Rat-A-Tat-Tat! Biograph Theater Being Remodeled

In 1934, John Dillinger was shot and killed by FBI agents in the alley outside Chicago's historic Biograph Theater. The Biograph will reopen in September and for the first time offer live theatrical performances. The theater was built in 1914 and is one of only two examples of early movie theater design still standing in Chicago. It's on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Chicago City Landmark.

The interior of the building has been re-designed by Chicago architect Daniel P. Coffey to include a 299-seat mainstage, a balcony, rehearsal space, and a special events room. The $11.3 million space will be home to Chicago's Victory Gardens Theater Company. The Alter Group of Chicago is the project manager, Pepper Construction is the general contractor, Schuler and Shook are consulting on theater construction, and Brian Cline/Artec is the acoustical consultant. All are based in Chicago. Work on the theater is expected to be completed before the September opening of Victory Gardens 2006–'07 season.