Real Gone Places: Sheridan Theatres, Chicago and New York

The 2,600 seat neo-classical/Italian Baroque style Sheridan Theatre, built in 1927 at 4036 N. Sheridan Road in Chicago, was designed by J.E.O. Pridmore. The auditorium featured a balcony and a mock-tented ceiling ringed by a Roman-style frieze of a procession of gods, a small stage, plus an orchestra pit and organ -- and who doesn't love a big organ?

The Sheridan closed in 1951 and became a synagogue for 15 years, then in the '70s became a Spanish-language theatre called Teatro El Palacio (as seen above). It burned in the '80s and was demolished in the early '90s to make way for this monstrosity, a retirement home.


This is not the same Sheridan Theatre of Edward Hopper's painting.


That's the Loew's Sheridan in NYC, seen below.


Originally the Mark Strand Sheridan, an Austin organ Opus 1007 was installed in 1921 at a cost of $9,400 (that's $104,635 in 2010 dollars). That's some organ!

The Loew's was also torn down (in the early '70s), and is now a community garden that's part of St. Vincent's Hospital.


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Sheridan Chicago photo: Bruce Sharp
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Amy Goes Goth

My imaginary daughter Amy, 6, spent a long weekend with her mother, Carolyn and her boyfriend Fahd, visiting with Carolyn's relatives in Massachusetts. As you can see by the above photo, Amy returned as a Goth. Yes, I know she's big for six. I was especially reminded when I insisted on taking temporary custody of her new tee shirt, a gift from her Aunt Crystal.

This unfortunate episode seems to have been prompted by Carolyn's sister Crystal's new look, as seen below. I haven't seen Crystal for over ten years, not quite long enough to create a comfortable distance. Amy tells me, "Aunt Crystal's apartment looks like those places on 'Clean House' on Style Network. Before."


Now, I'm all for Amy's sense of self-expression, but my encouragement runs into some paternal hesitancy at fingerless gloves, black nail polish and cringeworthy nose jewelry. I was thankful, at least, that her tattoo was temporary, like her mother's civility. Amy modified her look with this cheery tee shirt so we could attend her school's father/imaginary daughter conference.


I drove Amy back to her mother's, where we found Carolyn outside, waiting, barefooted, for what she said was a "Domino's delivery." As you can see by her expression, she was delighted to see me. Nearly as delighted as her second toe was with its ring.


It was a rough flight back for Carolyn. Her boyfriend, Fahd, was bounced off the plane when he didn't fit in his seat. Amy took this pic with her Hello Kitty iPhone.


This apparently ended with some type of scuffle in which a flight attendant, Geraldo, was not just hurt, but offended.


Amy said, "Geraldo reminded me of you, Ricky. Only cuter. And younger."

I Will Cut Me!

Shiite Muslim men and boys assault themselves with chains and blades in Kabul, Afghanistan during Ashura -- a 10-day mourning period for Imam Hussein, who was killed in a battle in Iraq in 680 AD.


Self-flagellation... when you care enough to send the very best.

Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

Real Housewife

You know it's cold in Los Angeles when Khloe Kardashian has sprouted her winter fur... as seen outside of a cupcake place in Beverly Hills.

The makeup also keeps her warm.


David Aguilera/BuzzFoto/FilmMagic