Nederlander Theatre
Nederlander Theatre is a historic Chicago performance venue that presents touring Broadway productions, pre-Broadway engagements, concerts, and other live entertainment.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Nederlander Theatre, formally the James M. Nederlander Theatre, is a historic live-performance venue at 24 West Randolph Street in Chicago's Loop. The building opened in 1926 as the Oriental Theatre, one of Chicago's ornate movie palaces, and was designed by George L. and Cornelius W. Rapp, the architects associated with several major Chicago theatres. Its decorative program drew on Indian architectural imagery and was created for a large, multi-purpose entertainment house operated by the Balaban and Katz theatre chain, then a Paramount Pictures subsidiary. The current venue occupies part of the New Masonic Building, an office-and-theatre complex whose office component has since been converted for other uses. Both the building and theatre were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The site also carries an earlier and darker theatrical history: the Iroquois Theatre stood there before the Oriental was built. The Iroquois fire of 1903 killed at least 600 people and prompted substantial changes to Chicago theatre regulation, including stricter requirements for exits, aisles, occupancy, and fire-resistant scenery. The earlier structure later operated under other names, including Hyde & Behman's Music Hall and the Colonial Theatre, before being demolished for the Oriental. During its early decades, the Oriental combined motion pictures with vaudeville and live appearances. By the 1930s it was primarily a cinema, although concerts and stage events remained part of its identity. Performers associated with the venue over the years included Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Cab Calloway, Judy Garland's early act, and many other entertainers. As Chicago's traditional Randolph Street entertainment district weakened in the 1970s, the theatre increasingly relied on exploitation films and other programming. It briefly attempted to concentrate on live entertainment in late 1971, reversed that decision within weeks, and finally ceased operating as a movie house in 1981. Its lobby was later used for retail purposes while the auditorium remained unused for more than a decade. A major restoration followed a period of vacancy. Livent announced its acquisition and renovation plans in January 1996, with financial support from the City of Chicago and a sponsorship arrangement with Ford Motor Company. Architect Daniel P. Coffey's plan expanded backstage facilities by incorporating portions of the neighboring Oliver Building while retaining significant historic fabric. The restored house reopened on October 18, 1998, as the Oriental-Ford Center for the Arts, with a revised capacity of approximately 2,253 seats. Its programming then shifted decisively toward large-scale touring Broadway productions, premieres, concerts, and pre-Broadway engagements. The venue became especially prominent through the Chicago engagement of Wicked, which ran from 2005 to 2009 and became the city's best-known long-running stage production. It subsequently hosted or premiered productions including The Addams Family, Billy Elliot, On Your Feet!, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Cher Show, Paradise Square, and the North American touring production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. In 2019, the theatre was renamed for James M. Nederlander, the theatre owner, producer, and Broadway In Chicago founder who died in 2016. Broadway In Chicago operates the venue, which remains part of the revitalized Loop theatre district alongside the Chicago Theatre, Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, and Goodman Theatre.
History
The site of the Nederlander Theatre has been associated with Chicago theatre since the opening of the Iroquois Theatre in 1903. The Iroquois fire, which killed at least 600 people, led Chicago officials to inspect theatres throughout the city and adopt stronger rules governing exits, aisles, occupancy, and fire safety. The structure later reopened as Hyde & Behman's Music Hall and then operated as the Colonial Theatre before being demolished in 1925. The Oriental Theatre opened in 1926 within the New Masonic Building. Designed by Rapp and Rapp, it was an elaborately decorated movie palace and vaudeville venue operated by Balaban and Katz. Its auditorium originally accommodated roughly 3,250 people. During the 1930s the venue became mainly a cinema, while continuing to host live appearances and concerts. Duke Ellington and his orchestra appeared frequently, and the theatre hosted a wide range of entertainers. A 1934 appearance by the young Frances Gumm and her sisters became an early episode in the career of the performer later known as Judy Garland; the act adopted the Garland name after an introduction by George Jessel. The theatre remained a visible part of Chicago's entertainment economy into the 1960s. Declining downtown theatre patronage in the 1970s changed its programming, and the house survived partly through exploitation films. It briefly shifted toward live entertainment in late 1971 but soon returned to movies. The movie operation ended in 1981. The lobby was converted for retail use, while the auditorium sat vacant for more than ten years. Livent acquired the property in 1996 and undertook a major restoration supported by a $13.5 million commitment from the City of Chicago and a Ford sponsorship. Daniel P. Coffey's design expanded the backstage area through work involving the adjacent Oliver Building, while preserving important portions of the complex. The restored theatre reopened on October 18, 1998, with approximately 2,253 seats and a renewed role as a live theatre. Livent filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November of that year, and its assets were subsequently acquired by SFX Entertainment. Live Nation, SFX's corporate successor, sold the venue to the Nederlander Organization in 2007. The restored house became a key component of the modern Loop theatre district. Its notable engagements included the Chicago premiere of Ragtime, a lengthy run of Wicked from 2005 through January 2009, and pre-Broadway or touring engagements of The Addams Family, Billy Elliot, On Your Feet!, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Cher Show, and Paradise Square. Broadway In Chicago operates the venue. In 2018 it announced the theatre's renaming for James M. Nederlander, and the new name and signage were introduced in February 2019. The venue continues to present touring Broadway productions and other major live events.
- 2019
Renamed James M. Nederlander Theatre
[1]The venue adopted its current name in honor of James M. Nederlander.
- 2005
Wicked begins Chicago engagement
[1]Wicked began a long-running Chicago engagement that continued through January 2009.
- 1998
Restoration completed
[1]The restored live-performance venue reopened on October 18 with a reconfigured capacity of 2,253 seats.
- 1981
Movie-house operation ends
[1]The theatre closed as a movie house and subsequently remained largely unused for more than a decade.
- 1978
Historic designation granted
[1]The theatre and the New Masonic Building were listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 1926
Oriental Theatre opens
[1]The Rapp and Rapp-designed movie palace opened as a combined cinema and vaudeville venue.
- 1925
Colonial Theatre demolished
[1]The Colonial Theatre was demolished to make way for the new Oriental Theatre.
- 1903
Iroquois Theatre opens on the site
[1]An earlier theatre opened on November 23, 1903, before being destroyed by the Iroquois Theatre fire later that year.
Products and positioning
A landmark Chicago theatre positioned as a major Broadway touring and pre-Broadway venue, combining historic movie-palace architecture with contemporary large-scale live entertainment.
Live theatre · 1998
Touring Broadway productions
The theatre's principal offering is a calendar of large-scale touring Broadway musicals and plays. Its 2,253-seat configuration supports commercial productions traveling between major American markets, with Broadway In Chicago serving as the presenting and operating organization.
Theatrical development · 1998
Pre-Broadway engagements
The venue has hosted productions testing material, staging, and audience response before New York runs. Examples include The Addams Family, On Your Feet!, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Cher Show, and Paradise Square.
Performance venue · 1926
Historic theatre venue
Beyond individual shows, the Nederlander Theatre functions as a historic Chicago destination. Its 1926 Rapp and Rapp architecture, restored ornamental interiors, and location in the Loop theatre district form an important part of its public identity.
Brand decisions
2019
Adoption of the James M. Nederlander nameStrategyBackground
Broadway In Chicago and the Nederlander organization sought to honor James M. Nederlander, who had helped build Broadway In Chicago and advocated for downtown Chicago theatre.
Action taken
The Oriental Theatre was renamed the James M. Nederlander Theatre, with a renovated marquee, blade sign, and exterior signage unveiled in February.
Aftermath
The renamed venue continued operating as a major Broadway touring house under Broadway In Chicago.
1996
Conversion from dormant cinema to restored live theatreStrategyBackground
After the movie house closed in 1981 and the auditorium remained vacant for years, Livent pursued a restoration intended to return the property to major live entertainment use.
Action taken
The project expanded backstage facilities, preserved significant historic elements, and repositioned the venue for touring theatre and premiere engagements.
Aftermath
The restored venue reopened in 1998 and became an anchor of Chicago's revitalized Loop theatre district.
Sources2 sources
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