Kungsholm Puppet Opera

In what is today Lawry's Steakhouse in Chicago, was once the location of Kungsholm Restaurant. I was never at the restaurant though I long heard older family members regale in the unique entertainment offered there: Puppet Opera. For example, they would play a recording of Carmen with Leontyne Price singing and puppets playing the parts.

When the restaurant closed, some puppets were donated to the Science and Industry Museum. I have seen them on display on one of the staircase exhibits, I believe. The other puppets, sets and costumes met their fate in a dumpster. Someone did a bit of enterprising dumpster diving and reclaimed these treasures.

These puppets are back in action via Opera in Focus situated at Rolling Meadows Park District Theater, 3000 Central Road, Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60008.

I brought my nieces to see this when they were small children. We saw Aida together there. This does attract the serious music crowd, who were not too pleased to see me walk in with pre-schoolers. The girls were well behaved and loved every moment of the spectacle.

Anyway the food may be long gone though their unique entertainment is still alive.

Thank you for a trip down memory lane. I remember being taken to Kungsholm around 1960 (dating myself, I know) by my parents as a special treat. I remember the puppets and that it was music (but not what opera). I do not remember the food, especially, but distinctly recall this as the occasion when I was first served a "kiddie cocktail."

I still don't like cherries in drinks, this may be why.

I remember going to the Kungsholm as a child for birthdays. We would sit through the opera and then have lunch. We always dressed up in our best clothes for this special treat. I was always amazed by the puppets.

I have seen the Kungsholm display at the Museum of Science and Industry and tried to explain to my daughters why this was so special, but they just didn't get it. Perhaps now that they are older I should take them to the puppet theatre so they can get a taste of what mom did when she was a little girl!

As a young teen (from 1960 to 1968) my Grandpa used to take the WHOLE family there (he had lots of children and granchildren). He'd reserve a room, we'd go see the puppet opera and then eat the famous Kungsholm buffet (which to me at the time was quite swank). I had to call my Mom to refresh what the occasion for our visits was, it was always really cold when we went there - the occasion was my Grandfather's birthday in February... A couple of times he hired a bus to take us all down there... great memory finding this site and the posts about the Kungsholm. I found this tidbit on it's origins which I hope you enjoy.... This is my introductory post here. My name is Michael and I am a hard core foodie, former Oak Park brat and love to cook. Cheers !!!

On the Kungsholm:

”The Italian Renaissance style mansion (home to Lawry’s) was first built as a private residence for L.Hamilton McCormick - nephew of the Reaper-King, Cyrus Hall McCormick, and his British wife, Constance Plummer. Mrs. McCormick was one of the “society hostesses” of the era during the 1890’s.

After being widowed in 1934 and raising her 3 sons (Alister, Leander Jr. and Edward Hamilton) Mrs. McCormick leased the home to Mr. Pierre Nuytens from 1935 to 1937 – and he trans formed the 400 person capacity ballroom into the Continetal Casino.

In 1937, famed restaurateur, Fredrik A. Chramer leased the building and opened an expensive Scandinavian “smorgasbord.” The Kungsholm dining room was decorated in a Moderne Swedish style with coats of arms representing each of the three Scandinavian countries. It was Chramer who turned the ballroom into a home movie theater and in 1940 was inspired by Danish puppet shows to create the internationally known Kungsholm Puppet Theater.”

Hi,

It's great to hear anecdotes from someone who was really there.

It's funny this pops up today. I was reminding myself in the last day or so, I wanted to make reservations for their Christmas show.

We look forward to interacting with you more in the future! Welcome to LTHforum.

Regards,