Chicago Theater in Novemeber
Chicago Theater in Novemeber
#1Chicago Theater in Novemeber
Posted: 8/19/16 at 12:09pm
Hello to Chcago-BBWers....need some help!
Looks like I'll be in Chicago for Thanksgiving this year (yay!) and I'll have time for four or five shows (depending on Sunday schedule). Seeing Les Troyans at the Lyric Saturday and considering seeing Charles III at the Shakespeare Theater, but otherwise wide open to ideas. Love the storefront scene but have no idea which is better than any other or what is coming (I did LOVE Mr. Burns at the Wit theater). Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Also, any help in obtaining Hamilton tickets for under 300 would be appreciated as well, if that's even possible (would love to see Karen in it) :-p
#2Chicago Theater in Novemeber
Posted: 8/19/16 at 12:32pm
Play Esq. said: "Hello to Chcago-BBWers....need some help!
Looks like I'll be in Chicago for Thanksgiving this year (yay!) and I'll have time for four or five shows (depending on Sunday schedule). Seeing Les Troyans at the Lyric Saturday and considering seeing Charles III at the Shakespeare Theater, but otherwise wide open to ideas. Love the storefront scene but have no idea which is better than any other or what is coming (I did LOVE Mr. Burns at the Wit theater). Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Also, any help in obtaining Hamilton tickets for under 300 would be appreciated as well, if that's even possible (would love to see Karen in it) :-p
"
Regarding Hamilton tickets you can always try the lottery. They will have 40 tickets available. Other than that there aren't a lot of options for prices under 300 dollars.
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
#3Chicago Theater in Novemeber
Posted: 8/19/16 at 2:08pm
Thank you CMJ:
While Hamilton would be fun in Chicago, I will probably use my time for shows unique to Chicago. Any thoughts?
#4Chicago Theater in Novemeber
Posted: 8/19/16 at 5:07pm
Not sure what specially is playing at that time, but the Theater Wit and Stage 773 generally have amazing shows going on.
#5Chicago Theater in Novemeber
Posted: 8/19/16 at 8:52pm
Porchlight will be doing End of the Rainbow, which is a jukebox musical about Judy Garland.
http://porchlightmusictheatre.org/end-of-the-rainbow/
And while some may say it's not "traditional" theatre. I would recommend going to a Second City show. It's where many comedy greats got their start.
#6Chicago Theater in Novemeber
Posted: 8/19/16 at 11:32pm
When it gets closer check today tix they have a lot
#7Chicago Theater in Novemeber
Posted: 8/19/16 at 11:35pm
I would also check goldstar for cheap options that you might want to look at.
Depending on when exactly you'll be here in November, fun home will be here.
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
AwesomeDanny
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/30/09
#8Chicago Theater in Novemeber
Posted: 8/20/16 at 4:57am
You didn't say when precisely in November you'll be here, but the following shows are running at some very dependable storefronts in that month:
The Last Wife (Timeline)
Fly By Night (Theo Ubique)
The Trump Card (Theatre Wit)
End of the Rainbow (Porchlight)
Pirandello's Henry IV (Remy Bumppo)
Pygmalion (Remy Bumppo)
The Room (A Red Orchid)
Some of these shows are closing early in the month, but when reviews come out, some will announce week-long extensions. At some of the larger theaters, I would check out Visiting Edna at Steppenwolf, King Charles III at Chicago Shakespeare, and East Texas Hot Links at Writers Theatre (in the northern suburb of Glencoe, but easily accessible by the Metra North Line). I hope this gives you a good place to jump off of--I can't offer any specific opinions as none of these shows have started performances yet, but all of these are generally dependable companies which I frequent.
#9Chicago Theater in Novemeber
Posted: 8/20/16 at 12:26pm
Thank you so much AD: I utilized some of your suggestions my last trip to Chicago and they were fantastic! Please report back with what you've seen and recommend closer to the date (I'll be there thanksgiving weekend)! Really appreciate it!
ChiTheaterFan
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/15
#10Chicago Theater in Novemeber
Posted: 8/21/16 at 9:11pm
http://www.theatreinchicago.com has a great summary of reviews and will tell you the bottom line if each review is classified as highly recommended, recommended, somewhat recommended, or not recommended. I find it a good way to narrow things down.
#11Chicago Theater in Novemeber
Posted: 11/14/16 at 11:07am
Hi! In Chicago next week and bumping this for any last minute recommendations for shows that recently opened or are in previews. Thanks in advance for any recommendations!
#12Chicago Theater in Novemeber
Posted: 11/14/16 at 11:22am
The Fundamentals, a commissioned world premiere by Erika Sheffer (Russian Transport), just began previews at Steppenwolf. If you're an opera lover -- and I imagine you are, if you're seeing Troyens -- you might also want to catch the rarely produced (and very well-cast) Massenet Don Quichotte that Lyric is also presenting.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
#13Chicago Theater in Novemeber
Posted: 11/14/16 at 11:26am
Thank you, AC126748! Have you seen The Fundamentals yet? Love Steppenwolf, so would certainly go if early word is good.
Going to pass on DQ though...never been a fan of Massenet, try as I might.
#14Chicago Theater in Novemeber
Posted: 11/14/16 at 11:30am
I've not seen Fundamentals yet. It's on my list for when I'm in Chicago at the end of the month. Whenever I'm in town and Steppenwolf has a show up, I usually just see it; their level of quality is fairly high. I'm also seeing both operas and Hamilton on the same trip -- it'll be an epic long weekend.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
#15Chicago Theater in Novemeber
Posted: 11/14/16 at 11:33am
I too am seeing Hamilton...lucked out with some last minute tickets! Also seeking King Charles III and very much looking forward to seeing a new production of such a remarkable play!
#16Chicago Theater in Novemeber
Posted: 11/14/16 at 11:35am
Let us know what you think of King Charles. I loved the Broadway production, but didn't feel the need to see it again so soon, unless this production is really spectacular. I still have one open slot for my trip.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
#17Chicago Theater in Novemeber
Posted: 11/14/16 at 12:23pm
Will do! And if anyone has seen anything amazing over the past few weeks and still playing in Chicago, please report back!
#18Chicago Theater in Novemeber
Posted: 11/14/16 at 2:51pm
I saw Charles III a week ago, and wasn't particularly impressed by the play or several performances (and I say that as someone who has subscribed to Chicago Shakes for years). Not sure if it was having spent the day binging on The Crown prior (which I loved, despite not being someone who particularly cares about the royal family), but I couldn't suspend my disbelief enough to get into the play. I suspect, as was mentioned in a recent article from The Chicago Tribune's Chris Jones, I might enjoy the play itself a tad more following the election.
I suspect I will be in the minority with not caring for the play/production, but I do hope you enjoy your time here!
#19Chicago Theater in Novemeber
Posted: 11/14/16 at 3:16pm
I thought King Charles was quite lovely. Both the play and the production. I didn't see the production on Broadway but I have a feeling it might have popped a bit more than what's at Chicago Shakes... but it's very satisfying.
The End of the Rainbow is not a particularly good play but there's a truly spectacular performance in the production playing at Stage 773. Unbelievably extraordinary.
Unfortunately, Writers Theater requires a short train trip on the Metra... but their production of East Texas Hot Links is funny, suspenseful, deeply moving and very timely.
I'm not sure you'd be able to get tickets but Learning Curve @The Albany Park Theater Project is one of the best things I've seen in a really long time. The actors/writers for The Albany Park Theater Project are all high school students that come from one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the country. They conduct interviews and create theater pieces with the help of adult theater artists. This is an immersive experience that takes place during the course of a day in the life of a Chicago Public School student. The acting varies wildly but the production is top notch on all levels. http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/reviews/ct-ent-0802-learning-curve-review-20160802-column.html
The Nutcracker@The House Theatre returns every year and is a truly delightful family entertainment. It's aimed somewhat at children... but it also has a lot to offer adults. I love it and we see it every year. It's very affordable and it's near one of the trendiest neighborhoods in the city. Go to dinner before somewhere hip!
The Magic Play@The Goodman is a really terrific magic show that's interrupted by a somewhat interesting play. It's definitely worth the price of admission and it's centrally located. I'd give it a try if the others don't sound appealing for whatever reason.
Jesus saves. I spend.
#20Chicago Theater in Novemeber
Posted: 11/14/16 at 3:28pm
Check out About Face's production of I AM MY OWN WIFE. It's an expanded production to feature four actors instead of one. And I believe Porchlight's excellent production of IN THE HEIGHTS will be going on during that time too because it got extended yet again.
#21Chicago Theater in Novemeber
Posted: 11/14/16 at 3:31pm
I thought I Am My Own Wife was pretty blah. Certainly not worth the time if you saw the original production. Maybe worth it if you're interested in the material.
In the Heights is an excellent, exciting, mostly non-equity production.
Jesus saves. I spend.
Updated On: 11/14/16 at 03:31 PM
BakerWilliams
Leading Actor Joined: 2/1/16
#22Chicago Theater in Novemeber
Posted: 11/14/16 at 8:23pm
I traveled down to Chicago for the express purpose of seeing First Lady Suite and I thought it was worth the trip (though I also saw the excellent but currently mostly sold-out East Texas Hot Links).
The show is staged in a minuscule 31-seat theatre, but features a killer ensemble of actresses who perform LaChiusa's complex score with seeming ease. The tiny space allows for some very interesting staging choices, but I thought they all worked. The two piano players are good enough to compensate for the lack of orchestra.
They also cut "Olio" from the show, which reduces it to a very nice 85 minutes with no intermission.
You can take the red line to Morse and it's just a 5 minute walk.
indytallguy
Broadway Star Joined: 7/13/08
#23Chicago Theater in Novemeber
Posted: 11/14/16 at 8:30pmI saw King Charles last week and enjoyed the production, but Kate, Will and Camilla all were a bit underwhelming compared to the NYC cast. The plot lines with Harry's girlfriend also seemed quite implausible here and I don't recall feeling that way in NYC. B+ overall. Several dates on Goldstar.
