Drury Lane Theatre (Chicago)
Encyclopedia
The Drury Lane Theatres were a group of six theatres in the Chicago area founded by Tony DeSantis
. The playhouses were named after the historic Theatre Royal Drury Lane, built in London
in the 17th century. His five suburban locations all provided quality, affordable dinner theatre that was appropriate for families.
DeSantis opened the Martinique Restaurant in Evergreen Park
and began producing plays in 1949 in a tent adjacent to the restauant to attract customers. The enterprise was successful, prompting him to build his first theatre.
As of 2007, the theatres at Oakbrook Terrace and Water Tower Place were still owned by the DeSantis family.
Tony DeSantis
Anthony DeSantis, KStJ was an American entrepreneur and theater owner in Chicago, Illinois and its suburbs. He is most well known for the foundation of the area's Drury Lane theaters...
. The playhouses were named after the historic Theatre Royal Drury Lane, built in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in the 17th century. His five suburban locations all provided quality, affordable dinner theatre that was appropriate for families.
DeSantis opened the Martinique Restaurant in Evergreen Park
Evergreen Park, Illinois
Evergreen Park is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 25,044 at the 2009 census.-Geography:Evergreen Park is located at . The suburb is surrounded by the city of Chicago on three of its sides, while Oak Lawn and Hometown border it on the west...
and began producing plays in 1949 in a tent adjacent to the restauant to attract customers. The enterprise was successful, prompting him to build his first theatre.
- Drury Lane Evergreen Park was DeSantis’ first theatre in the Chicago area. It opened in 1958 and was a local entertainment landmark for 45 years before closing in 2003.
- Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace opened in 1984, and is located at the intersection of Kingery HighwayIllinois Route 83Illinois Route 83 is a major north–south state road in northeast Illinois. It stretches from U.S. Highway 30 by Lynwood and Dyer, Indiana north to the Wisconsin border by Antioch at Highway 83. Incidentally, this alignment is concentric with Interstate 294...
, Butterfield RoadIllinois Route 56Illinois Route 56 is an east–west state road in northern and northeastern Illinois. It runs from the interchange of Illinois Route 47 at U.S. Route 30 in Sugar Grove east to US 12/US 20/US 45 by Bellwood...
, and Illinois Route 38Illinois Route 38Illinois Route 38 is an east–west state road that runs across northern Illinois. It runs from U.S. Route 52 in downtown Dixon to U.S. Highways 12, 20, and 45 in Westchester. This is a distance of . As Roosevelt Road it continues through Forest Park and into Cicero and Chicago before...
(Roosevelt RoadRoosevelt RoadRoosevelt Road is a major east-west thoroughfare in the city of Chicago, Illinois, and its western suburbs. It is 1200 South in the city's street numbering system, but only one mile south of Madison Street...
) in Oakbrook TerraceOakbrook Terrace, IllinoisOakbrook Terrace is a city in DuPage County, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. The population was 2,300 at the 2000 census. A 2003 recount gave the city a population of 2,293. Its current mayor is Tony "Red Panda" Ragucci.-Points of interest:...
. The venue benefited from what DeSantis had learned over the years. The facility uses local performers to keep costs down; the theatre is surrounded by bars, restaurants and banquet rooms; shows are limited to musicals; and there is no charge for parking.
- The original Drury Lane Water Tower PlaceDrury Lane Water Tower PlaceBroadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place is operated by Broadway In Chicago, a Nederlander Presentation. Located at Water Tower Place in Chicago, Illinois, it was formerly known as Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place.-History:...
opened in 1976, but closed in 1983. A new, $7 million version opened on May 18, 2004.
- Drury Lane North began operations in 1976, but was soon sold to the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort and became the Marriott TheatreMarriott TheatreThe Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, Illinois, USA is a respected Chicago area regional theatre. Attached to the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort, the theatre produces an average of five musicals each year, presented in the round, as well as productions aimed at younger audiences...
.
- Drury Lane East (at McCormick Place) also opened in the 1970s, but failed within a year of its opening.
As of 2007, the theatres at Oakbrook Terrace and Water Tower Place were still owned by the DeSantis family.