Celebrating a Grand Past The Visionaries The construction of a "vaudeville movie palace" in Joliet was the undertaking of the six Rubens brothers. The Royal Theatre Company was formed to guarantee the 2 million dollar project. With the opening of the theatre on May 24, 1926, the Royal Theatre Company leased the operation of the theatre to the Great States Theatre, Inc. The property remained under the control and direction of the Rubens brothers. The Architects C.W. and George L. Rapp founded the Chicago firm of Rapp & Rapp Architects in 1906. Following the Rialto Square Theatre project, they continued to build ornate theatres throughout the Midwest. The Construction Company The Rialto Square Theatre building was another Kaiser-Ducett masterpiece. Kaiser-Ducett was also the main contractor for many of the exhibits at Chicago's 1933 World's Fair. The Sculptor The Rialto's magnificent European architecture is the signature work of the late Eugene Romeo, a Sicilian immigrant who settled in Park Ridge, IL. Romeo joined the McNulty Brothers Company of Chicago, one of the largest plastering firms in the country. The Restored Rialto The former "vaudeville movie palace" changed its costume to a "performing arts center" on November 21, 1981. Actual restoration began in April of 1980. Conrad Scmitt Studios of New Berlin, Wisconsin, restored and renovated the theatre beyond its original magnificence. The Performing Arts Center A campaign to "Save the Rialto" for future generations as a performing arts center was initiated by Dorothy Mavrich, president of the Rialto Square Arts Association, now the Cultural Arts Council of the Joliet Area. "Save the Rialto" involved the entire community. With the assistance of local businessman, Christo Dragatsis, support was sought from city, state and federal officials. Former State Representative, LeRoy Van Duyne, was instrumental in obtaining the necessary funds for purchase of the properties. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Rialto is a not-for-profit organization under the direction of the Will County Metropolitan Exposition & Auditorium Authority.

For Tickets General Sales Ticketmaster 312-902-1500 Group Sales Ticketmaster 815-726-7171 Or stop by the Rialto Box Office: 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet Box Office hours: M-F 9am-5pm Sat 9am-noon 2 hours before each performance to 1 hour past show time. For Information General Information 815-726-6600 Group Tours 815-726-7171 Private Events & Rentals 815-726-7171 Fax Numbers Box Office 815-726-0235 Adm. Office 815-726-0352