Tony DeSantis

Anthony DeSantis, KStJ (January 5, 1914 – June 6, 2007) was an American theater owner and entrepreneur known for the area's Drury Lane theatres. During DeSantis' lifetime, his empire included six separate theaters.

Life and career Beginning with his birth in Gary, Indiana, DeSantis began his career in show business playing trumpet in Chicago. In 1935, he was nearly killed in an explosion at the Glidden paint factory where he was working. He purchased a club in 1940 on Michigan Avenue before moving out of Chicago to nearby Evergreen Park, where he opened the Martinique Restaurant, which was highly acclaimed.

Drury Lane Oak Brook Terrace premiered in 1984, and it benefited from what DeSantis had learned over the years. The facility uses local performers to keep costs down; the theatre is surrounded by bars, restaurants and banquet rooms; shows are limited to musicals; and there is no charge for parking.

Despite the occasional setback, his Drury Lane Theater empire grew steadily and DeSantis became a wealthy man. He was opposed to Chicago mafia involvement in Chicago show business and in 1958 was involved in an FBI sting against the Chicago mob. This led to a retaliatory explosion in his Martinique nightclub in 1962. This was followed in 1980 by a promotion to the rank of associate knight in the same Order. In 2010, Drury Lane Water Tower Place was taken over by Broadway in Chicago. Increased production budgets has allowed Drury Lane Theatre in Oak Brook Terrace to modernize the stage, improve scenic design, increase the size of the orchestra, provide better costumes and talent cast. Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune stated that the theatre had, "a real eye to excellence (drawing from both) the very talented, vibrant Chicago theater community (and) a national casting pool." In 2013, the facility unveiled the first phase of its multimillion-dollar renovation, including the Grand Ballroom , the cocktail lounge, lobby and the English and French rooms. The second phase included refurbishing the Theatre Bar and Courtyard Restaurant.