Chicago, IL – The Alter Group (www.altergroup.com) has completed program-management services for the world-renowned Victory Gardens Theater in its $11.3 million renovation of Chicago’s celebrated Biograph Theater, announced Ronald M. Clarkson, President, Construction Services, of The Alter Group.

The extensive transformation of the legendary 1914 theater -- one of Chicago's grand movie palaces and the scene of the infamous 1934 John Dillinger shootout -- was unveiled on Friday, September 29, with a preview of the play “Denmark” by Charles Smith. Victory Gardens Theater celebrated its grand opening on Saturday, October 14, and Sunday, October 15.

According to Tracy Nicholas, Vice President, Construction Services, The Alter Group, “Although the Biograph Theater’s façade is protected as an architectural landmark, we were able to gut much of the interior to create the new spaces and bring the building’s mechanical systems up to 21st-century standards.”

The Biograph's emblematic marquee remains in a replica of the original, and features 730 light bulbs and bright red neon lights with the theater’s name. The original marquee -- which was in delicate condition after decades of exposure -- was donated to the Chicago History Museum for its collection.

The centerpiece of the new Victory Gardens is a 299-seat state-of-the-art moderate-thrust main stage theater that guarantees the intimacy for which the theater’s performances are known, and provides greatly enhanced technical production capabilities. The updated theater incorporates the latest lighting and sound equipment, as well as generous wing-space, fly-space and a trap system under the stage to enable theatrical magic. In addition to the main stage, the Biograph contains a 135-seat studio theater; a terrace-level rehearsal/special events room; a comfortable lobby with an open box-office design and concession area; increased seating and amenities for people with disabilities; and accessible bathrooms.

"I'm challenged and exhilarated and a little in disbelief that this magnificent space is the new Victory Gardens," said Marcelle McVay, who owns Victory Gardens with her husband, Dennis Zacek. “The technical staff in the old theater down the street operated out of a tiny booth. The new one high above the seating area resembles a skybox at a sports stadium -- a roomy headquarters where the shows’ technicians can manipulate 288 dimmers, 175 lighting instruments and a 32-channel Yamaha digital sound mixer.”

Established in 1974 to produce world-premiere plays, Victory Gardens purchased the historic Biograph Theater to transform it into a new home for its productions. Recipient of the 2001 Tony Award for Regional Theater, Victory Gardens is designated an Established Regional Arts Institution by the Illinois Arts Council.

The Alter Group partnered with Chicago-based Pepper Construction Group, a Chicago-based national general contracting and construction management firm, to deliver the project. The architect for the project was Chicago-based Coffey & Associates.

The Alter Group's Construction Services division provides program-management, design/build, construction management, interior construction and interior-construction services for corporate and institutional clients. Midwest Construction News ranks The Alter Group as #13 among Illinois' top 90 contractors and #26 among the Midwest’s top 135 contractors.