From the Daily Herald
The picture getting bigger for replica of Catlow
By Eileen O. Daday
Daily Herald Correspondent
Posted Friday, July 08, 2005
In the 1920s it took more than a year for famed sculptor Alfonso Iannelli
to design all the gargoyles, murals and wall sconces that enhance the historic
Catlow Theater in Barrington.
It took modern day teams of volunteers nearly that long to build its 10-foot-tall
scaled replica, working with area artisans to recreate its ornate lobby and
theater detail.
When they unveiled their creation at Barrington’s July Fourth parade,
they drew amazement from the crowd, and won first place from parade judges
for best overall entry. But they’re not done yet.
“The Catlow is on the National Historic Registry,” says Karl Heitman,
the Barrington architect and historical society member driving the replica. “We’re
trying to create an awareness of the history of Barrington, and the wonderful
resource we have in the Catlow.”
Heitman and his committee members designed the replica to be a home entertainment
center that could double as a puppet theater or children’s stage. They
are accepting sealed bids for the replica, and will open the bids Oct. 8, during
an Octoberfest Michael Joseph Foundation benefit, with proceeds also benefiting
the Barrington Area Historical Society.
The Barrington-based Michael Joseph Foundation works to provide transitional
housing to area families in crisis.
“Our desire was to hopefully create something of value for the community,” Heitman
adds, “that would draw a lot of people to the theater, and sharpen their
perceptions about its artistic value.”
Tim O’Connor who, with his wife Roberta, bought the Catlow in 1988, says
the replica does just that. Immediately after the parade, people came back
to the theater to check out what they had seen on the float.
“
It’s like seeing the Catlow when it was new,” O’Connor says. “It
brings out all the detail that went into it when it was built.”
The Catlow originally was designed by the architectural firm of Betts & Holcomb
of Chicago as a dream come true for Barrington businessman Wright Catlow.
He obtained interior drawings from the Pickwick Theater in Park Ridge, designed
by Iannelli, when Pickwick owners decided to go with another plan.
Iannelli was a friend of Frank Lloyd Wright’s who later would work on
many of the exposition pavilions at the Century of Progress for the 1933 World’s
Fair in Chicago. The Catlow and Pickwick are among the few remaining Iannelli
buildings outside Chicago.
In working to build the replica, volunteers enlisted a resident blacksmith
to construct the iron light sconces in the theater, and local artists to duplicate
the ornate stenciling on the ceiling tresses and presidium around the stage.
They worked just as hard to craft the outside, using a faux finish on the brick
and limestone to match the Tudor revival design.
For the parade, Heitman even hired a local puppet group to perform a show during
the length of the route.
“The attention to detail is just unbelievable,” O’Connor says. “I’m
so thankful to all the volunteers who worked so hard to build this. It’s
good to know the theater’s still appreciated.”
Its creators hope that between now and October its value will appreciate even
more within the community. To help heighten its visibility, the replica is
planned to be on display at the Barrington Area Public Library, Willow Creek
Community Church and at the Barrington Area Historical Museum, though specific
dates have not been worked out.