Rialto Square Theatre

Rialto Square Theatre is a National Register of Historic Places landmark in Joliet, Illinois, designed by Chicago architects Rapp & Rapp and opened on May 24, 1926. Built in the Greek, Roman, and Byzantine tradition for the Rubens brothers' Royal Theatre Company, it is widely referred to as the "Jewel of Joliet" and considered one of the ten most beautiful theaters in the nation. The theatre's interior spaces have made it a sought-after setting for weddings and private celebrations. The Rotunda — modeled on Rome's Pantheon and ringed by 18 Corinthian columns — accommodates ceremonies for up to 160 guests and connects to the Esplanade, an inner lobby designed after the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles. The full theatre, a proscenium-style house with 1,966 seats, hosts larger ceremonies on its stage, where the orchestra pit rises on cue and a flower petal drop marks the couple's first kiss. The Rotunda and Esplanade can be reserved for receptions of up to 300 guests. The venue offers in-house beverage service and a dedicated house manager, with the option to add guided backstage tours during the cocktail hour.