Rialto Square Theatre - Joilet, Illinois
by Susan Rissi Tregoning
Title
Rialto Square Theatre - Joilet, Illinois
Artist
Susan Rissi Tregoning
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Often called the "Jewel of Joliet," the historic landmark Rubens Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Illinois, is an architectural masterpiece in the neo-baroque style.
The Rialto first opened its doors in 1926 during the Golden Age of the movie palace. Owned by the six Rubens brothers, they hired prestigious Chicago-based movie palace architects Rapp & Rapp during the most prolific period of their career to design their theatre. With seating for 2000, it was the largest and most elegant vaudeville theatre ever built in Illinois outside of Chicago. The décor is luxurious, with a rotunda modeled after Rome's Pantheon and an inner lobby based on Versailles' Hall of Mirrors. It became the centerpiece for Joliet's downtown and is considered one of the most beautiful theatres in the nation. It is on the American Institute of Architects' list of "150 Great Places in Illinois."
It was a favorite hangout of Al Capone's. Over the years, it has hosted performances by Andy Williams, Mitzi Gaynor, Red Skelton, Victor Borge, Liberace, and hundreds of other famous names. Today musicals, plays, concerts, and standup comedy can be seen at the theatre.
The Rialto was closed in the mid-1970s and saved from demolition. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 and restored to its original grandeur in the 1980s.
Copyright 2022 Susan Rissi Tregoning
Uploaded
May 2nd, 2022
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