Music Box Theatre, one of Chicago’s most iconic movie theaters, is getting a makeover later this year for its 95th birthday.
The independent two-screen cinema located at 3733 N. Southport in Wrigleyville opened back in August of 1929 just months before The Great Depression. Since that day the historic movie theater has grown to become a cherished landmark and one of Chicago’s go-to venues for independent, foreign, and classic films.
The many years of entertaining cinephiles have now “taken their toll on the space”, according to the Movie Box Theatre release, and it will consequently undergo around 3 weeks of facility upgrades later this summer which it has named the Music Box: Revive at 95 project.
“As our birthday approaches, we’re embarking on a major revitalization of our main 740-seat auditorium, to keep the Music Box a community institution long into the future, announced Music Box Theatre this week. “Have no fear…we might be getting some work done, but we’ll still be the same Music Box you know and love.”
According to the release, the revitalization project will include brand new auditorium seats with cupholders, improved auditorium lighting, refinished flooring & new carpeting, and refurbishment of the theater’s original proscenium arch.
The theater will also expand its ADA capabilities for its deaf and hard-of-hearing audience including a T-Coil Hearing Loop System which will channel the movie’s audio through compatible hearing aids and hearing assistant devices directly.
The major renovation is scheduled to begin on Monday, August 12th, and last through to September 5th.
With costs expected to surpass $750,000, Music Box Theatre is asking its “beloved audience” for support in the form of monetary donations that can be made at musicboxtheatre.com.
According to the donation page, “donations of $100 or more made between June 3rd and July 31st, 2024 will receive a free Music Box merchandise item (poster, mug, etc)” while patrons can also sponsor a seat for $750 and have a permanently engraved plaque in honor of their contribution.
Read the Music Box: Revive at 95 official release.