Crawford Performs at Restored LaSalle in Chicago, 5/24

Following a multi-million dollar restoration and renovation, the LaSalle Bank Theatre is ready to open in Chicago once again. The 100-year-old venue, which has been restored and newly named the LaSalle Bank Theatre, will now showcase previously hidden treasures including mosaic flooring and original gilded ceilings, all uncovered during the restoration process.

Broadway In Chicago along with LaSalle Bank has announced the line-up of inaugural festivities starting on Tuesday, May 23. At 8:30 p.m. that day, representatives from Broadway In Chicago and LaSalle Bank will celebrate the first event in this weeklong series with a grand marquee lighting. The lights will illuminate for the first time ever at 8:30 p.m. when a special guest will flip the switch. The public is invited to witness the celebration directly outside the theatre.

Tony Award-winning The Phantom of the Opera star Michael Crawford will give the theatre's inauguaral performance at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, May 24th. He "will bring to the stage an unforgettable one-night only concert event. Mr. Crawford's unequivocal vocal prowess will fill the theatre with the most powerful numbers from his Broadway classics," state press notes. To further commemorate the occasion, LaSalle Bank and Broadway In Chicago will make a donation to the League of Chicago Theatres as part of the organizations' ongoing commitment to sustaining Chicago's theatre community.

There will be also be an open house, which will begin Friday, May 26. The public will cut the ribbon and the doors will remain open from noon – 5:00 p.m. on both Friday, May 26 and Saturday, May 27, allowing guests the opportunity to tour the public areas of this beautifully restored theatre. The event is also free.

The theatre's inaugural production will be Golda's Balcony, starring Valerie Harper; it begines Tuesday, May 30th at 8 PM. "From the pogroms of Russia to the halls of the Knesset, the story of Golda Meir is the story of the state of Israel in the 20th century. Starring four-time Emmy Award-winner Valerie Harper, this one-woman tour de force promises to be a thrilling, deeply moving and unforgettable night of theatre," it runs through June 11th.

Opened on New Year's Day in 1906 as the Majestic Theatre, the venue was re-named The Shubert Theatre in 1945, and is now proudly known to Chicago as the LaSalle Bank Theatre at the Majestic Building. The multi-million dollar restoration of Chicago's longest continuous legacy could not have happened without the commitment and support of the City of Chicago and LaSalle Bank. The LaSalle Bank Theatre is located at 18 W. Monroe St., Chicago.

Tickets for the inaugural dedication and concert featuring Michael Crawford, as well as the inaugural production of Golda's Balcony starring Valerie Harper, are currently on-sale at all Broadway In Chicago box offices (24 W. Randolph and 151 W. Randolph), by calling (312) 902-1400 or online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

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