Chicago the Place, Not the Show

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 10:57pm

I saw the sit-down production of "Wicked" in Chicago on Wednesday, August 3 at the Oriental Theatre (aka Ford Center for the Performing Arts). I will post my "review" of the show for anyone who cares to read it, but I want to say something about Chicago and the Oriental separate and apart from the show.

1. The Oriental Theatre
I agree with everyone: The Oriental is breathtakingly beautiful. Wicked looks wonderful in this setting. Since the theatre is rather anachronistic, it suits the show because Wicked doesn’t really take place in the past, present or future....its tense is indeterminable. The Gershwin is soooo modern. There’s never any mistaking that you’re in a state-of-the-art kind of 21st century showplace. (And it’s a “boring” theatre even though every seat is good and the acoustics are great.) In other words, the Oriental Theatre enhances the “Oz atmosphere” or perhaps I should say “blends” into it as though it is part of the set design or a character unto itself. (God, I sound like a dork.)

2. Seating
We sat in row AA of the Dress Circle. It was perfect for us because it’s what most theatres would call a “box” and we took our two kids (one of whom is only 3...and a boy...so sitting still for 3 hours does not come easily to him.) We liked these seats because we could have made a quick getaway if need be. (Fortunately, the need did not be. )

Since there are only 4 seats in the row, we didn’t have to worry about the kids disturbing our neighbors to the left or right. The seats behind us were raised and spacious. I mention this because posters have gone berserk about how bad the Dress Circle is. I actually asked people who sat in the Center of the Dress Circle how they liked their seats, and everyone said they were very good. So don't worry where your seats are. The theatre alone will keep you mesmerized! (Old movie house converted in 1998. I do believe in "Gypsy," they say, "The Oriental Theatre in Chicago presents Miss Gypsy Rose Lee" at one point. Am I wrong, Gypsy Experts?)

3. Staff
I read horror stories about the rudeness of the staff at the Oriental, and all I can say is “AU CONTRAIRE!” Everyone was helpful and polite. In fact, our usher took a lot of time to chat with us and was very sweet to my kids. After she sat us, she came by and said to us, “By the way, my name is Sheila. So if you need anything or there’s anything I can do for you, just let me know.” I grew up in NYC and will defend it to the death, but never, in all my years of theatre attendance, has a NYC usher said anything remotely like this to me! Actually, I found everyone in Chicago to be warm and friendly...not your usual “big city” dwellers. (And, yes, I’ve been to lots of “big cities” throughout the world, so I’m not just generalizing.)

So plan a trip! Go see Wicked or Lion King or go to the Goodman, but make sure you save time for the city itself. It's a happening place. Take it from a New Yorker!

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 11:02pm

I'll be in Chicago for a night next week and will be seeing this production. Please post your review at your convenience.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 11:03pm

My favorite Oriental Theatre reference is in Mame (And "Auntie Mame") when Agnes has traveled to Mame's townhouse from Chicago and when she sees the elaborate Asian decor, she gasps "Why, it looks just like the Ladies room of the Oriental The-ay-ter back home!" High praise indeed!

And the Tribune just did a great "Chicago Theatre history" piece and reported that Judy Garland changed her name while she was playing the Oriental Theatre! A Chicago Reviewer called her "Judy Glumm (Instead of Gumm)" and so before she left town she had adopted the new name Judy Garland. I wonder if she didn't get the idea from the Garland Building, just four blocks away?

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 11:21pm

Yay for Chicago! *points to signiture* I live in a suburb of Chicago and I think it's the second best place to live for theatre...the first being NY.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 11:35pm

Joe, I love that Judy story. I knew about the Glumm faux pas, but I didn't remember it was at the Oriental...and I certainly didn't know anything about the Garland Building. And, of course, Gooch is one of my heroines!

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 11:57pm

I love Chicago...:)

but I haven't met any of these nice Oriental ushers...hmm...I guess they never worked the 4 times I was there. :)

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 8/6/05 at 12:01am

Maybe I'm just "popular."

(Just Kidding!!!!!!!!!!)

[Dame Fanadette]

Posted: 8/6/05 at 12:06am

Chicago.... I love the shopping.
Note to self.... plan a trip!

[theatreboi11]

Posted: 8/6/05 at 3:04am

Great review of Chicago! Live 20 minutes outside Chicago! It is totally my city. Wonderful place for pretty much everything. Come for vacation if you have never been here! Plus we have the best Wicked cast out there!:)