The Rosemont Theatre is a concert hall in Rosemont, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. The venue, which has seats for 4,400 people, opened in 1995 and hosts many different musical artists and shows. It is located near O'Hare International Airport, Fashion Outlets of Chicago, Allstate Arena and Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
 Exterior of theatre | |
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| Former names | Rosemont Theatre (1995–2012) Akoo Theatre at Rosemont (2012–13) |
|---|---|
| Address | 5400 North River Road Rosemont, IL 60018 |
| Location | Chicago metropolitan area |
| Owner | Village of Rosemont |
| Type | concert hall |
| Capacity | 4,400 |
| Opened | 1995 |
| Website | |
| www | |
About
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The Mayor of Rosemont, Bradley Stephens, is currently planning to sell the site to the state of Illinois to use as a casino in an effort to gain revenue. The idea was initially pitched in September 2007 and again in May 2008, to lawmakers in Springfield who have expressed interest in the state-owned casino as they are still seeking ways to support a $31 million public works program advanced by former Governor Rod Blagojevich.[1][2][needs update] In 2012, Akoo International, Inc. purchased five-year naming rights for $1.5 million.[3] The company specializes in making interactive media for college dorms, malls and shopping centers. Along with naming rights, the company also create visual content for artists performing at the theatre and the Allstate Arena. Akoo International went out of business in January 2013 and the venue returned to its former name beginning March 2013.[4]
The theatre was planned to be demolished and moved for an upcoming expansion for the adjacent Fashion Outlets of Chicago following an approval from the village of Rosemont to do so in May 2018.[5] This never came to fruition after the expansion was called off in 2020, and Rosemont Theatre was not demolished.[6]
Events
editScorpions concluded the US leg of their Get Your Sting and Blackout World Tour here on August 21, 2010, with surprise guest appearances by former guitarist of Scorpions and UFO, Michael Schenker, younger brother of Scorpions guitarist Rudolf Schenker, during "Another Piece of Meat" and Carmine Appice, during "No One Like You". The answer-and-question game show Jeopardy! held their annual College Championship there in May 1999. Oasis (band) played the venue in 1998, 2005, and 2008. In 2001, Barney's 4th live show "Barney's Musical Castle" was taped at this place. It was the venue for the annual WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony on April 1, 2006. Various K-pop artists including 2PM, BTS, Exo, TXT, Itzy, (G)I-dle, Aespa, etc. have performed at the venue.
References
edit- ^ "Rosemont mayor again pushes plan to sell theater to state". Chicago Tribune. 2008-06-04. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
- ^ Ryan, Joseph (2008-05-10). "Rosemont mayor antes up tax revenue to gain casino". Daily Herald. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
- ^ Di Nunzio, Miriam (14 February 2012). "Rosemont Theatre sells naming rights to Akoo International, Inc". Chicago Sun-Times. Sun-Times Media Group. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- ^ Cilella, Jessica (7 March 2013). "Akoo Theatre now just plain old Rosemont Theatre again". Daily Herald (Arlington Heights). Paddock Publications. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- ^ Channick, Robert (May 10, 2018). "Fashion Outlets expansion may require demolition of Rosemont Theatre". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
- ^ Placek, Christopher (August 12, 2020). "Rosemont mall expansion called off, meaning theater stays put". Daily Herald. Retrieved January 1, 2023.