Genesee Theatre

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The one-and-only Genesee Theatre’s grand opening advertisement.

On Christmas Day 1927, the 2,500-capacity Genesee Theatre opened its doors with Milton Sills in “The Valley Of The Giants” along with a comedy (Madge Bellamy in “Silk Legs”) and a newsreel.

Prior to showing, there were special performances by Frank Wallin and his “Harmony Kings” in “Hello Everybody” featuring Johnny Perkins and a host of other Oriental Theater (Chicago) stars. In front of the band contains work with the Juveline Revue from the Oriental Theater in downtown Chicago. In addition, some of those stars include champion Blues singer Lillian Barnes, Prince Lani along with his Marimba Band, Senator Murphy in a routine, and others.

As of 1927, the Playhouse’s scintillating lights twinkling from crystal chandeliers reflecting the warm golds and reds and delicate blues color scheme being added on grand opening. The marquee had a grand total of around 673 lights on a more than 40 feet high sign containing a flasher. It was also one of a few earlier theaters in the Chicago area to have an air conditioner whenever the temperature rises up or down in the city.

The people gave huge credit to the Peterson & Weeks Company of 1117 West Washington Street in Waukegan for all their work on erecting and the M.H. Hussey Lumber Company of Waukegan with the construction. The theater was also equipped with a Mammoth Barton Grande Organ, the same organ being used in the Chicago, Oriental, and Uptown Theatres in the Windy City. The hardware furnishings were done by the Silver Hardware Company of 1115 West Washington Street, next door to the Peterson & Weeks Company. The building’s progress was done by Noll & Noll of 5 South Genesee Street. The glass that was built was done by the Waukegan Glass Company of 8 South County Street, the roofing being done by the Hubert Company of Waukegan, and the contracting by Chicago’s Bullivant-Lingg Company. Thos. J. Killian of 1603 North Sheridan Road in North Chicago does the plumbing. There were also apartments surrounding it, with the surface and decorations being done by J.T. Emmons of 220 Ridgeland Avenue in Waukegan, and the furniture by E. Goodman’s Department Store of 602-604 Tenth Street (over the corner of Walworth Avenue). The metal work was at the theater was done by the Standard Sheet Metal Works of 1012 West Washington Street, and the electrical engineering was done by the Waukegan Electric Company of 111 South Genesee Street.

Under the one-and-only Great States chain, the theater was managed by William O. Butts and Julius Lamm. Butts is formerly the manager of the nearby Academy Theatre (formerly known as the Waukegan Academy for nearly 50 years from 1866 until the second quarter of 1916). Mr. Butts was formerly a first lieutenant in the first World War entering from the West Point. He was the regional manager of the North Shore interests of the circuit.

Mr. Butts also supervised a drill that was given to the people at the Genesee, called an “Army Drill”. Whenever the Genesee crowds will always be handled in an orderly matter, including fire stampedes or similar mob difficulties will be unidentified at the theater. Rigid rules are in force and every member of the staff is being schooled in behavior and the principles of efficiency.

The general manager of other Great State Theatres, Julius Lamm, later confine his managerial activities to the other three theaters in Waukegan. The Academy, Elite, and the Orpheum. At opening, a switcheroo has been made. Lamm placed former Elite Theatre operator Frank Stehno in the Academy Theatre where he assist Mr. Lamm by looking after affairs at the Academy, and Walter Woods, former Academy Theatre operator, takes the opposite at the Elite.