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Name the top three U.S. cities where you would go to see a Broadway show and there’s a good chance that Chicago is on the list (alongside New York and perhaps Los Angeles). Asked for a place where you’d be willing to take a risk on more avant garde theater options, you’d be smart to also make sure to include Chicago. The Downtown Theater District of Chicago is a place where the best of modern and historic theater thrive side-by-side.

Some of the venues that make up the cityscape here have been around since the early days of Chicago theater and their buildings are a testament to the architectural and entertainment history of the city. Other Chicago theatres are smaller, more modern venues where the city’s edgiest young performers are beginning to make names for themselves. Whether you’re interested in seeing the “best of the best” Broadway shows or you want to check out something a little more unknown, you’re not going to have to wander far in Chicago to find what you’re seeking.

Chicago’s Best Theaters

If you’re just going to wander around Chicago in search of a theater then you’re going to want to head downtown where the Theater District is located. In this area (and in some other spots around town), you’ll be treated to some of the finest theaters in Chicago’s history. The most important ones to consider seeing a show at include:

• Cadillac Palace. This theater was designed by The Rapp Brothers, a name that you’re going to hear a lot if you explore the Chicago Theater district because they were the most impressive theatre architects in the history of the city. Opened in 1929, the interior wowed people who came to see the first vaudeville acts that were performed here. Renovated at the end of the twentieth century, it continues to wow audiences to this day both with the design of the theatre itself and with the impressive Broadway shows that appear on its stage.

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• Oriental Theatre. Also known by its more modern name, The Ford Center for the Performing Arts, this theater originally opened as a theater for film back in 1926. Another of the theatres designed by The Rapp Brothers, the Oriental Theater was constructed with the influence of Asian décor in mind. As with many of the theaters in Chicago, it fell out of use for a period of time but was then revived towards the end of the twentieth century and is now a favorite place for both locals and travelers to see performances.
• Majestic Theater. Known now by the name Bank of America Theater, the Majestic has lived up to its name since it was built over one hundred years ago. The tallest and most expensive building of its time, the Majestic Theater was a famous Chicago vaudeville hot spot. After vaudeville declined in popularity, it was a venue for early Broadway favorites like Guys and Dolls. Today it remains a much-loved Chicago theater.

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• Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Palace. Not all of the theaters in Chicago are pieces of historic architecture. This is one of the newest, most modern theatres in the area and one that has gained a lot of attention for its impressive design. Offering dinner-and-a-show packages with nearby restaurants, it is rapidly making a name for itself as a theater-goers hotspot.
• The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Even older than the Majestic Theater is this Chicago theater which dates back to the 1880’s when it was one of the first multi-purpose buildings constructed in Chicago and one of the first public buildings to have amenities like air conditioning. Unlike the theaters of Chicago’s theater district, this isn’t home to Broadway shows so much as other types of theater such as ballet and dance (although traveling Broadway shows can be seen here). It offers something a little bit different to the Chicago theater scene and stands as an important monument to the entertainment history of the city.

Famous Shows to See in Chicago

You can see all different types of shows on the stages of Chicago’s theaters but most people want to go see the most famous ones. Here are some of the city’s current top picks:

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• Avenue Q. This fun Broadway musical that is something like the Sesame Street for the adult viewer is playing in 2008 at the Cadillac Theater.
• Dirty Dancing. You know the movie so you’re probably going to want to see the Broadway show. It starts in September of 2008 and can be seen in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theater.
• Jersey Boys. This Broadway show got attention in New York and then made its way around the world to audiences that continue to go back for more. It has a home in the old Majestic Theater.
• Mamma Mia! People who like the music of ABBA (and even a few of those who don’t) made this one of the most popular modern musicals of the day. It can be seen at the Auditorium Theater of Roosevelt University.
• Shout! This “mod musical” is said to be a celebration of the ‘60’s and will be of interest to anyone who has a secret passion for the old hippie days. It plays at the Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Palace.
• Wicked. This Broadway musical has gained a lot of attention over the past few years as a terrific theater piece which is associated with The Wizard of Oz but stands on its own as an individual story. It plays at the old Oriental Theatre where it has served to help bring the theatre back to its original popularity. Also at this theatre is Behind the Emerald Curtain which is a behind-the-scenes look at Wicked that goes well with the performance itself.

People who are going to be visiting Chicago should also keep their eyes peeled for announcements about new theater events that are going to be coming to the area. Some of the big names that are supposed to hit the Chicago stage with TBD release dates include Grease, Xanadu, A Chorus Line and A Bronx Tale.

Supplementing a Night out at the Theatre

You can plan a night in Chicago in which all you do is see one of the shows at a great Chicago theatre and you’re bound to be in for a good time. However, a night at the theatre is something to really indulge yourself in and the smart Chicago visitor will make an entire day out of the event. Here’s the simple guide to truly spicing up your Chicago theatre experience:

• Take a theatre tour. Since Chicago has so many historic theatres, it’s hardly surprising that there are tours given of them during the day. Look up the theatre of your choice or do your research into city tours and find one that you want to learn more about. You’ll get an education in the history of Chicago’s entertainment and you’ll have a better appreciation of the venue(s) where you’ll be enjoying Chicago’s theatre events.

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• Go shopping. Most Chicago theatres will let you in wearing almost anything but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t dress to the nines. A night out at a Chicago theatre is a night to immerse yourself in glamour so do a little bit of shopping and get yourself dolled up for the event.
• Dinner in Chicago. Before you go to see any theatre show, you should make it a point to enjoy dinner at one of the best restaurants in Chicago. If you’re going to be seeing a show at one of the Theatre District venues, make reservations at one of the downtown restaurants in the neighborhood.
• Drinks after the show. A nightcap is the perfect end to a night out at the Chicago theatre so find a bar, lounge or club that makes the drink that will quench your thirst and don’t let the night die just because the curtain has closed.

Take the time to really enjoy the Chicago theatre and make it something to remember!

Tags: Chicago | illinois | North America | Theater | United States