Chicago Theater recommendation?

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 9:33am

I will be in Chicago for business the week of Dec 11. I will have Sunday free and was planning on catching a show. I've looked at the Theatermania listing, but was wondering if any of you had recommendations. I am not really wanting to see Wicked or Hairspray as I have seen both multiple times.

A performance of a show that has previously been on Broadway would be good, as would an original work that has not hit NY. Plays are also ok.

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 10:15am

I would suggest the Wicked lottery...and Hairspray starts the 6th so you'll be here for that. When I was at the wicked lottery last they offered tickets to Chicago and Joeseph (which are closing the 4th) for $25..I think because they haven't sold well...Not sure if the case is the same for Hairspray but going to the Wicked lottery you could find out :)

HAVE FUN!

[Brokenlizard14]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 10:27am

I know you said you don't really want to see Wicked, but I really would recommend it. The Chicago cast, especially Kristoffer Cusick (Fiyero), Ana Gasteyer (Elphaba), and Telly Leung (Boq) are phenomenal!

[Fosse76]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 10:35am

Check out the Steppenwolf or Goodman...they send a lot of shows to Broadway. Though, The Goodman ALWAYS doeas A Christmas Carol about now.

[buskeat]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 11:14am

Dessa Rose is running at Apple Tree Theatre in Highland Park, which is not too far from the city.

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 11:25am

I wanted to see Dessa Rose. Do you know how long it would take to get there via Metra from downtown?

If I do consider Wicked (and that is a big if), how is BB7 in the Dress Circle? Its listed as limited view, but the price is the same as the full price orchestra seats.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 12:20pm

Highland Park is a lovely suburb and should be really pretty at Christmas time. It is about an hour from Downtown by Metra and the Apple Tree Theatre is just a few blocks from the train station. If it is not too cold it might be a really nice day to do some shopping up there, too.
Here is the Metrto Mix link. Just look around on here and you should be able to find something other than Wicked!
Metro Mix

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 12:24pm

I cannot recommend 4.48 Psychosis enough. It's at Steppenwolf and is wonderful!

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 12:52pm

Thanks for the link Sueleen. Yes, Wicked is a last resort for me. Cruz's new play Hortensia and the Museum of Dreams looks appealing to me, in addition to Dessa Rose.

Updated On: 12/2/05 at 12:52 PM

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 2:25pm

LMAO...sorry I didn't read taht you didn't really want to see Wicked or Hairspray...
I crack myself up..those are the only two I suggested....bwhhaha

[pndmnd]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 2:46pm

If you want to see Christmas Carol, I'd probably recommend the Goodman's. It's usually pretty good, and you can usually get last minute tickets for cheaper (I think you go at 6 or 6:30. I'm not sure how much they are for adults (I use my student ID), but if you call the theatre they can give you info). Something I've been really wanting to see is After the Quake at Steppenwolf.

[RENThead414]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 3:08pm

If you do see Wicked, I can tell you that basically any seat in the theatre is a good one, even if it does say "limited" view (which generally only means, in the context of the Oriental Theatre, that you can't see actor's facial expressions because you're too far back). It's not a *huge* theatre, so I'll repeat what I just said lol in that the show is just as good from any seat in the house. Hairspray is at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, erm....not sure what else, check out www.broadwayinchicago.com, they know more than I do.
Updated On: 12/2/05 at 03:08 PM

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 3:37pm

pndmnd, after the quake was really, really good. It was the play out of the subscription series that I was most indifferent to, but I found myself laughing more than I had anticipated. It's very clever and very beautiful.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 4:46pm

I know what you mean about "limited view" at the Oriental. I bought a seat in row E, center orchestra on the aisle, yet it was labelled as a limited view seat. Maybe it means limited in how much of the actual audience you see (since 90% of it is behind you), because if a center orchestra seat is limited view, I'd hate to sit elsewhere! I'm thinking that when they are mostly sold-out for a performance, they slap everything with the "limited view" label just to simplify.

[WindyCityActor]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 5:00pm

I would suggest the following:

Cloud 9

Infamous Commonwealth Theatre at
National Pastime Theatre
4139 N. Broadway, Chicago
[phone]
Comedy/Drama

The Long Christmas Ride Home

Next Theatre Company at
Next Theatre
927 Noyes, Evanston
847-475-1875
Drama

The Madwoman of Chaillot

Artistic Home at
The Artistic Home
1420 W. Irving Park, Chicago
[phone]
Comedy/Drama

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 12/15/05 at 10:59am

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. Some of the performance times did correspond to my availability. I ended up seeing 4.48 Psychosis, so for whoever made that recommendation, thanks. It was probably one of the most unique theatre going experiences I have had, and although quite disturbing, was incredibly thought provoking.

The actors were extremely talented.

I also saw Wicked. Ana was out. I saw her understudy (Courtney Corey), who was fantastic. Very well acted and sung. Wasn't too happy with Kate's take on Glinda both in terms of character choices and voice, but it was an enjoyable matinee.

Updated On: 12/18/05 at 10:59 AM