Theatre News Wire

Stage773 Artistic Director Brian Posen unveiled plans for a massive renovation to the 33-year old and newly renamed Stage773 building, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., at Stage773's Sunday, October 10 "10-10-10" benefit celebrating the May acquisition of the building and the upcoming 10th year of the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival (January 6-16). The $1 million renovation, helmed by Architect John Morris of Morris Architect Planners, transforms the exterior and interior of the building into a virtually new space that will be more accommodating for performers and audiences. The project will break ground July 2011 and promises to produce a state-of-the-art home for the numerous itinerant companies in Chicago as well as all of Stage773's productions.

Posen spoke to a crowd of more than 200 Stage773 supporters at the celebration, saying, "The renovation brings new life to a space that has such an important place in the history of Chicago theater. We know that our audiences are going to be wowed by this new airy and modern theater. " Posen continued, "The conversion of the West Theater into two new spaces will provide additional opportunities for itinerant companies, a boost in overall space usage and new funding sources for the building. We will continue to offer traditional theater and dance performances in the North and South Theaters, while hosting additional events, like improv, cabaret, stage readings and sketch comedy, in the two new spaces."

The renovation plans, currently on display in the theater lobby, include:

- Redesigning the Belmont Avenue façade

- Increasing the amount of lobby light and opening the lobby to street side viewing with the addition of floor to ceiling windows along Belmont Avenue

- Modernizing and doubling the number of lavatories

- Completely overhauling the South Theater, including relocating the stage and seating to allow for easier load-in, better sound proofing and convenient audience access.

- Transforming the West Theater into two new flexible spaces: a cabaret and a blackbox.

Stage773 Board Chair Laura Michaud expects the renovations to have a marked positive impact. "This will provide Chicago's theater community with two new, state-of-the-art venues. The increase in performances and audiences that this renovation brings will also benefit businesses in our Lakeview neighborhood," she said. Executive Director Megan Flanagan added, "For 33 years, this building has played a vital part in the history of Chicago Theater. Once the renovations are complete, Stage773 begins a new chapter in this history as a brand new building, inside and out. We will provide not only performance spaces but also a home that both audiences and artists will visit again and again for high-quality entertainment of all kinds."