Madison Theatre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Madison Theatre
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 502 Main St., Peoria, Illinois |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1920 |
| Architect | Frederic J. Klein |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 80001402 |
| Added to NRHP | November 21, 1980 |
The Madison Theatre is a historic building in Peoria, Illinois, United States. It first opened its doors on October 16, 1920. Back then, it was a popular place to watch silent movies and live shows called vaudeville.
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A Look Back: Madison Theatre's Story
The Madison Theatre was built for Dee Robinson. A Peoria architect named Frederick J. Klein designed it. The outside of the theatre looks like an Italian Renaissance building. Inside, the walls and lobby ceilings have beautiful classical designs. The lobby also features special terra-cotta plasterwork. This frames a large, triple-arched window above the main entrance. The theatre is located right across from the Pere Marquette Hotel.
Early Days and Entertainment
When it first opened in 1920, the theatre had 1,600 seats. It was a place for both silent films and live vaudeville acts. Vaudeville was a popular type of entertainment. It included many different short performances. These could be comedy, music, dance, or magic.
A Special Landmark
The Madison Theatre is important because of its history and design. On November 21, 1980, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history.
Changes Over the Years
The Madison Theatre closed down in the 1980s. But it didn't stay closed for long. It later reopened as a comedy club. Then, in 1992, it became a dinner theatre. This meant people could eat a meal while watching a show.
From 1996 to 2002, the theatre was managed by Jay Goldberg Events & Entertainment. During this time, it hosted over 200 concerts. Many famous artists performed there. These included Ray Charles, The Smashing Pumpkins, REO Speedwagon, and Fiona Apple. The theatre closed again in 2003.
A Challenging Time
On June 4, 2016, firefighters were called to the theatre. A big fire had started near the stage area. Officials said the fire was set on purpose. The damage was estimated to be about $500,000.
After the fire, the City of Peoria checked the building. They wanted to make sure it was safe. Most of the needed repairs were completed. Because of this, the city decided not to tear down the building.
Hope for the Future
Good news came on January 27, 2022. A new group called 'The Madison Preservation Association' took ownership of the theatre. The previous owner gave the theatre to this non-profit group.
The association plans to renovate the Madison Theatre. This big project is expected to cost about $30-$35 million. They hope to open the theatre again in mid-to-late 2024. The first step is to fix the shops along Main Street in 2022. After that, they will fully restore the theatre building. They want to bring it back to its original grand look by 2024.
