “a massive arched gateway with flying flags and pennons” and suggested the view out over a lowered drawbridge from the castle courtyard of the auditorium, out onto the stage beyond.

The theatre was commissioned by Evanston native Clyde Elliot and designed by local architect John E.O. Pridmore.

At 2,500 seats, the Varsity Theatre was one of the largest suburban Chicago movie palaces ever built, and was also one of the most spectacular. The cerulean blue sky dome featured twinkling stars, floating fleecy clouds, and a delicate crescent moon which sailed slowly overhead during the performance.

The theatre’s 3-manual, 26-rank organ, built by the Genevan Organ Company, was quoted as having an “atmospheric console”, designed to look like a mini French chateau complete with turrets and windows all mounted on a seemingly rugged stone base.

Auditorium in 2015
Auditorium in 2015

Noted scenic company Sosman & Landis were credited with creating the auditorium’s elaborate French interior.

The Varsity closed in 1988. Almost immediately after the theatre closed the main level and lobby were gutted and turned into retail space.

According to the After the Final Curtain website Link opens in new window, in 2010 the City of Evanston received a $50,000 grant from the National Endowments for the Arts to conduct a feasibility study on reopening the theatre as a performing arts center. In July 2011, the study concluded that given that the first floor of the theatre was currently occupied by a retail store, and not available for redevelopment, that the performing arts needs of Evanston are greater than the Varsity Theatre could accommodate alone. They recommended developing a number of performing arts spaces in downtown Evanston, instead of just one central location.

In 2021, the theatre’s main floor retail space was vacated by the previous tenant (a Gap store). A plan was put forward by the owners to convert the building into a 35-unit apartment building with ground floor retail.

In early 2022 it was reported Link opens in new window that conversion work on the housing/retail conversion would be completed by Fall 2023, however some Evanston residents were not happy with the news and sought a return to theatrical use for the building. In May 2022 the City Council voted to move forward with the developer’s plans, and in May 2023 what was left of the theatre’s interior was demolished..

Further Reading

Online

Historic Photos & Documents
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Photos of the Varsity Theatre

Photo credits are noted where data was available at the time of inclusion. Photos displayed here may be subject to copyright; refer to our Copyright Fair Use Statement regarding our use of copyrighted media and contact us Contact Us with any concerns.

Interior

All photos by After the Final Curtain Link opens in new window unless otherwise noted. Please link to their website for more photos and further information.

Varsity Theatre: Balcony, House Left
Balcony, House Left
Varsity Theatre: Proscenium Arch from Balcony
Proscenium Arch from Balcony
Varsity Theatre: Balcony, House Right
Balcony, House Right
Varsity Theatre: House Left Sidewall
House Left Sidewall
Varsity Theatre: House Left Sidewall Detail
House Left Sidewall Detail
Varsity Theatre: Balcony from House Left
Balcony from House Left
Exterior
Varsity Theatre: Exterior, courtesy <i>Google Street View (2019)</i>
Exterior, courtesy Google Street View (2019)


Photographs copyright © 2002-2024 Mike Hume / Historic Theatre Photos unless otherwise noted.

Text copyright © 2017-2024 Mike Hume / Historic Theatre Photos.

For photograph licensing and/or re-use contact me here Contact Us.





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