Recalling the Eastland

Recalling the Eastland

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On July 24, 1915 the Great Lakes steamer SS Eastland capsized in the Chicago River, taking 844 lives. Raven Founder Suzanne Ross will be joined by Center for History President Alberta Adamson to discuss this event—the largest domestic disaster in American history prior to September 11, 2001—and its dramatic interpretation by the Lookingglass Theatre.

Adamson will explain the culture of the times, the accident, and the victims and heroes, setting the stage for viewing of Eastland: An Original Musical, written by Andrew White with music by artistic associate Andre Pluess and Ben Sussman.

The Center for History in Wheaton, IL, houses the largest collection of artifacts from the SS Eastland. The discussion will be held in the Lookingglass Theatre’s rehearsal room in the upper floor of the Water Works theatre at 821 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago.

Reduced price tickets for the 3:00 p.m. performance on Saturday, June 23 are available on the Lookingglass Theatre’s event page.