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 Productions with African-American themes |
4520 N Beacon Chicago, IL 60640 United States +1 773 769 4451 |
This theater, directed by Jackie Taylor, used to house the Organic Theater Company, followed by the Zebra Crossing Theater, and has since been taken over by the Black Ensemble, which specializes in the transformation of classic works into productions with African-American themes, such as "The Other Cinderella." The company also produces biographical musicals of African Americans who have made major cultural contribution to this country. Audience members have 170 seats from which to enjoy such plays as "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "The Glass Menagerie." Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Wholesome entertainment |
100 North University Street Illinois State University Chicago, IL 61790-2640 United States +1 309 438 5444 / +1 309 438 2222 (University) http://www.bsc.ilstu.edu/ |
The Braden Auditorium belongs to, and is part of Illinois State University. This complex hosts various events and services. Come catch various cultural shows and events, like symphony orchestra performances, Broadway shows, arts and crafts exhibitions, and comedies among others. Call the box office or check their website to get tickets for all performances of your interest. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Erik Abderhalden  |
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Premier theater in the burgeoning North Loop Theater district |
151 W Randolph Street Chicago, IL 60601 United States +1 312 977 1700 |
With its original incarnation as a vaudeville house in 1926, this 2,300-seater dates back to an era when no expense was spared to create glitzy, glamorous theaters. But, like many other grand theater and movie houses of the time (and for that matter, the inner-city as a whole), the Palace fell into disrepair and was vacated a shell of its former glory. Unlike many of its now-razed counterparts, this theater was saved from the wrecking ball and in fact underwent a $20 million renovation. Now the Palace truly befits its name again, with its chandeliers and rose-colored walls and mirrors. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Michael Lehet |
 Photo: Michael Lehet |
 Photo: Matt Avery |
 Photo: Eric Gustin |
 Photo: Cheryl E. Black |
 Photo: Stephanie Nall |
 Photo: Jeff Higgins |
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Northwestern University performance space |
600 Emerson Chicago, IL 60208 United States +1 847 491 5080 http://www.northwestern.edu/ |
Named after Bertram Joseph Cahn, a University trustee who donated $100,000 two months before construction began on Scott Hall in 1940, Scott Hall is a center for University social life, and the auditorium is connected to the hall. The L-shaped building has 1,011 seats, has been the venue for a wide range of notable speakers, important ceremonies and musical and theatrical productions, and is the permanent home of the annual Waa-Mu Show. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Crissy T. Kawamoto |
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Theater for kids |
60 East Balbo Drive DePaul University Merle Reskin Theatre Chicago, IL 60605 United States +1 312.922.1999 (Box Office) http://theatreschool.depaul.edu/ |
One of the first Children's Theaters in the country, this theater is still going strong. Founded under the auspices of the Goodman Theatre in 1925, it is now maintained by DePaul University. The productions range from the traditional fairy tale type shows to some more experimental works that have somehow managed to work their way into the repertoire. Plays are staged at the historic 1,300-seat Merle Reskin Theater. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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The finest in community-based African-American theater |
500 East 67th Street Chicago, IL 60637 United States +1 773 493 5360 http://www.chicagotheatrecompa... |
Led by artistic director Douglas Alan-Mann, this intriguing theater, located in the Parkway Community Center, is home to one of the few community-based African-American troupes in the city. The troupe usually produces an average of three plays per year, such as the successful 'Train Is Comin'', the saga of the a cappella Fisk Jubilee Singers. The theater promotes African-American talent, and supports a Youth Outreach Program that brings students to the productions. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Dakota Rivero |
 Photo: Simone Calò |
 Photo: Arief Sukianto |
 Photo: Jocelyn Wedgeworth |
 Photo: Jill Harrison |
 Photo: linus boman |
 Red All Over |
333, N Dearborn Street Chicago, IL United States +1 312 923 2473 |
Upscale drinking and ambiance. If you're driving, you might want to consider taking a taxi. This place gets pretty packed on the weekends so it can be hard to find a parking space. Valet is also on hand if you get too frustrated. Don't worry about drinking too much, the bar is located in the Hotel Sax if you need a place to crash. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Splits, Pirouettes And Opera |
205 East Randolph Drive Chicago, IL 60601 United States 312-334-7777 www.harristheaterchicago.org |
If you're looking for more than just drama, visit the Joan W Irving B. Harris Theater, a center for a variety of shows by dance and music companies from the Chicago region. The companies that have performed at the theater are Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago Opera Theater and Hubbard Street Dance Company. This is a great theatre to watch local talents perform. If you're in the city, check it out. Some of the highlights for the coming months are the River North Chicago Dance Company, La Resurrezione, an Opera composed by Handel and the Vermeer Quartet. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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50% off theater tickets |
163 East Pearson, Michigan Avenue WaterWorks Visitor Center Chicago, IL 60611 United States http://www.hottix.org/ |
The League of Chicago Theatres offers this service that sells tickets for many shows around town at half the listed price. You can buy tickets for weekend shows on the Friday before, but just because tickets are not available on Friday does not mean they will not show up on Saturday. Availability of the tickets depends on how many seats the theater has left unsold, so shows and tickets can vary by the hour. You can also buy full price tickets through Ticketmaster. There isn't much of a line usually, but, when there is, it can stretch endlessly, especially during the hot summer months. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Eclectic dance company |
1147 West Jackson Boulevard Chicago, IL 60607 United States +1 312 850 9744 http://www.hubbardstreetdance.... |
This group was founded in 1978 as a progressive dance company. The Hubbard Street is now a training center, as well, boasting over 300 students a year at artistic director Lou Conte's studio. The company is known as one of the best in the country, and performs all over the world. It specializes in a variety of styles, but is best known for jazz dance. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Chicago Drama |
228 South Wabash Avenue, Suite 900 Chicago, IL 60604 United States +1 312 554 9800 http://www.chicagoplays.com |
The League of Chicago Theatres is an alliance of over 140 member theaters that supports and promotes shows in the Chicago area. Extensive and updated information about venues, showtimes, and events is available on their website and in their theater guide. Major members include: About Face Theatre, The Apollo, Cadillac Palace Theater, The Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, Circle Theatre, The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, The Noble Fool Theater, Paramount Theatre, and Steppenwolf Theatre. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Founded by Northwestern University students |
6912 North Glenwood Avenue Chicago, IL 60626 United States +1 773 761 4477 http://www.lifelinetheatre.com/ |
This theater was established by Northwestern University theater students in 1982, and, under the guidance of producing director Meryl Friedman, the theater has thrived. Past productions have included "The Left Hand of Darkness," "Jane Eyre," "Pride and Prejudice" and Daniel Pinkwater's "Lizard Music." Admission is usually between $12-$18, and you are asked to pay what you can for KidSeries shows, which involve the audience in the show. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Go for the thrills |
3435 North Sheffield Avenue Chicago, IL 60657 United States +1 773 281 0824 http://www.linkshall.org/ |
If you are seeking something a little off the beaten path and can catch this place on a night that somebody has decided to throw together a production, drop in and enjoy the spectacle. Past performances have included such troupes as the Baubo Performance Project and the Breakbone Dance Company. The downstairs area of this facility closed in 1997, and now the upstairs studio is the only space left to be rented out by various dance troupes and other performance groups. Admission varies but prices are usually under $10. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Dominican University performance space |
7900 West Division St Chicago, IL 60305 United States +1 708 524 6942 |
This suburban center was added to the University campus more than 20 years ago as a performance and activity space for such events as lectures, concerts, fine arts and a host of other cultural events. Now, regularly staged events include piano recitals, speakers, plays and performances by the Chicago Sinfonietta, attended by students, faculty and nearby residents. The auditorium comfortably seats 1,200 people, and free parking is available. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Independent theater productions |
4139 N Broadway Chicago, IL 60613 United States +1 773 327 7077 |
Housed in an old speakeasy, this theater has been on the scene since 1994. While the company frequently stages its own productions here, it also rents out its stage to other companies. The Prop Theater, Defiant Theater and the Wig Theater have all preformed here. "The Mystery of Irma Vep" and a revival of Stephen Dietz's "Ten November" are just a few of the plays these companies have produced here, while Kafka's "The Trial" was one of the more notable productions by the National Pastime Theater. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Entertainment Inc |
6970 North Glenwood Chicago, IL 60626 United States +1 773 743 3355 http://www.heartlandcafe.com/n... |
'No Exit Cafe' was established in 1958 by two college students of Northwestern University, Bill Harmon and Dick McKernan. This cafe today is the perfect venue for special events, rehearsals, meetings, film shoots and parties. A delightful place with a decor that still reflects the 1960's though modified to suit trends today. Its the oldest cafe in Chicago. An interesting place to go to if you need a caffeine rush right along with a dose of poetry, artists, theater and more. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Northeastern University performance space |
5500 N St Louis Avenue Chicago, IL 60625 United States +1 815 753 1000 http://www.niu.edu/index.html |
This thrust-stage space allows for the comfortable seating of 660 patrons, and is a pleasant place to see performances by the Ruth Page Dance Company, which has been in residence here for more than 10 years, or the Ensemble Espanol, a Spanish dance company performing flamenco, which has been in residence here for more than 20 seasons. Readings by authors are also occasionally hosted here. Free parking is available. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Come see a symphony |
235 South Columbus Drive (Grant Park) Chicago, IL 60601 United States +1 312 742 4763 |
The shell is named after James Petrillo who, as president of the Chicago Federation of Musicians and commissioner of the Chicago Park District, used his leverage to provide free concerts in Grant Park. A popular concert and fireworks display celebrate the eve of Independence Day here, and it is also the main point-of-entry for the various summer music festivals, such as Jazz Fest and Gospel Fest. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Steven Schroeder |
 Photo: Cheryl Honigford |
 Photo: Don 'Duck' Landes |
 Photo: Paul Turner |
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Evanston performance space |
50 Arts Circle Drive Chicago, IL 60208 United States +1 847 467 4000 / +1 847 491 5441 http://www.pickstaiger.org/ |
Truly the pick of the litter in North Shore and Near North suburban performance spaces, outstanding acoustics makes this is a terrific place to hear anything from full-fledged orchestras to guitar or piano soloists. The University's symphony, symphonic wind ensemble, choruses and jazz ensembles all call this hall home. Non-University performers also make stops. There is more than adequate free parking along Arts Circle, available only on performance nights and weekends. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Grace Cheng |
 Photo: Grace Cheng |
 Photo: Rachel Powers |
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Revel at Ravinia |
PO Box 896 Chicago, IL 60035 United States +1 847 266 5100 http://www.ravinia.org/ |
There are three venues that fall under the collective banner of Ravinia. The open air pavilion houses 3,200 people at a time, while the Bennett-Gordon Hall and the Martin Theatre are both indoor venues and seat 850 and 450 people respectively. Pop, dance and symphony performances are held in the open theatre, while concerts, dance recitals, workshops, and chamber music recitals are held indoors. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Stanley Chang |
 Photo: maximbo |
 Photo: Julia Targ |
 Photo: Amy Cesich |
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Off-Loop theater |
1641 North Halsted St Chicago, IL 60614 United States +1 312 988 9000 |
Located in Lincoln Park, this medium-sized theater has perhaps one of the most thoughtful designs in the city. The shows that are put on here are generally accessible to the theater-going public at large, with such productions as the crowd favorite "Forever Plaid," and the wonderful "Angels in America." Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Downtown rocks |
1016, North Dearborn Street Chicago, IL 60610 United States +1 312 337 6543 http://www.ruthpage.org |
Ruth Page Center for The Arts is a wonderful place, that helps promote art but more specifically dance. It's open to people of all age groups. So put on your dancing shoes and get yourself enrolled, have fun and learn some smooth dance moves... Oh and by the way Ruth Page also hosts shows, so you can dazzle the audience with your new found love! Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Escape mediocrity |
1655 West Cortland Avenue Chicago, IL 60622 United States +1 773 384 0494 http://www.trapdoortheatre.com/ |
Under the fury-pitch guidance of the indefatigable Beata Pilch, this theater runs 12 productions a year, with such notables as Edna St. Vincent Millay's play "Aria Da Capo" having made the stage. It can be a bit of a sweathouse in the warmer months, with no air conditioning, and, if you feel feverish, it is probably because of the knack for the experimental rather than your temperature. Review © 2007, Wcities |