Mayor Rahm Emanuel has unveiled plans to renovate the Theater on the Lake to turn the summer-only theater into an all-season cultural venue during the ground-breaking of the Fullerton Revetment Project on Oct. 13.
“We are now going to turn what was seasonal, the Theater on the Lake, into part of the entire network of cultural institutions, from the Chicago Theater to the zoo to Peggy Notebaert (Nature Museum),” said the mayor, reports Dnainfo.com. “And, with this rehab of the Theater on the Lake, we will have four great cultural institutions here.”
The renovation work will give the theater 400-seat capability, new lighting and sound systems with green and dressing rooms and additional event space. The project also includes a new vehicular drop-off area and loading access as well as a glass-enclosed main lobby facing the lake and a café with outdoor seating.
Construction will start next year and is expected to be completed in summer 2016, following the Fullerton Revetment project schedule. The Park District is currently reviewing the proposal.
“Back when I was a congressman, I secured funding for Theater on the Lake so that it could put on not just community and amateur shows, but also some of the best productions in the world,” said Emanuel.
“I’m really excited about it. There are lots of theater companies that need homes,” said Ald. Michele Smith (43rd). “Having that in Lincoln Park is a great thing for the neighborhood.”
