Beginning of the Big Time
Valentine’s Day 2012
Only at The New National Pastime Theater
Celebrating Twenty Years

The New National Pastime Theater opens to the public this Valentine's Day, Tuesday February 14, 2012. Step out in high style at our first annual Beginning of the Big Time, a speakeasy-style Jazz Spectacular. The Beginning of the Big Time features jazz quartet Fred Barr's Organ-ized Sound, a plethora of enticing period style entertainment and the tastiest edibles by Chef Steve Madjar of Chicago’s greatest former theater dive The Gaslight (1972-1999). Our romantic new theater is the perfect outlaw hangout for thrill seeking lovers and love seeking thrillers. Patrons are encouraged to dress for the occasion, and to bring their favorite spirits. NPT will provide the set ups for all libations. All proceeds from this benefit go to restoration of this historic theatrical space.

After nearly twenty years in the Old Speakeasy on Broadway in Chicago, The New National Pastime Theater is unveiling Chicago's newest theatrical venue in our beloved Uptown neighborhood. NPT has rediscovered the historic Masonic Hall on the forth floor of the Preston Bradley Center at 941 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. This beautiful space has only been opened to the public for 15 years of it’s 87 year history. The The New National Pastime Theater is located in the center of Chicago's most historic, gangster era neighborhood and the center of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's deemed Neighborhood Entertainment District.

Our new theater, built in 1925, has Neoclassical architecture, twenty-four foot ceilings, period murals, original maple floors and is on the Federal Register of Historic Places. (Please see link for high resolution photographs at the bottom of the page.)

Beginning of the Big Time shows ONE NIGHT ONLY . Valentine's Day, February 14th, 2012 from 7pm-11pm. Formal vintage dress encouraged. BYOB. Tickets are $50 per couple ($25 single) in advance and $60 per couple ($30 single) at the door.

All tickets can be purchased at nationalpastimetheater.com or the box office at 773-327-7077.  Call for group sales.

The New National Pastime Theater is located in the Preston Bradley Center at 941 W Lawrence Ave., Chicago. The curious and bold can discover us via the Red Line, Lawrence train stop and bus routes 36, 81, 145 and 151 are all within 3 blocks.

For lovely photos of The New National Pastime Theater go to http://archive.psgwire.com/gallery/NPT-New-Space/G0000qakcFNg0lBo and use the following password: npt2012space . There are high resolution images for print and lower resolution images for online or small print use. Make sure you click "Embed Updated Metadata" to download. Photos have caption and copyright info embedded in the metadata. Photo credit must read "Warren Winter / PSG" must accompany any published image.

If you have trouble accessing the photographs, contact Laurence at nationalpastime@sbcglobal.net.