DePaul University's Financial Crisis Threatens Historic Merle Reskin Theatre in Chicago
The historic Merle Reskin Theatre, located at 60 E. Balbo Drive, faces an uncertain future due to DePaul University's financial difficulties, with its closure anticipated after May, even though the university claims no final decision has been reached. Originally constructed in 1910 as the Blackstone Theatre by architect Benjamin H. Marshall, this 1,400-seat Beaux-Arts venue will present its last show, "Mirror of Most Value: A Ms. Marvel Play," in mid-May. Following the budget crisis, exacerbated by a decline in international student enrollment, DePaul's Chicago Playworks will move to the Theatre School in Lincoln Park. The DePaul Art Museum also shut down in June. Fortunately, the theater, which underwent renovations in 1992 thanks to a $2 million gift from Harold and Merle Reskin, is safeguarded against demolition.
Key facts
- Merle Reskin Theatre at 60 E. Balbo Drive faces closure after May due to DePaul University's budget crisis
- The theater was originally built in 1910 as the Blackstone Theatre by architect Benjamin H. Marshall
- DePaul purchased the venue in 1988 and renamed it in 1992 after a $2 million donation from Harold and Merle Reskin
- The university's financial troubles were worsened by Trump administration immigration policies reducing international student enrollment
- The 1,400-seat Beaux-Arts theater is protected from demolition as part of the Historic Michigan Boulevard District
- Final production "Mirror of Most Value: A Ms. Marvel Play" runs for two weeks in mid-May before Chicago Playworks relocates to Lincoln Park
- DePaul is simultaneously constructing a $42 million basketball and athletics center on its Lincoln Park campus this year
- Jane Lepauw of the Benjamin Marshall Society and Rich Gamble of Chicago Loop Alliance have commented on the theater's uncertain future
Entities
Artists
- John Barrymore
- Ethel Barrymore
- Spencer Tracy
- Helen Hayes
- Merle Reskin
- Benjamin H. Marshall
- Jane Lepauw
- Rich Gamble
- Harold Reskin
- Andre Wright
Institutions
- DePaul University
- Merle Reskin Theatre
- Blackstone Theatre
- DePaul Art Museum
- Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences
- Theatre School
- Benjamin Marshall Society
- Chicago Loop Alliance
- Blackstone Hotel
- South Shore Cultural Center
- Drake Hotel
- Chicago Sun-Times
- WBEZ
Locations
- Chicago
- Illinois
- United States
- 60 E. Balbo Drive
- Lincoln Park
- 935 W. Fullerton Ave
- 7059 S. South Shore Drive
- 140 E. Walton St
- Historic Michigan Boulevard District