Theater in Chicago - Page 3

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 3/8/15 at 9:16pm

Last time I was in Chicago in 2009, I went to see a production of "La Cage Aux Folles" at the Theatre Building...I think that's what it was called. I think it was north of Halsted. Oh, I found it. It has a new name. I personally preferred Theatre Building Chicago.


TBC

Updated On: 3/8/15 at 09:16 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/8/15 at 9:46pm

773 is the better version of The Theater Building and Theatre Wit was the old Bailiwick. Wit basically just got a new lick o' paint, but 773 has improved greatly. Saw Mr. Burns and really didn't care for it other than the nifty costumes and overall design. The show itself is relentlessly long and the third act was excruciating. I'm going to skip First Wives Club, but plan to catch Marie Antoinette soon.

[jbm2]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 12:06am

I know it hasn't opened yet- but any buzz around End Days? Wondering if it's worth seeing while I'm in town, or if I should see something else?

[starrcatcher]

Posted: 4/8/15 at 1:03pm

Bumping this to ask opinions on what to see while I'm in Chicago this weekend.

I already have tickets to Carousel (cannot wait!) Wondering if anyone has seen The Herd, Upstairs Concierge, and/or Two Trains Running? What would Chicagoans recommend as "must see theatre?" 

[xxdrewboy85xx]

Posted: 4/8/15 at 5:52pm

"Bumping this to ask opinions on what to see while I'm in Chicago this weekend.
I already have tickets to Carousel (cannot wait!) Wondering if anyone has seen The Herd, Upstairs Concierge, and/or Two Trains Running? What would Chicagoans recommend as "must see theatre?""

 

Ive heard nothing but great things about Mr. Burns at Theater Wit, that closes this weekend. I would have highly reccomended Four with Jackalope and The Mikado with The Hypocrites but both those closed last week. For some reason I thought they closed this week. 

 

 

If you've never seen it, I highly recommend Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind with The Neo Fururists.

 

Id recommend Kimberly Seniors Production of The Diary of Anne Frank with Writers Theater. Also, The Apple Family plays at Timeline. 

 

I haven't seen it yet, but people keep raving about The Full Monty, also at Theater Wit. 

 

The Royal Society of Antarctica with The Gift Theater got great reviews. 

 

I absolutely loved Two Trains Running at The Goodman. 

 

Hope that helps! Enjoy! This town always has such great theater playing. :) 

 

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 4/8/15 at 8:55pm

According to the reviews and a couple opinions I've heard, The Upstairs Concierge is not worth your time. My favorite plays currently running in Chicago are Griffin Theatre's Balm in Gilead playing at The Den Theatre in Wicker Park, Theater Wit's Mr. Burns, Writers' Theatre's Diary of Anne Frank, and The House's The Hammer Trinity. All were wonderful productions I would happily see again.

[mpd4165]

Posted: 4/8/15 at 11:29pm

I saw Upstairs Concierge's last preview and it was...rough to say the least. I did just return from Title and Deed at Lookingglass and was enthralled by Michael Patrick Thornton's performance, truly wonderful. I thought The Fully Monty was actually a lot of fun, barring some odd staging choices, and I'm hoping to see Mr. Burns before it closes Sunday.

[jbm2]

Posted: 4/18/15 at 12:33am

Heading to Chicago over Mothers Day weekend (May 9) have tickets to The Herd- what are the other must see shows playing then?

[jon5202]

Posted: 4/18/15 at 5:17am

Here is a list of 89 shows playing in the Chicago area on May 9 via TheatreinChicago.com :

http://www.theatreinchicago.com/searchresults.php?txtDate=2015-05-09&txtTitle=&txtGenre=&txtArea=&txtDateF=null&txtDateT=null&QFdate=1&go.x=15&go.y=15

I would recommend the following based on the theatre company/production:

Book of Mormon (national tour) - Bank of America

First Date - Royal George

Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum- Porchlight

Inana - Timeline

Little Foxes - Goodman

Louis and Keeley - Royal George

Martyr - Steep

The Project(s) - American Theatre Company

Red Handed Otter - Red Orchid

Ring of Fire - Mercury

Royal Society - Gift Theatre

Sense and Sensibility - Chicago Shakespeare

Shining Lives - Northlight

Side Man - American Blues Theatre

The Herd - Steppenwolf

Three Sisters - Hypocrites

White Road - Irish Theatre of Chicago

 

Except for Northlight all theatres are located downtown or on the northside of the city.

First Date, Red Handed Otter, Martyr, Louis and Keeley, Royal Society and The Herd have been favorably reviewed.

Funny Thing, Sense and Sensibility and Three Sisters are currently in previews

Check for upcoming reviews of other shows.

Check Goldstar.com; Hottix.org; and Groupon.com for discounts

PS - The Herd was great fun led by a great Steppenwolf ensemble cast including John Mahoney and Lois Smith.  You will enjoy that production.  See reviews at listing posted above.

PS2 - Sense and Sensibility is a pleasant production with good musical actors and singing.  Not a particularly memorable evening but an enjoyable one.  Plus CST is always a pleasure to attend. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updated On: 4/24/15 at 05:17 AM

[jbm2]

Posted: 4/23/15 at 1:44am

So much to a see....

thank you!

 

thinking about Sense and Sensbility and A Funny Thing Happened.....

[jbm2]

Posted: 4/23/15 at 1:48am

Any word on Bad Jews at Theatre Wit?

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 4/24/15 at 1:58am

Bad Jews doesn't start until tomorrow night. If you're asking for "must-see shows" you won't get a lot of consensus, just as all of the "what should I see for my trip to New York" threads spiral into thousands of suggestions. Look at reviews (The Chicago Tribune is my preferred site, though Chicago Reader and the Sun Times both have thorough coverage) and look at what sparks your interest. There's always so much quality work going on I'm sure you'll see stuff you really like (and at rather affordable prices). 

As for what will still be running when you're there, in addition to The Herd, I would point you toward Diary of Anne Frank at Writers' Theatre, and their production of Doubt will also be running, which I expect to be equally spectacular. Even if you're tired of Anne Frank, you probably haven't seen a production as intimate and immediate as this one. I enjoyed Jesus Christ Superstar at Theo Unique and Carousel at the Lyric, but wouldn't put them in the "must-see" category. I am very much looking forward to the Goodman's Little Foxes (it's got a really killer cast) and Piven Theater's Melancholy Play.

I also just saw the latest Second City revue, Panic on Cloud 9, which was good fun. If you've never been to the Second City, you really can't go wrong, it's a guaranteed fun night out.

[jbm2]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 4:48pm

Going on be asking no a teenager to see The Herd- how appropriate is it?

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 4/27/15 at 5:16pm

There's a lot of F's... and even one or two See You Next Tuesdays... but nothing beyond bad words. No nudity, nothing very suggestive, no violence. 

And I thought it was just wonderful. 

[jbm2]

Posted: 5/4/15 at 2:48am

Has anyone seen "The Little Foxes" at the Goodman yet? 

Curious to see what people think....

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 5/4/15 at 10:02am

I saw “Bad Jews” in a preview performance this past weekend. I had previously read the play, but never seen it performed. I thought it was extremely well done with some great actors. I had a great time – lots of hilarious moments as well as a lot of potent emotions onstage as well. I can only imagine it will get tighter and tighter throughout its run, but I thought they were in great shape at Friday's performance.

Also saw “The Herd” recently and very, very much enjoyed it. A solid show with incredible acting. It felt simple to me in the best way possible. Certainly complicated issues that were being dealt with, but the script was a clean, simple look at a few hours in a family’s life (if this makes sense), which I really loved. And, I think it's perfectly fine for a teenager.

I definitely recommend both shows!

[jbm2]

Posted: 5/6/15 at 8:46pm

I'm in Chicago this weekends..

which 3 shows should I see?

[mpd4165]

Posted: 5/6/15 at 10:09pm

Based on how reviews have gone, I'd recommend The Hypocrites' Three Sisters, The Project(s) at American Theater Company, and I'm hearing good things about Bad Jews at Theatre Wit. 

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 5/11/15 at 2:33pm

I saw Drury Lane’s production of “Billy Elliot” last week and thought it was fantastic. I find Drury Lane to be hit or miss, but “Billy Elliot” was by far the best production I’ve seen there. The caliber of talent on the stage is huge and the direction is thoughtful and smooth. The direction and choreography are close to their Broadway counterparts, but have their own unique moments, which I actually thought occasionally worked much better than the Broadway production (which I loved). It’s a very heartfelt and genuine production. If you can get out there to see it, I highly, highly suggest it.

[jbm2]

Posted: 5/12/15 at 6:48pm

I just saw "The Projects" and it was incredible. Great acting. It's a piece of theater unlike anything I have seen. 

 

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 5/12/15 at 9:34pm

I'm curious about the term "off-loop".  Is anyone familiar with the history of this term ?   And if there is an off-loop theater scene, what is considered the "loop" or on-loop" theater scene?   Is off loop a new way to say "storefront"?   I take it that it's not a union term since most theaters are not Equity anyway.  I wonder if there are any set rules about what theaters are off and on loop.   Any insight ? 

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 5/13/15 at 1:04am

It's a silly term that doesn't make any sense, since not very many theaters in Chicago are in the Loop. Only the major Broadway in Chicago houses and The Goodman are really in the Loop (and I guess Silk Road Rising). This would leave out Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakes, Lookingglass, Victory Gardens, Writers, The Court, and Northlight. All major Equity houses. I think it's meant to emulate "off-broadway" and the few times I've heard it used seriously, it's been used interchangeably with "Storefront theater."  It is not in any official capacity by anyone. The Jeffs are divided into Equity and Non-Equity awards, and don't use "storefront" or "off-loop."  

I suppose many storefront theaters have outgrown their storefronts, and are now housed in proper theaters and several storefront theaters have taken on Equity performers. Perhaps a new term IS necessary... but "off-loop" is not it. 

I hope that makes sense. 

[jon5202]

Posted: 5/13/15 at 1:27am

OK.  The term "off-Loop" Chicago theatre is a result of the late 1960s-1970s growth in neighborhood theatres either in small theatre spaces or storefronts throughout the city though generally on the north side.  This was in deference to the downtown or "the Loop" theatres that went back generations and usually presented Broadway tours or Chicago generated shows (eg, Goodman Theatre).  I think off-Loop vs Loop was also a way of referencing off-Broadway vs Broadway terminology (ie, non-commercial shows vs commercial).  Today the off-Loop theatre scene incorporates over 200 companies and over 100 venues while the Loop theatre scene is primarily run by Broadway in Chicago and The Goodman Theatre which have a total of seven theatres to present in. 

To my knowledge, house size or type of actors contracts does not differentiate off-Loop from Loop but most likely the majority of off-Loop theatres are under 200 seats and are non-equity.  One could argue that an off-Loop theatre must be in a storefront location though I would disagree.   Steppenwolf and Victory Gardens which are larger equity houses would probably be termed off-Loop because they are located north of the Loop.   Lookingglass and Chicago Shakes which are larger equity houses would probably be considered Loop houses because they are downtown though not in the Loop proper.  Note:  The Loop is traditionally known as the 20 blocks (or so) in the center financial and retail district south of the Chicago River and west of Michigan Avenue

This press release from the League of Chicago Theatres might help: 

http://www.chicagoplays.com/images/mediapage/about-chicago-theatre.pdf

 

Also, this 45 minute documentary (if you have the time) made in 2004 may help explain the growth of off-Loop/neighborhood theatre in Chicago: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BkL3qvlwTk

 

There is even a Chicago Fringe Festival (ie, off-off-Loop) which accommodates other artists:

http://www.chicagofringe.org/about.php

Hope this helps.

 

 

Updated On: 5/13/15 at 01:27 AM

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 6/14/15 at 7:20pm

I know this is an old thread but I just saw the last performance of the Herd at Steppenwolf and I felt compelled to post about it.  What a powerful show. Something about it just really moved me and made me connect with all the characters. If this is show ever gets picked up for a New York run (or  otherwise produced wherever you may be) I highly recommend it.  Of course, the outstanding Steppenwolf cast certainly made much of the performance for me. This is the first time I've seen John Mahoney and he was magnificent, although it was Audrey Francis who resonated with me the most. 

 

I saw Bad Jews at the Wit last night and liked it but didn't love it. I'm glad I saw it before it closed in Chicago and didn't make the trip to Skokie. 

 

Glad to see the comment above about the Project(s)   It was on my maybe list but I think I'm going to try to catch it before it closes. 

[jbm2]

Posted: 4/26/16 at 11:43pm

Heading back to Chicago the first week of June- what should I see?

Other than Spongebob?