GOLD COAST — The Newberry Library's newest exhibit looks at the origins of Chicago's theater scene.
"Stagestruck City" opens Friday at The Newberry, 60 W. Walton St. Boasting a collection of artifacts from Chicago's theaters, the free exhibit lays out the evolution of the city's show business from gaudy vaudeville theaters to the local "little theater" movement that gave birth to institutions such as the Goodman, 170 N. Dearborn St.
“In a city of 1.5 million inhabitants, there was demand for more and demand for better,” Martha Briggs, Newberry's exhibitions curator, said in a statement. “The time was ripe for experiments on the stage.”
The exhibit coincides with the 90th anniversary of the Goodman, but also includes memorabilia from the Chicago Opera House and Lyric Theatre. "Stagestruck City" will run through Dec. 31. Check out the Newberry's website for more information.
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