A major milestone for Chicago’s arts and entertainment community, the historic space formerly known as Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse Ave., previously managed and operated by Tawani Property Management, has been acquired by Rhapsody Theater LLC. to be completely reimagined as Rhapsody Theater, a destination with an entirely new vision set to open this June. The beautiful, intimate new space is located in the heart of Rogers Park and is primed for acoustic excellence from every area of the 200-seat venue. The Rhapsody Theater will offer a diverse lineup of star-studded talent including internationally renowned magicians, highly acclaimed chamber music, as well as unique world music, cabaret, and dance performances.
The Rhapsody Theater named Ricardo T. Rosenkranz, MD as Managing Partner and Artistic Director responsible for the new development. Dr. Ricardo T. Rosenkranz is the producer and internationally regarded illusionist known for “The Rosenkranz Mysteries”, as well as an award-winning Physician and Assistant Professor in Clinical Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
The Rhapsody Theater is also proud to announce industry leader Mark Kozy has been added to the team to lead in the role of General Manager of the Rhapsody Theater. Mark brings with him an impressive two decades of theatrical experience and excellence, including leadership roles at the Goodman Theater and League of Chicago Theatres.
“Our vision for the space is enthusiastically new, and our ultimate goal is to bring a whole new genre of theatrical and musical experiences to Chicago,” said Dr. Ricardo T. Rosenkranz, Managing Partner and Artistic Director of The Rhapsody Theater. “We look forward to offering our patrons access to some of the brightest names in magic, chamber music, world music, and cabaret. We plan to curate a myriad of exclusive experiences in our intimate atmosphere in a storied place to enjoy and appreciate the arts.”
Kicking things off with a larger-than-life opening lineup of magicians, Rhapsody Theater is proud to present the Premier of Award-winning magician Carisa Hendrix’s revised and reimagined first full-theatrical show: Lucy Darling: Indulgence.
David Copperfield calls her “Funny. Engaging. Stylish. What a lovely way to spend an evening!”
Carisa Hendrix, Stage Magician of the Year said of her upcoming performances at the Rhapsody Theater, “I am honored and delighted to participate in the Rhapsody Theater’s inaugural season!”
Lucy Darling: Indulgence begins performances the week of June 12 and shows will run through July 17.
Also in June, legendary Chicago-based mind reader and psychic entertainer Ross Johnson will begin his weekly open-ended run every Wednesday night presenting Ross Johnson: A funny thing happened to me tomorrow. Ross Johnson has been hailed as one of the most gifted psychic performers of our time. He was unanimously voted as the world’s top entertainer in the areas of the psychic and arcane by the International Psychic Entertainers Association.
Mind reader, magician, clairvoyant, fortune teller, telepath, mentalist…Ross Johnson is all these things and more.
Later in the summer, The Rhapsody Theater is elated to present the US Premiere of renowned Spanish superstar Jandro’s full evening stage show. Jandro is known to American audiences most famously for fooling the beloved Penn and Teller on their hit show Fool Us not once, not twice, not three times, but four times with his incredible magic!
“I can’t think of a better place to make my North American premier than at the Rhapsody Theater in Chicago!” said Jandro of the upcoming run. “I am thrilled to share my full evening magic show with Chicago Audiences.”
Also in the Summer, the Rhapsody Theater will welcome two-time Magic Castle Stage Magician of the Year Zabrecky for a series of performances. Hailed by the LA Times as “one highly entertaining bundle of distinct point of view”, Zabrecky is one of the most sought-after magicians in the World.
Ticket sales for June and July performances will open to the public on May 1 via the theater’s website.
Originally known as the Morse Theater built in 1912, the destination has long been a source of arts and entertainment, formerly operating as the Co-Ed Theater and most recently, the Mayne Stage. The Rhapsody Theater will bring an entirely new vision, and will also be home to a full-service, 110-seat restaurant space and three distinct bars throughout, which Dr. Ricardo T. Rosenkranz anticipates developing and operating as an outlet for both patrons and community members alike to enjoy year-round. The multi-faceted theater is perfectly primed for world-class performances with state-of-the-art acoustics and versatile seating arrangement capabilities allowing for enhanced experiences of both intimate and large format events and programs. The new space will also include an upstairs lounge, perfect for after- performance socializing, “meet and greet” events with performers, and more. A Close-up magic space will open later in the year.
Speaking to the theater’s mission, Rosenkranz said, “We are honored to become a part of the Rogers Park neighborhood and contribute to the beautiful fabric of this diverse and forward-looking neighborhood. We plan to place a distinct focus on active participation in the livelihood of the wonderful community we are now a part of through educational programs and special performances curated to highlight diversity, equity, and inclusion for all at our new space.”
With ample valet parking, pre-performance dining, wonderful performance venues and lounges, post-performance dining, and three bars, The Rhapsody Theater plans to create easy to enjoy, accessible, and unforgettable days and nights for Chicago audiences.
“We could not be more honored to welcome such an enthusiastic supporter and promoter of the arts as Dr. Rosenkranz to bring this exciting new development to the Rogers Park neighborhood,” said Alderwoman Maria Hadden, 49th Ward of Chicago. “The Rhapsody Theater will serve as a staple for years to come and we as a community look forward to providing our overwhelming support upon its opening this Spring.”
For more information on Rhapsody Theater, please visit www.rhapsodytheater.com. Rhapsody Theater can be found on social media @rhapsodytheater.
About Rhapsody Theater
The Rogers Park theater formerly known as the Mayne Stage,1328 W. Morse. Ave., was recently acquired by Rhapsody Theater LLC. to be reimagined as Rhapsody Theater, set to open this May. The intimate, 200-seat venue will offer a diverse range of top-tier programming including internationally renowned magic, chamber music, world music, dance, and cabaret performances with shows to begin this May. The space will also offer patrons valet parking, access to three bars and a 110-seat restaurant to enjoy, and is perfectly located in the heart of Rogers Park, easily accessible by car or public transportation with an L stop less than one block away.
About Dr. Ricardo Rosenkranz, M.D - Managing Partner and Artistic Director of The Rhapsody Theater
Born in Mexico City, Mexico, Ricardo Rosenkranz is an Assistant Professor in Clinical Pediatrics (Community Based Primary Care) at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Since 2007 Dr. Rosenkranz has devoted a significant portion of his time to teaching at the Feinberg School of Medicine where he has been an active participant in new curriculum development, helping to create the ECMH program in 2011. For his contributions to excellence in teaching Dr. Rosenkranz has received the George H. Joost award twice and has received an Outstanding Teacher Recognition for the past seven years.
In conjunction with the Medical Humanities and Bioethics Program at The Feinberg School of Medicine, Dr. Rosenkranz created the nation’s first medical school course for the study of magic and medicine. Created for first- and second-year medical students, these courses explore the performance aspects of medicine and the anthropological relationship between medicine and the magical arts. The principal aim is to help medical students develop a more sophisticated and deeper understanding of the doctor-patient relationship. This course is currently beginning its 13th year. Guest magicians participating in the course have included Teller and David Copperfield.
Dr. Rosenkranz is the Chairman of the Board of Hospi Corporation, creator of the Macy Catheter, an FDA approved medical device aimed at improving hydration and medicine administration in the Hospice setting.
Ricardo is a member and frequent performer at The World-Famous Magic Castle in Los Angeles. Most recently he performed in New York’s long-running “Monday Night Magic.” Ricardo has performed twice on Penn and Teller’s “Fool Us.” He has appeared on multiple TV channels including ABC, FOX, CW, WTTW and has been featured in Magic Magazine, Vanish, Health Leaders and The Chicago Tribune. Ricardo Rosenkranz is a longtime student of Eugene Burger and Faculty Member of McBride’s Magic and Mystery School in Las Vegas where he has led multiple courses on Medicine and Magic, Science of Magic, and Theatrical Magic. Ricardo is a member of The Magic Circle, UK’s prestigious magic society where he holds the title of Associate of the Inner Magic Circle with Silver Performing Star. His full length one man-show, The Rosenkranz Mysteries: Physician Magician has enjoyed multiple runs with multiple extensions in Chicago at The Royal George Theater. Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune Calls his show: "An immensely likeable, intelligent and very intimate show. Makes your spirit yearn to heal itself.” Teller of Penn and Teller Fame said of Ricardo’s show: “The Rosenkranz Mysteries is like spending a cozy evening with your jovial doctor – who just happens to command some of the rarest and most beautiful illusions in the world”
During the COVID-19 Pandemic Dr. Rosenkranz has devoted a significant part of his time to the medical advisory committee of Francis W. Parker School. He is also Medical Consultant to Penn and Teller’s “Fool Us,”. Dr. Rosenkranz has been a Board Member of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Harris Theater for Music and Dance where he was also Vice-Chair, Spertus Institute, and The Francis W. Parker School where he is currently an Honorary Trustee.
Dr. Rosenkranz is a member of the Advisory Council of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University.