Paul and Ben haunt ACT Theatre for Annex’s production of “Ghosty.” Halloween, 2004.
THE LAGRUDCHI BROTHERS
On December 30th, 1903, inadequate fire precaution measures at the famed Iroquois (“Ear-ah-kwah”) Theatre in Chicago resulted in the deaths of 600 patrons when a stage light ignited a velvet curtain.
Standing at 24-28 W. Randolph, and open less than a month, the Iroquois Theatre was considered fireproof. However, on this cold winter night following a performance of the popular musical “Mr. Blue Beard, Jr,” the Lagrudchi Brothers took stage for a late night Vaudeville Cabaret – during which Chicago experienced its most deadly fire.
The Lagrudchi Brothers, originally from “Ohio,” struggled throughout their career and considered their gig at the Iroquois a possible breakout performance. Rumor had gone round that Marty Stein, an agent with the American Stage Performers Group – a prestigious representation agency – was in the audience and was looking for a new duo to sign to a lucrative contract.
Sadly, the Lagrudchi Brothers’ only claim to fame was that, out of over 500 performers and crew personnel backstage during the fire, they were the only two to have perished.
The Brothers now tour the United States, going from theatre to theatre with their act, eternally in search of a lucrative contract.
