Chicago Theatregoers: which show should I choose?

When are you going to be here?

Jersey Boys and Xanadu are also options.

Good point. I haven't seen any of the shows you listed (I prefer the singing people), but I've heard that Chicago Shakespeare does not disappoint.

Being that THE SEAFARER is a show that is playing at so many regional theatres this year (and probably will be in the seasons to come) you should catch a show or production that will truely be a unique experience.

I haven't seen SEAFARER, but I can't say I've loved everything I've seen at Steppenwolf. Of the 5 or 6 things I've seen, I've really only liked AUGUST and ANNE FRANK.

I saw Barbara Gaines' production of COMEDY OF ERRORS and (I am not a huge Shakespeare fan...) it was one of the best pieces of theatre I have ever seen. (And since moving to Chicago two years ago I have seen over 200 things...)

Perhaps MACBETH may be the best choice?

American Theatre Company is also a company that is quickly rising to the top and they're doing something very unique with TOPDOG/TRUE WEST. (And it's a nice intimate space) And, if you're a student, they have a great student discount.

The Gift is also not that easy to get to...

Hope any of this helps! Feel free to ask some more questions or opinions.

All good options, but it's worth seeing XANADU again just to see how its been adapted to the road (the new mural opening, etc). :)

Don't go see any of the road shows. The fun of being in Chicago is enjoying the wonderfully adventurous theatre performed by some of the best regional theatre in the country.

The things that I'd recommend (ranked in order of recommendation):

1. Desire Under the Elms at the Goodman - I know someone who is working on it and they said that it is really going to be an extraordinary production.

2. Macbeth - I've seen several of the actors in different shows around town and the cast is really awesome. Additionally, Barbara Gaines' shows are always an event and going to Chicago Shakes is a lot of fun.

3. The Seafarer - Any chance to see Chicago gem John Mahoney onstage is a treat. And it's a great play.

With those options you are bound to see some great theatre!

See the Seafarer if you can see it while Chicago legend Francis Guinan is still in the cast... I know he's leaving in early February... so double check... but it's worth it for his performance I think.

You could see Macbeth if you wanted an accurate representation of Barbara Gaines direction... meaning poorly staged... there's no acknowledgement in the staging that the theater is an extreme(!) thrust, so that if you are on the sides... good luck... there's no big idea or theme, just a series of ideas that she thought was "cool"... it is a completely uninspired production... particularly if you saw the recent Broadway revival... HOWEVER... Theater legend Mike Nussbaum makes magic with his five minutes on stage as the Porter... and soon to be legend Karen Aldridge is playing Lady Macbeth, poorly, but you can say you saw her when she was just a Chicago actress, also you get to see her boobs. It's not a bad production... just a lot of yelling with perfect diction. Attending a show at Chicago Shakes IS a lot of fun... the view of Chicago coast from the fifth floor men's bathroom is unparalleled anywhere in the city(I'm NOT joking)!

Desire Under the Elms will be playing, and I would imagine that will be a knock out... though it is supposed to transfer as is... so you may want to wait...

Let me say, without reservation, that Miss Saigon is REALLY, REALLY wonderful. Usually productions there are "eh"... but for whatever reason... this production lands like gangbusters... and it's only 33 dollars... or so... The Engineer and Kim both played the role on Broadway... Ellen is Melissa Dye (Rapunzel in the Into the Woods revival) and the Chris has a lot of New York credits.. the set is "eh" but fine, and one or two ensemble moments are clear about their limitations... but it's def. worth the money... it's also worth it because the retiree audience of Drury Lane is clearly unprepared for the emotional wallop the show packs (usually Drury Lane does shows like Mame and Dames at Sea) ... and it's fun to watch them respond so emotionally.

If I were you, and I'd never been to Chicago... I would see The Seafarer and Desire Under the Elms... or Macbeth(knowing the reservations)... if I wanted to see a really good show... I would see Miss Saigon and Desire Under the Elms, or the Seafarer.

(Drury Lane Oakbrook is far out in the suburbs... right off a high way(two actually) so it's easy to get to... but you'll need a car)


kmc

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You should definitely go and see XANADU again. The cast is GREAT!

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Woot!

"but I've heard that Chicago Shakespeare does not disappoint."

I would hope not! Didn't they win the regional theater Tony?

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I'm on my way!

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Had a great trip! Thanks again to all for your advice.

1) Steppenwolf's THE SEAFARER

Great acting, direction, and design. An all-around complete production and well-executed. I got the 20for20 seats and I wouldn't have changed them for the world.

2) XANADU

The slight staging changes were appropriate and all and good. The talent is also great! The night I went, the audience was not into it, which is contradictory to how previous audiences have reacted, I am told. My only complaint is the people around me didn't have as much fun as I did.

3) Chicago Shakespeare Theater's MACBETH

It seems like every single method of stagecraft was used in this production and each element was executed spectacularly. However, it all was too glamourous and distracted from the story. Based on CST's production, I got that "Macbeth" is the story about an army general who kills people for power and his wife is OK with it, but he is haunted by the ghosts of the people he was responsible for killing. Oh yes, and there is also a mini-plotline about these three ghosts who are spectators and inhabit people that interact with Macbeth, but they have no purpose other than to be onlookers.

I wish I could have seen MISS SAIGON and DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS. Ah well.

Next time I will actually sight-see! :-P

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