Chicago is home to a vital, vast and varied community of theatrical companies, as well as several large independent theaters, where you'll find everything from traveling Broadway megahits, experimental theatre and famous improvisational groups that display the wit and humor of the Second City.
Record-breaking musicals like Wicked and Jersey Boys make a visit to Chicago unforgettable. Historic venues such as the Cadillac Palace Theatre, Ford Center for the Performing Arts/Oriental Theatre, the Bank of America Theatre and the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University underscore the longevity of Chicago as a center for theatre. Historically celebrated theater companies such as The Goodman Theater, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Shakespeare Theater, Lookingglass Theatre and The Second City are world renowned for their exciting productions. Or, if you are feeling adventurous, explore Chicago's neighborhoods for theatre created by hundreds of other talented, engaging and risk-taking companies.
Chicago has been selling out Broadway style show for years now, providing the start for many shows before they hit the stage in New York. Time magazine stated, "If every musical had the brain, the heart and the courage of Wicked, Broadway would be a more magical place.” You won't want to miss Wicked at the Ford Center for Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre. Long before Dorothy drops in, two girls meet in the Land of Oz. How these two unlikely friends end up as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch makes for the most spellbinding new musical in years.
You also don't want to miss Jersey Boys! Tickets (on sale through July 13, 2008 at the Bank of AmericaTheatre) for this popular Broadway show may be hard to come by, so make sure you get them before they sell out. Winner of the 2006 Tony Award for best musical about Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi, this is the story of how four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop music history. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide - all before they were 30 years old!
The Steppenwolf Theatre Company has redefined the landscape of acting and performance by a generation of America's most gifted artists. Located in the popular Lincoln Park neighborhood, Steppenwolf features an internationally renowned company of thirty-five ensemble artists whose talents include acting, directing, playwriting, filmmaking, and textual adaptation. Now in its third decade as a professional theater company, Steppenwolf's 2007-2008 season features five American stories that explore and celebrate our national experience.
The Goodman Theatre, located off Randolph Street in the Loop, has been a part of life in Chicago for more than 80 years. Committed to producing both classic and contemporary works, giving full voice to a wide range of artists and visions, the Goodman presents the work of an extraordinary group of local, national and international artists.
The Second City comedy is always a visitor favorite! The Best of the Second City performance features stars of tomorrow performing hilarious work originally written by some of the greatest comedic minds of the 20th century. The Best of the Second City showcases scenes and songs created by alumni such as Bill Murray, Mike Myers, Tina Fey, Steve Carell, and Stephen Colbert. In addition, longstanding Chicago favorite ComedySportz provides nightly laugh-out-loud hilarity with creative comedy skits from top-notch comediennes.
Blue Man Group is best known for its wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts which combine music, comedy and multimedia theatrics to produce a totally unique form of entertainment. The blissful party atmosphere created at these live events has become the trademark of a Blue Man Group experience.
You are cordially invited to attend Tony and Tina's Wedding! This dinner-theater experience combines great Italian food with a traditional Italian wedding reception with quirky guests and a hilarious bridal party.
Relive the roaring 20's with a Chicago dinner-theater favorite Tommy Gun's Garage featuring flappers, gangsters and classic tunes from Cole Porter, George Gershwin and Duke Ellington.