Chicago, IL

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