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While Civic Opera patrons enjoy improved seating and amenities as a result of the $100 million renovation, the most critical changes took place behind the scenes. The Opera's ability to present modern, large scale productions had been hampered by inadequate backstage facilities. Landlocked by busy streets and the Chicago River, Lyric Opera took over the adjacent Civic Theatre and converted it to a variety of uses. The Civic's stage became a four-story scenery handling area with a 35-foot-square portal that opens directly onto Lyric's stage. The rest of the small theater was turned into practice rooms, dressing rooms and rehearsal spaces, one of which is three stories high and replicates the Lyric's stage. Structural challenges included inserting new floors where none had existed and removing large support columns to accommodate the scenery portal. |
