Chicago, IL

Pritzker Pavilion
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 2004 as the flagship of Millennium Park, this music pavilion is the new home of the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and the Grant Park Music Festival, the nation's only remaining free outdoor classical music series; it is also home to Chicago Jazz Festival; given that there are historic and legal limitations on the height of buildings in Grant Park, the city classifies the bandshell as a work of art rather than a building; it features an overhead trellis sound system that replicates an indoor concert hall sound and is warmly saluted by critics
ADDRESS: 201 East Randolph Street  MAP
PARKING: Millennium Park Garage, Grant Park North, Grant Park South and East Monroe Garages
TRANSIT: Millennium Metra Station
WEBSITE: http://explorechicago.org

Harris Theater for Music and Dance

DESCRIPTION: Opened in 2003, this 1,525-seat theater for the performing arts is largely underground due to height restrictions in Millennium Park and positioned behind Pritzker Pavilion; regularly featured local groups at the Harris are Joffrey Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Muntu Dance Theater and Chicago Opera Theater; it has hosted notable national and international performers such as the New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Stephen Sondheim

BOX OFFICE: purchase online

ADDRESS: 205 East Randolph Drive  MAP

PARKING: Millennium Park Garage, Grant Park North, Grant Park South and East Monroe Garages
TRANSIT: Millennium Metra Station

PHONE: 312-334-7777

WEBSITE: http://www.harristheaterchicago.org

Goodman Theatre
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1925 as a tribute to Chicago playwright Kenneth Sawyer Goodman; the exciting but hard to categorize collection of plays is to be expected since the theatre is a kind of laboratory home to the Goodman Artistic Collective, a diverse group of some of the most exciting directors, actors, writers and designers of our age; prior to November 2000, the Goodman was housed in the Art Institute of Chicago; since then it relocated to a state-of-the-art, two-theatre complex in the Loop Theatre District; Goodman is also home to a nationally recognized Education and Community Program introduce children to live theatre
BOX OFFICE: Mon-Fri 10a-5p, Sat-Sun Noon-5p; at 10a daily, all remaining mezzanine tickets for the current day's performances are half-price
ADDRESS: 170 North Dearborn Street  MAP
PARKING: Government Center Self Park adjacent to theatre; get your parking ticket validated for a discount on the show day
TRANSIT: Clark-Lake CTA Subway & Elevated Stations
PHONE: 312-443-3800
WEBSITE: http://www.goodman-theatre.org

Chicago Theatre
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 1921 to present the best in live and film entertainment, including Duke Ellington; the six-story Chicago marquee adorning this 3,600-seat theatre was redecorated for the 1933 Chicago World's Fair and includes an original Mighty Wurlitzer Organ; in the 1970s, Chicago Theatre was the victim of a complex web of factors causing it to close in 1985; but public-private efforts to restore it in earnest to save this ornate structure -- it reopened in all its grand beauty one year later; since then Aretha Franklin, Johnny Mathis, Al Jarreau, Patti LaBelle, Barry White, Prince, The Isley Brothers, and Jill Scott have performed here along with special movies; call for tour dates and more info
BOX OFFICE: Mon-Fri Noon-6p and 2 hours prior to show time
ADDRESS: 175 North State Street  MAP
PARKING: Randolph Wabash Self-Park on Randolph is closest
TRANSIT: Lake CTA Subway Station, State-Lake CTA Elevated Station, Randolph-Michigan Metra Station
PHONE: 312-462-6300
WEBSITE: http://www.thechicagotheatre.com

Oriental Theatre / Ford Center for the Performing Arts
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 1926 as a first-run movie palace, complemented with sporadic stage shows, the 2,200-seat auditorium has a dream-like décor; The Three Stooges, Cab Calloway, and Duke Ellington have all played here; the theatre continued to feature films until the 1970s, when it presented concerts by Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight & The Pips and many others before its demise; it closed in 1981 and was nearly torn down, but a public-private venture restored it to its renamed it Ford Center for the Performing Arts in 1997 and fully  restoration it in 1998, to premiere the play Ragtime; continues today as a dynamic pre-Broadway venue
BOX OFFICE: hours vary, but you can get tickets here, Bank of America Theatre, Cadillac Palace Theatre, Auditorium Theatre and Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place
ADDRESS: 24 West Randolph Street  MAP
PARKING: InterPark at 20 East Randolph, discount parking with ticket stub
TRANSIT: Lake CTA Subway Station, State-Lake CTA Elevated Station & Randolph-Michigan Metra Station
PHONE:  312-782-2004 or box office 312-977-1700
WEBSITE: http://www.broadwayinchicago.com

Cadillac Palace Theatre
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 1926 with a richly appointed interior with 2,500 seats was inspired by the palaces of Fontainebleau and Versailles; as a one-time vaudeville house, Jimmy Durante, Mae West, Jack Benny, and Bob Hope sharpened their skills here; in 1931, the theatre was converted into a movie palace; in the 1950s, it would occasionally book Broadway shows; in the 1970s, the auditorium was converted into a banquet hall; in 1984, the theatre, now renamed the Bismarck Theatre, was converted into a rock music venue; it was completely restored in 1999, and renamed the Cadillac Palace; reopened  with the premiere of Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida. Since then, the Cadillac palace has been the home to several pre-Broadway hits including The Producers, Mamma Mia! and The Lion King
BOX OFFICE: hours vary, but you can get tickets here, Bank of America Theatre, Oriental Theatre, Auditorium Theatre and Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place
ADDRESS: 151 West Randolph Street  MAP
PARKING: InterPark at Lake & Wells, discount parking with ticket stub
TRANSIT: Lake CTA Subway Station, State-Lake CTA Elevated Station
PHONE: 312-902-1400
WEBSITE: http://www.broadwayinchicago.com

Bank of America Theatre
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 1906 as the Majestic Theatre, it was the first venue in Chicago to cost over $1 million and ran vaudeville acts continuously every day except Sunday; in 1932, during the Great Depression, the Majestic closed and remained empty for 15 years; in 1945, the theatre was purchased, restored and reopened as the Shubert Theatre; the stage became home to an stunning array of classic plays, including A Chorus Line; in 1991, Nederlander Organization purchased the building and continued to host a wide array of quality theatrical productions, including the Chicago premiere of "Rent” and is known as a pre-Broadway venue
BOX OFFICE: hours vary, but you can get tickets here, Cadillac Palace Theatre, Oriental Theatre, Auditorium Theatre and Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place
ADDRESS: 18 West Monroe Street  MAP
PARKING: InterPark at 55 East Monroe Street, discount parking with ticket stub
TRANSIT: Monroe-Red CTA Station and Monroe-Blue CTA Station
PHONE: 312-902-1400
WEBSITE: http://www.broadwayinchicago.com

Auditorium Theatre
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 1889 by famous architects Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler, the Auditorium's architectural ingenuity, perfect acoustics, technical versatility and sightlines became internationally revered; first multi-purpose building incorporating a hotel, offices and retail spaces along with the theatre; hundreds of Sullivan’s intricate stencil patterns and bas-relief designs pepper the floor and wall mosaics, while 24-karat gold-leafed ceiling arches and exquisite murals provide plenty of eye-candy; hosts ballet and operatic performances; managed by Roosevelt University
BOX OFFICE: hours vary, but you can get tickets here, Cadillac Palace Theatre, Oriental Theatre, Bank of America Theatre and Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place
ADDRESS: 50 East Congress Parkway  MAP
PARKING: garages are nearby
TRANSIT: Library CTA Station and Van Buren Metra Station
PHONE: 312-922-2110
WEBSITE: http://www.auditoriumtheatre.org

Civic Opera House
DESCRIPTION: Built in 1929, a hybrid of Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles restored to its original splendor; boasting excellent sight lines and acoustics, it is home to the renowned Lyric Opera of Chicago, concerts, Broadway shows and social gatherings; the Lyric Opera has performed Carmen many times
BOX OFFICE: Madison & Wacker Drive, Noon-6p
ADDRESS: 20 North Wacker Drive  MAP
PARKING: $17 valet parking at 5p on performance evenings; for Saturday/Sunday matinees valet available at Noon; plenty of garages are nearby
TRANSIT: Washington-Wells CTA Station and Oglive Transportation Metra Center
PHONE: 312-419-0033 or charge tickets by phone at 312-332-2244
WEBSITE: http://www.lyricopera.org

Symphony Center
DESCRIPTION: Designed by Chicago architect Daniel H. Burnham and completed in 1904, it is known as one of the world’s great Orchestra Halls with excellent acoustics; it is also home to the world-famous, 58 Grammy® Award-winning, Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Rhapsody Restaurant rounds out the offerings
BOX OFFICE: Mon-Sat 10a-6p, Sun 11a-4p
ADDRESS: 220 South Michigan Ave  MAP
PARKING: $15 valet parking available via Rhapsody Restaurant; plenty of garages are nearby
TRANSIT: Adams-Wabash CTA Station
PHONE: 312-294-3000
WEBSITE: http://www.cso.org

Drury Lane Theatre at Water Tower Place
DESCRIPTION: Newly built and ready to welcome you, this spectacular state- of-the-art theatre features an intimate 549-seat auditorium and spacious lobby to host smaller Broadway plays; its with Lettuce Entertain You partnership, offers exciting dining and theatre packages at Mity Nice Grill, just steps from the theatre
BOX OFFICE: hours vary, but you can get tickets here, Cadillac Palace Theatre, Oriental Theatre, Bank of America Theatre and Auditorium Theatre
ADDRESS: 175 East Chestnut Street  MAP
PARKING: Water Tower Place Parking, pick up discount pass from an usher
TRANSIT: Chicago Ave-Red CTA Station, walk 3 blocks east, left on Michigan Ave and 2 blocks north
PHONE: 312-642-2000
WEBSITE: http://www.drurylanewatertower.com

Chicago Shakespeare Theatre
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1986 as the Shakespeare Repertory Theatre, the company changed name when it moved to its roomier Navy Pier venue in 1999; the 525-seat jewel of a theatre features a trust stage into a courtyard setting to fully engage the audience; includes a pub, small library and viewing area of the Chicago skyline; its hard to imagine a more profound indoor setting for Shakespearean plays
BOX OFFICE: Mon–Sat 11a–5p, Sun 12p–4p
ADDRESS: 800 East Grand Ave  MAP
PARKING: enclosed on-Navy Pier parking available
TRANSIT: free trolley buses operate between Navy Pier and State Street
PHONE: 312-595-5600
WEBSITE: http://www.chicagoshakes.com

Steppenwolf Theatre Company
DESCRIPTION: Suzan-Lori Parks' Pulitzer Prize winning play, Topdog/Underdog opened the fall 2003 season; this esteemed performing arts institution is committed to artistically risky ensemble collaborations and through its work with it a permanent ensemble, guest artists, partner institutions and the community; Steppenwolf has redefined the landscape of acting and performance since its founding in 1976 as an ensemble of nine actors; grown into a renowned company of thirty-five artists whose talents include acting, directing, playwriting and filmmaking
BOX OFFICE: 11a-5p Mon-Sat & 1p-5p Sun and open until 7p on days with evening performance
ADDRESS: 1650 North Halsted Street  MAP
PARKING: garage just south of the theater for $9.00 or $11.00 if stay for dinner after a matinee
TRANSIT: North-Clybourn CTA Station
PHONE: 312-654-5622
WEBSITE: http://www.steppenwolf.org

Second City Theatre
DESCRIPTION: Since 1959, this Chicago landmark theatre has launched the careers of John Belushi, Mike Myers, and Bill Murray among others; this theatre seating only 340 and 180 in two auditoriums offers nightly comedy shows; the original shows are cutting edge and encourages actors and writers to improvise
BOX OFFICE: opens Mon-Fri 9a, Sat 10a, Sun 11a
ADDRESS: 1616 North Wells Street  MAP
PARKING: Park across Wells Street in the Treasure Island parking lot, $6 to $15
TRANSIT: Sedgwick CTA Station
PHONE: 312-664-4032
WEBSITE: http://www.secondcity.com

Victory Gardens-Biograph Theater
DESCRIPTION: Built 1914 and one of Chicago's oldest neighborhood movie houses; its red brick with white terra cotta construction typifies the first-generation movie houses that helped build the early motion picture industry; this theater is best known for its historical connection to the notorious gangster John Dillinger, who the FBI named "Public Enemy No. 1" and was killed here in 1934; recently completed a $10 million renovation
BOX OFFICE: Tue-Sat 12p-8p, Sun 12p-4p
ADDRESS: 2433 North Lincoln Ave  MAP
PARKING: $6 Children's Memorial Hospital at 2316 North Lincoln and $5 Lincoln Park Hospital at 550 West Webster Ave
TRANSIT: Fullerton CTA Station
PHONE: 773-871-3000
WEBSITE: http://www.victorygardens.org