Evanston renames Theo Ubique Theatre

Tonight, the Chicago area theater community gathered at Theo Ubique Theatre on Howard Street in Evanston to pay homage to the man who created some of the greatest theater in Chicago. Fred Anzevino, who came to Chicago, found an empty store on Glenwood Avenue in Rogers Park, and made history. As Chris Jones stated, Fred created the “storefront theater Musical” for our area and over the years that followed a great number of followers have created their own.

What Fred created was a beautiful thing. An old “coffee house” became a dinner theater/drink musical theater, in an area that one would think could never be. Imagine. actors on stage and people walking b could stop and stare through the window as they poured their hearts out. The servers and bar tenders were also the performers who during the show would perform, but at intermission, bring you your dessert and more coffee. This theater grew and talent came to Fred. While he had a great eye for said talent, many young actors were told that they might just get work at Theo Ubique…and they did.\!

When Evanston was seeking to bring a theater to their city, they looked at several, and by chance, Theo got the chance to move from a storefront to a brand new building on a major street with area parking available ( not so easy in Rogers Park). The kitchen went away after they tried working with local Evanston restauarnts, but the bar and snacks were still available. The theater is larger and far more flexible than the old storefront, but the heart and soul was always Fred. Fred has gone to that big stage in the sky, but the building located at 721 West Howard Street in Evanston will always be where his spirit will be. Today, the new name of the building was unveiled: the Fred Anzevino Theatre!

I placed an orange Sunkist in your sister’s hand, Fred. She is holding it for you!

to learn more, visit www.theo-u.com