This pandemic has hurt many businesses and while it appeared that there was a light at the end of the tunnel, it is still dim. One of my favorite area theaters, The Mercury on Southport has announced that they are forced to close their doors- “forever”. Maybe there will be a way for Walter Stearns and Eugene Dizon for them to come back. I sure hope so. The Mercury, a Chicago landmark just a stones throw from The Music Box is a special venue. Intimate in space, and yet, under the careful eye of Stearns ( and other directors brought in) each production felt like it was “Broadway” on Southport. 
The building, for many years housed a few dining spaces as well, and after Stearns took it over, they took one of the dining spaces and converted it to a new venue, Venus. The Venus was a cabaret styled venue for small stage productions and for individual Cabaret shows. When the pandemic hit, they were in rehearsal for a show in the Venus and running a show on their main stage. They were bringing music to Southport, and now the lights have dimmed. I am in hopes that it is only a dimming and that the switch is not in the OFF position. Maybe, just maybe, some major benefactor will come forward and allow the magic of Stearns and Dizon ( and all the talented people they have found over the years) to bring the lights up again. Until then , thank you Walter and Eugene for the magic and the music!
So sorry to hear it! I really liked the place! But, you’re right: it could just be for the time being…. As they say, “Until we meet again.”