Chicago’s newly renovated Lookingglass Theatre to reopen Thursday

The Lookingglass Theatre in Streeterville is set to reopen later this week after undergoing renovations to its lobby, bar, and café.

The theater has been closed for the past 18 months while undergoing renovations.

Officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday with company members like "Friends" actor and co-founder David Schwimmer and Gov. JB Pritzker in attendance. 

They also dedicated the renamed "Joan & Paul Theatre" in advance of the reopening show.

Lookingglass Theatre makes a comeback

The backstory:

Schwimmer, who co-founded the Lookingglass Theatre in 1988 after graduating from Northwestern University, said seeing the newly renovated space "fills me with wonder, gratitude, and hope."

Schwimmer said like many local theaters, Lookingglass was hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic, but was able to complete the renovation with the help of a $2 million award from the state via the Rebuild Illinois infrastructure improvement program passed in 2019.

What they're saying:

The "Friends" star added, "Like the pumping station next door, we consider Lookingglass to be a public utility providing an essential service to this community and we take that responsibility seriously. We believe storytelling is as vital to the health of a city as the water flowing through it."

Pritzker also praised the theater's resilience and value to the city.

"What all of you have helped to build here at Lookingglass has grown into something truly extraordinary: a place for art, for creative expression, for community," Pritzker said.

What's next:

The theater’s reopening show, "Circus Quixote" will run starting Thursday through March 30.

The Lookingglass Theatre is located at 821 North Michigan Avenue.

NewsChicagoStreetervilleEntertainment