Uptown Theatre turns 100 with book, portrait

• In 2018, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced a $75 million city partnership with Jam Productions to restore the theater but challenges remain.

Surprising stat: "The Uptown was designed to hold thousands of people. Imagine someone opening a movie theater today with 4,320 seats — that would seem insane," Robert Loerzel, co-author of "The Uptown: Chicago's Endangered Movie Palace," tells Axios.

• The ornate lobby was designed to hold "thousands more as they waited" for the next show.

Fun fact: In addition to showing movies, the Uptown showcased the Marx Brothers for a week in 1928 and Duke Ellington in 1931, Loerzel notes.

• Later in the '70s and '80s, it hosted "the era's biggest stars, from Bruce Springsteen and Peter Gabriel to Prince. The Grateful Dead played there more than anyone else — 17 times."

The bottom line: Loerzel says he hopes the book "gives people a deeper appreciation for the history and architecture of this remarkable building — and maybe it will spark some action on the efforts to reopen it."

What's next: The public is invited to join in a community portrait outside the theater at noon Saturday.