Chicago Theatre Week Smashes Records in Fifth Year

Chicago Theatre Week, an annual celebration of the rich tradition of theatre-going in Chicago, reached record audiences during the fifth year of the program.

Over the span of Chicago Theatre Week, February 9 - 19, 2017, 115 participating organizations sold over 11,750 total tickets to 128 productions. Chicago Theatre Week is presented by the League of Chicago Theatres in partnership with Choose Chicago.

During the fifth annual Chicago Theatre Week, visitors and residents had the opportunity to sample the extraordinary range of theatrical offerings throughout Chicagoland, including intimate dramas, classic comedies, large and small-scale musicals, dance, music, opera, and more. Over the course of one week and two full weekends, 115 participating organizations offered value-priced tickets to 635 individual performances. A total of 11,750 tickets were sold in 2017, marking a rapid increase in sales over the course of the initiative. By comparison 10,500 tickets were sold in 2016; 9,600 in 2015; and 7,900 in 2014.

Chicago Theatre Week continued to bring in new audiences to area theaters with an average of 65% of the Theatre Week attendees visiting their chosen theater for the first time. The program proved to be a draw for visitors from outside Chicago with 13% of patrons coming from beyond 50 miles of the city, including 36 states.

Deb Clapp, Executive Director of the League of Chicago Theatres commented, "Chicago Theatre Week was once again a tremendous success. Every year visitors and residents are reminded that throughout Chicagoland world class theatre is being produced every night. We are thrilled that this year 65% of audiences tried a new theatre and hope the spirit of discovery continues."

"Chicago's theater scene has been described as one of the seven wonders of the city, and with good reason," said David Whitaker, President and CEO of Choose Chicago. "For the past five years, Chicago Theatre Week has brought theater patrons from all over the world closer to the artists who've made Chicago's theater scene what it is and a key reason why Chicago remains one of the world's leading destinations."

The League of Chicago Theatres' 2017 Chicago Theatre Week was sponsored by Choose Chicago and the lead hotel sponsor was Sheraton Grand Chicago. Other 2017 partners included ABC 7 Chicago, Chicago Magazine, dana hotel and spa, Time Out Chicago, W Chicago City Center, and WDCB.

Chicago theatre is a leader in the U.S. with more than 250 theatres throughout Chicagoland, comprising a rich and varied community ranging from storefront, non-union theaters to the most renowned resident theatres in the country, including 5 that have been honored with Regional Tony Awards, and the largest touring Broadway organization in the nation. Chicago's theatres serve 5 million audience members annually and have a combined budget of more than $250 million. Chicago produces and/or presents more world premieres annually than any other city in the nation. In the 2014-2015 season, Chicago theatre companies produced more than 100 world premiere productions and adaptations. Each year, Chicago theatres send new work to resident theatres across the country, to Broadway, and around the world.

The League of Chicago Theatres is an alliance of theatres which leverages its collective strength to promote, support, and advocate for Chicago's theatre industry locally, nationally, and internationally. The League of Chicago Theatres Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the art of theatre in the Chicago area through audience development and support services for theatres and theatre professionals.

For a comprehensive list of ChicaGo Productions, visit the League of Chicago Theatres website, www.chicagoplays.com. Half-price tickets are available year-round at www.hottix.org. Additional information about Chicago Theatre Week is available at www.chicagotheatreweek.com.

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