Southport’s Music Box Theatre to Undergo Major Renovation

Chicago’s cherished Music Box Theatre will close for a month this summer to undergo a significant renovation aimed at enhancing the patron experience while preserving its historic charm, as reported by Fox 32 Chicago.

This architectural gem and neighborhood staple since 1929 will address the wear and tear accumulated over its 95-year history. “We’re going to give our lovely, old, 95-year-old space a makeover,” said Ryan Oestreich, General Manager of the Music Box Theatre. “It needs modernization, but we won’t lose anything. The aesthetics will remain true to how it looked back in 1929.”

Starting August 12, the theater will close for a month to replace all 740 seats with new ones featuring cupholders, install new carpeting and lighting, and fully restore the proscenium.

“The city has lost many of its historic movie palaces, so the idea of watching a movie with 700 people, all laughing and being scared together, is a great experience. It’s crucial to keep that experience alive,” Oestreich emphasized.

During the closure, the small side theater and the Music Box Garden, an outdoor theater showing movies nightly during the summer, will remain open.

The renovation, estimated to cost around $750,000, will be partially funded by sponsoring the new seats and selling the old ones being replaced. “We’re going to have seat plaques. For the life of that seat, you can have your name, your family‘s name, or a great movie quote. You can buy one of our old seats and own a piece of Chicago history. Or you can donate at any level,” Oestreich explained.

Despite the challenges faced by many theaters during the pandemic, the Music Box is seeing increased ticket sales. Oestreich believes the renovation will ensure the Music Box remains a neighborhood landmark for generations to come.

“As long as people keep making movies, I believe the Music Box will be here for another hundred years. There’s always an interest in coming together to watch a movie or hear a story with others,” Oestreich said confidently.