Chopin Theatre

1543 W. Division Street,
Chicago, IL 60622

Unfavorite 1 person favorited this theater

Related Websites

Chopin Theatre (Official)

Additional Info

Firms: M.F. Strunch Architects

Functions: Live Performances, Live Theater

Previous Names: Pix Theatre, At the Gallery Theatre

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 773.278.1500

Nearby Theaters

Chopin Theatre

The 1918 Chopin Theatre, which could originally seat nearly 1,000, served the Wicker Park neighborhood as a movie house until the 1950’s, when it was converted into a bank.

In the late-1970’s, it a was turned into a disco, but after a shooting occurred on its opening night, it was closed.

It sat vacant and was scheduled for demolition in 1990, but at the last minute, the Chopin Theatre was rescued and transformed into a showplace for plays, poetry readings, film screenings and concerts. It also houses a theater workshop in its basement.

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

Recent comments (view all 13 comments)

GFeret
GFeret on August 8, 2014 at 1:08 pm

(the following repeated from photo comments)

this wknd fri-sat-sun the CHOPIN theatre is advertising as having some ‘Moving Sale’ open to the public:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/gms/4608555303.html

(you may have to copy & repaste this link into the addressline of your browser to use it)

august 8,9,10

Broan
Broan on August 31, 2014 at 11:00 am

http://calumet412.com/post/96274729551/looking-north-west-on-division-at-ashland-1939

GFeret
GFeret on September 2, 2014 at 1:49 pm

that old northwest looking photo linked above i find a little interesting in that the triangle in the middle of the 3-way intersection appears essentially barren. admittedly it’s a dark night-time image. i know the milwaukee-dearborn subway began construction 1939 (or sooner) but was soon put on hold in favor of concentrating what wartime resouces there were on the state st subway construction (and the dearborn subway opening delayed to 1951). trying to peer down milwaukee avenue is a bit problematic in this photo since there’s so much lighting haze but i suspect what’s down there’s the marquee of another theatre The Paulina

Broan
Broan on September 2, 2014 at 4:23 pm

I think that’s probably a sign for Wieboldt’s in the distance.

GFeret
GFeret on September 3, 2014 at 7:21 am

there’s more than one illuminated sign in the distance down milwaukee, and the further one could be for Paulina theatre. I remember weiboldts and its sign, my buddy dave worked there late ‘60s in their grocery dept.

RickB
RickB on October 24, 2018 at 9:02 am

Block Club Chicago story on the Chopin and its owners here.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on December 6, 2020 at 4:32 am

Block Club Chicago piece with fundraiser for Chopin Theatre.

https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/12/01/102-year-old-chopin-theatre-asks-public-for-help-surviving-pandemic/?fbclid=IwAR3tQ4Kwir0EwOUuOMePYDUnfG–UuT0MZnYe9_xImq3AOohC586ynKvaBQ

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on March 16, 2021 at 5:11 pm

Fundraiser helped save the Chopin.

https://blockclubchicago.org/2021/03/16/chopin-theatre-raises-72000-from-grateful-fans-hopes-to-reopen-this-summer-it-was-really-overwhelming/?fbclid=IwAR1GhFdAOkjDvctCa2S06hJCQXrGS4aSLyV9IBkDrJIPcTaxgQU4h7571Pk

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on November 2, 2022 at 6:02 pm

WLS-TV reports on the premiere of CHEAT YOU FAIR, April 6, 2007 at the Chopin Theatre.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShF-nG_CjAw

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on November 30, 2022 at 5:37 pm

Facebook page for the Chopin Theatre.

https://www.facebook.com/ChopinTheatre

You must login before making a comment.

New Comment

Subscribe Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.