Drury Lane Theatre (Illinois) facts for kids
The Drury Lane Theatres were a group of five special playhouses near Chicago. They were started by a man named Tony DeSantis. These theatres were named after a very old and famous theatre in London, England, called the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which was built way back in the 1600s!
All five Drury Lane locations offered fun and affordable dinner theatre. This meant you could enjoy a tasty meal and watch a play at the same time, making it a great outing for families. Over time, two of these theatres closed down. Two others were sold and now have different names. As of 2007, only one still operated as a Drury Lane Theatre.
Tony DeSantis started his journey into theatre in 1949. He owned a restaurant called the Martinique Restaurant in Evergreen Park. To attract more customers, he began putting on plays in a large tent right next to his restaurant. This idea was a big hit! Because it was so successful, he decided to build his very first proper theatre.
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Discovering the Drury Lane Theatres
Tony DeSantis opened five different Drury Lane Theatre locations. Each one had its own story and history.
Drury Lane Evergreen Park: The First Theatre
- Drury Lane Evergreen Park was the very first theatre Tony DeSantis built in the Chicago area.
- It opened its doors in 1958.
- For 45 years, it was a well-known place for entertainment in the community.
- Sadly, this original theatre closed in 2003.
Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace: Still Going Strong
- Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace opened later, in 1984.
- You can find it in Oakbrook Terrace, at a busy intersection of major roads like Kingery Highway, Butterfield Road, and Illinois Route 38 (Roosevelt Road).
- This theatre is still active today! It continues to put on a season of five different shows every year.
Drury Lane Water Tower Place: A New Beginning
- The first Drury Lane Water Tower Place opened in 1976.
- However, it closed just a few years later, in 1983.
- A brand new version of this theatre, costing $7 million, opened on May 18, 2004.
- In 2010, a company called Broadway In Chicago took over this theatre. They renamed it the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place.
Drury Lane North: Becoming the Marriott Theatre
- Drury Lane North started its operations in 1976.
- It was soon sold to the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort.
- After the sale, it became known as the Marriott Theatre, which is still a popular theatre today.
Drury Lane East: A Short Run
- Drury Lane East was located at McCormick Place and also opened in the 1970s.
- Unfortunately, this theatre did not last long and closed within a year of opening.
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