Lukaba Productions Takes Over Theatre Building Chicago

Lukaba Productions announces that it will be the primary tenant of the building at 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Lukaba has committed to a long-term lease with 1225 West Belmont Avenue LLC, who this week signed a contract to purchase the building from Theatre Building Chicago.

Under the contract announced this week, Theatre Building Chicago will sell its property in Lakeview, containing three 148-seat theaters, to 1225 West Belmont Avenue LLC, according to Charles H. Jesser, manager of record for the entity. Jesser also stated that the purchaser intends to make substantial upgrades to the building. The transaction is expected to close in May.

Lukaba executive producer Brian Posen stated, "We are excited about the opportunity to have our own space where we can collaborate with other artists and offer audiences accessible, affordable and exceptional entertainment."

Lukaba Productions, under Posen's leadership, has a long history of theatrical production in Chicago. Lukaba's flagship product is the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, the world's largest such festival that has taken place at TBC each January since 2002. In addition, Lukaba is the parent company of the Cupid Players, the musical sketch comedy troupe that lays claim to the title of longest-running sketch revue in iO Theater's history. Posen has also produced a number of theatrical productions. Those presented at TBC include the Chicago premiere of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap, Noises Off! and How the Other Half Loves.

"We have spent the last several years searching for a permanent home that can serve as a base for our own productions, as well as helping us fulfill our mission of serving and nurturing Chicago's theatrical artists. We will continue TBC's tradition of offering Chicago's off-Loop companies affordable performance space so that the building will continue to serve as an incubator for Chicago theatre," said Lukaba board chair Laura Michaud.

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