Chicago’s Tony Award®-winning Lookingglass Theatre Company held a ribbon cutting ceremony Monday, Jan. 27 at the Water Tower Water Works, 163 E Pearson St. at Michigan Ave. with Governor JB Pritzker and Lookkingglass leadership including Founding Ensemble Member, Board Member, Actor and Director David Schwimmer. Other guests in attendance included First Lady MK Pritzker and Deputy Mayor Kenya Merritt. The event celebrated the return of this ensemble-based Company founded in 1988–reopening on Jan. 30 with a redesigned lobby, bar and café made possible by support from the State of Illinois, and a new show, Circus Quixote (January 30 - March 30), in The Joan and Paul mainstage theatre named in honor of Lookingglass’ longtime supporters Joan and Paul Rubschlager.
“Chicago’s downtown is a thriving example of community, global business, tourism and the arts—and with the reopening of Lookingglass Theatre, the Mag Mile has yet another shining gem to attract visitors and Chicagoans to come downtown and see some world-class theater,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Art is especially necessary in challenging times and I know Lookingglass will be an important part of that unifying work in this new and improved space.”
“Lookingglass’s home on Michigan Avenue is primed and ready to become a dynamic creative hub, community anchor and ‘third place’ for Chicagoans and visitors alike,” said Artistic Director Kasey Foster. “This historic landmark building survived a great fire and now, we too emerge from the ashes to redefine the limits of theatrical experience–leaving audiences changed, charged and empowered.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker at the ribbon cutting held by Lookingglass Theatre Company, Monday, Jan. 27 at Water Tower Water Works, 163 E Pearson St. at Michigan Ave. Photo by In the Black Photography
In June 2023, owing to the challenges faced by many arts organizations in the wake of the pandemic, Lookingglass paused operations to reorganize and create a new business model. The Company announced ensemble member and multi-hyphenate artist Kasey Foster as artistic director in 2024 and also welcomed four new members into its ensemble: Atra Asdou, Wendy Mateo, Ericka Ratcliff and Matthew C. Yee. Later that year, Jamey Lundblad (formerly with the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs department) joined Lookingglass as managing director, Chicago attorney Richard Chapman was named chair of the Board of Directors and two new members were added to the Board: actor and director David Schwimmer and Chicago attorney James (Jimmy) Oh.
ABOUT THE NEW LOBBY, BAR AND CAFÉ
In 2019, Lookingglass received a $2 million capital funding grant from the State of Illinois to re-envision and renovate the outer lobby space in the Water Tower Water Works building. (Funds were distributed in 2023 by the Illinois Arts Council Agency.) Additionally, the Company received $450,000 from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, as part of its Tourism Attraction Grant Program, to enhance Lookingglass’ presence on the Mag Mile. Phase 2 construction funding to date includes $250,000 from the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation.
Artist rendering of new lobby
The new lobby includes a bar and café, with alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, fare from local vendors and a variety of Lookingglass merchandise designed by ensemble member Matthew C. Yee and artistic associate Sully Ratke and crafted by Ratke. Current local food and beverage vendors include:
● Beer/Seltzers (local to the Midwest): Middlebrow, Sketchbook, Pollyanna, Toke Seltzers and PRESS
● Liquor (local to Illinois): Skeptic Vodka, Whiskey Acres and Koval
● Food (local to Chicago): Defloured Bakery and Savoury Crust
● Coffee (local to Chicago): Dark Matter
The expanded lobby, which also serves as Lookingglass Theatre’ box office, features new universal restrooms, an accessible ramp to the inner lobby, a video wall designed by Liviu Pasare and art elements by Clare Brew, Brandin Hurley, Sully Ratke and Matthew C. Yee.
Lookingglass will use this space to build community, with cultural programming that reflects its ongoing initiatives. Upcoming education and community events are listed on the Company’s website, LookingglassTheatre.org.
The owner’s representative for lobby construction was RLE Project Management; the contractor was Norcon Inc.; and the architecture and design teams were led by WK1 (Working Group 1) and Wheeler Kearns Architects. Other important contributors to this project include American Fiberglass, KWI Cabinetry, Midnight Audio and the following individuals: Sarah Burnham, Ceyda Akosman Hunt, Lee Golub, Bob Palffy and Morlen Sinoway, among many others.
ABOUT THE JOAN AND PAUL THEATRE
The mainstage at the Water Tower Water Works has been named in honor of longtime Lookingglass supporters Joan and Paul Rubschlager and their transformational gift to ensure the future of Lookingglass. The couple have been instrumental in their partnership with Chicago organizations, such as Rush University and The Field Museum. Nationally, their support extends to the American Heart Association and Alzheimer's Association. The Joan and Paul Theatre reconfigures the stage and audience seating as dictated by the needs of each season, with a capacity of 200 persons including the balcony.
ABOUT THE 2024/2025 SEASON
Circus Quixote
January 30 - March 30
Based on Miguel de Cervantes’ “Don Quijote of La Mancha”
Adapted and Directed by Kerry and David Catlin
Circus by Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi
Produced in Association with Actors Gymnasium Circus School & Theatre Company
Featuring Michel Rodríguez Cintra, Micah Figueroa, Julian Hester, Laura Murillo Hart, Andrea San Miguel, Ayana Strutz and Eduardo Martinez
The Joan and Paul Theatre at Water Tower Water Works, 163 E Pearson St. at Michigan Ave.
Previews: Thursday, Jan. 30 - Saturday, Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 2 at 1:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Feb. 5 - Friday, Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Press Opening: Saturday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m.
Performance schedule for Feb. 9 - March 30: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7 p.m., Thursdays at 1:30 and 7 p.m., Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 1:30 and 7 p.m. and Sundays at 1:30 p.m.
Tickets are $30 - $80
For more than 400 years, Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quijote of La Mancha has inspired readers and cultures across the globe. Lookingglass’ production, first incubated at The Actors Gymnasium, brings this literary classic to life anew in 2025. Somewhere in La Mancha there lived a man who read so many books about chivalry that his brains dried up. In this world premiere, Lookingglass transports audiences tiltingly and acrobatically into the dreamy madness of Don Quixote and his impossible folly-filled quest to bring good-deed doing back into the world … whether the world wants it or not.
Iraq, But Funny
May 29 – July 20
Written by Atra Asdou
Directed Dalia Ashurina
The Joan and Paul Theatre at Water Tower Water Works, 163 E. Pearson St. at Michigan Ave.
Tickets: $30 - $80
A raucous satire about five generations of Assyrian women reclaiming their stories, as narrated by a British guy. Making its world premiere at Lookingglass Theatre, Ensemble Member Atra Asdou’s original dark comedy jauntily marches through the Ottoman Empire to modern-day U.S.A. exploring history, family and dysfunction.
ABOUT LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE COMPANY
Founded in 1988 by graduates of Northwestern University, Lookingglass Theatre Company is a nationwide leader in the creation and presentation of new, cutting-edge theatrical works and in sharing its ensemble-based theatrical techniques with Chicago-area students and teachers through Education and Community Programs. Guided by an artistic vision centered on the core values of collaboration, transformation and invention, Lookingglass seeks to capture audiences’ imaginations leaving them changed, charged and empowered.
Recipient of the 2011 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre, Lookingglass has built a national reputation for artistic excellence and ensemble-based theatrical innovation. Notable world premieres include Mary Zimmerman’s Tony Award-winning Metamorphoses and The Odyssey, J. Nicole Brooks' Her Honor Jane Byrne, David Schwimmer’s adaptation of Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle and Studs Terkel’s Race: How Blacks and Whites Think and Feel about the American Obsession, Matthew C. Yee's Lucy and Charlie's Honeymoon and David Catlin’s circus tribute to Lewis Carroll, Lookingglass Alice, which was captured by HMS Media and reached 1.6 million PBS viewers. Lookingglass Alice is now available to more than four million students worldwide through Digital Theatre+. Work created by Lookingglass artists has been produced in Australia, Europe and dozens of cities throughout the United States.
Circus Quixote production sponsors include Greg Thompson & Greg Cameron and Marla Mendelson, M.D. & Stephen Wolf.
Iraq, But Funny production sponsors include the MAP Fund.
The 2024 - 2025 season sponsors are the City of Chicago, The Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation, Hearn, HMS Media, Illinois Arts Council, Joan & Paul Rubschlager, Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, Waldorf Astoria and Steve & Lorrayne Weiss.
(L to R) Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Founding Ensemble Member, Board Member, Actor and Director David Schwimmer and Artistic Director Kasey Foster at the ribbon cutting held by Lookingglass Theatre Company, Monday, Jan. 27 at Water Tower Water Works, 163 E Pearson St. at Michigan Ave. Photo by In the Black Photography
(L to R) Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Artistic Director Kasey Foster and Managing Director Jamey Lundblad at the ribbon cutting held by Lookingglass Theatre Company, Monday, Jan. 27 at Water Tower Water Works, 163 E Pearson St. at Michigan Ave. Photo by In the Black Photography
Creative Producer – Mellon Playwright in Residence and Ensemble Member J. Nicole Brooks holding an illustration by artistic associate Sully Ratke of Lookingglass’ longtime supporters Joan and Paul Rubschlager for whom the The Joan and Paul Theater has been named at the dedication of the Joan and Paul Theatre and ribbon cutting held by Lookingglass Theatre Company, Monday, Jan. 27 at Water Tower Water Works, 163 E Pearson St. at Michigan Ave. Photo by In the Black Photography
(L to R) Lookingglass Casting Director and Ensemble Member Phil Smith, Creative Producer – Mellon Playwright in Residence and Ensemble Member J. Nicole Brooks and Founding Ensemble Member, Board Member, Actor and Director David Schwimmer at the ribbon cutting held by Lookingglass Theatre Company, Monday, Jan. 27 at Water Tower Water Works, 163 E Pearson St. at Michigan Ave. Photo by In the Black Photography
Creative Producer – Mellon Playwright in Residence and Ensemble Member J. Nicole Brooks, Founding Ensemble Member, Board Member, Actor and Director David Schwimmer, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Deputy Mayor Kenya Merritt at the ribbon cutting held by Lookingglass Theatre Company, Monday, Jan. 27 at Water Tower Water Works, 163 E Pearson St. at Michigan Ave. Photo by In the Black Photography