Hamilton in Chicago

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 8/27/16 at 2:13pm

The big day is a month away. Is anyone going to the opening night on September 27th? I won't be seeing it until February which seems so far away.

David Korins Instagram is amazing. https://instagram.com/p/BJndGYiA3dt/

Updated On: 8/27/16 at 02:13 PM

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 8/27/16 at 2:31pm

Almost! I'm going October 1, which is the first Saturday of the run. Taking peeks at the different IG accounts of those associated has me really excited.

[luvcaroline]

Posted: 8/27/16 at 2:43pm

Funny, I was going to start a thread today, with performances beginning in one month. Shall we make this the official Hamilton in Chicago thread?  I'll start with the questions:  where's the stage door? (I'm actually serious about this question). Best place to stay in the area? (Haven't been to Chicago in a few years). What actor/actress are people most looking forward to seeing? (Joshua Henry for me). 

I'm beyond excited to see this cast. We have tickets for late October. 

[TheSassySam]

Posted: 8/27/16 at 2:57pm

luvcaroline said: "Funny, I was going to start a thread today, with performances beginning in one month. Shall we make this the official Hamilton in Chicago thread?  I'll start with the questions:  where's the stage door? (I'm actually serious about this question). Best place to stay in the area? (Haven't been to Chicago in a few years). What actor/actress are people most looking forward to seeing? (Joshua Henry for me). 

I'm beyond excited to see this cast. We have tickets for late October. 

 

"

I work across the street from PrivateBank. (I am actually at work right now, shh, don't tattle on me.) Let me see if I can help you. 

Stage Door is in the alley next to the theater!

Palmer House Hotel is a block away from the theater and is famous. I'll recommend other shows too if you'd like. 

I am, of course, excited to see Karen Olivo!

Updated On: 8/27/16 at 02:57 PM

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 8/27/16 at 3:11pm

To be more specific the stage door is in the alley on the left when you are looking at the theatre from the street.

[luvcaroline]

Posted: 8/27/16 at 4:17pm

Thanks to both of you!

Olivo's understudy was on when we saw In the Heights, so I'm pretty excited to finally see her too!


EDIT:  I totally forgot that she was also out at our performance of WSS, so I cannot wait to see her!
 

 

Updated On: 8/27/16 at 04:17 PM

[ImAGeneralWEE]

Posted: 8/27/16 at 4:20pm

I'll be there on September 27 and am ridiculously excited.  I'll be in a limited view (but full price - go figure) single seat... I'm usually picky about seats, but in this case I couldn't care less!

ETA - Most excited for Karen and Josh!

Updated On: 8/27/16 at 04:20 PM

[mtchairs]

Posted: 8/27/16 at 6:12pm

I'm going to be there the weekend of November 19 and practically staying in 'the room where it happens' at the Hampton Inn Majestic

[ggersten]

Posted: 8/27/16 at 6:21pm

October 2 Evening for us.  But, we only have 3 tickets after Broadway in Chicago backed off letting season ticket holders buy extra seats before the sale to the general public.  So, we need a fourth non-premium seat for that performance.  

[chi-town_bwayfangirl]

Posted: 8/27/16 at 9:35pm

Just saw that official opening night is October 19 and that LMM will be there. There's an online auction for 2 seats and tix to opening night party and meet LMM; bid was at $13k when I checked: https://www.timeout.com/chicago/blog/you-can-bid-to-be-lin-manuel-mirandas-guest-at-hamilton-chicago-opening-night-082516

[KingOPancakes]

Posted: 8/27/16 at 10:23pm

For what it's worth, I just saw Book of Mormon at The PrivateBank Theater a couple weeks ago. I did a ton of research about seating beforehand and despite everything I read, our groups consensus was to buy balcony seats despite online reviews saying the view wasn't great. I'm happy to report that even 5 rows from the back of the house we had a fantastic view. So, much like what I've read about the Richard Rodgers, I think most people will be happy with their seats no matter where they sit. 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

I accidentally clicked this spoiler thing and don't know how to turn it off.  Sorry.

 

[another sloe eyed vamp]

Posted: 8/28/16 at 10:08am

Has anyone who ordered tickets online or by phone gotten theirs yet? I haven't. I've called Ticketmaster a few times, and get a different story each time. Given the mess they made of the first day of ticket sales, I'd really like to have my ticket in hand before the 90 days from when I bought it runs out.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 8/28/16 at 10:47am

They aren't your tickets until 45 days before your performance.

[laugard]

Posted: 8/28/16 at 12:00pm

Bummed because I bought orchestra seats for marathon weekend, but have canceled my trip due to an injury. I considered going anyway, but to pay airfare and extra high hotel costs when I can't run just didn't seem smart. So I deferred my race registration and am going to sell my tickets instead since I've seen the show in NY and will doing so again next week.

One thing I discovered is that Stubhub is being super strict about selling Chicago Hamilton tickets. When I tried to list my tickets, I got a popup saying they'd first have to review my account before allowing me to sell.  (I'm assuming to make sure I don't have a history of selling large numbers of Hamilton tickets.) Also, they said only hard tickets could be sold, no pdfs or electronic version. I'm glad they're being strict, and mine are legitimate from Ticketmaster, so don't mind the policies, but I didn't get hard tickets, so I do wish I'd known about that part in advance. Guess I'll be using TM resale. But did think it was interesting that Stubhub was trying to crack down on bogus resale tix for the Chicago run!

 

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/29/16 at 1:37pm

I think most people will be happy with their seats no matter where they sit.

I hope so.  I think at least a quarter of the seats (maybe even so much as a third) in that theatre have an obstructed view from overhangs, but the rest would technically qualify as being "most".  I just hate that the show is going into this theatre instead of the Oriental.  It's the least attractive of the theatres, not much marquee visibility in relation to tourist traffic, and the lobby is absurdly cramped (and will seem claustrophobic with the amount of people that will likely queue up for merchandise).  Given the show's obvious popularity, navigating to the seats, bars and restrooms will be a nightmare.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 8/29/16 at 2:07pm

I agree the oriental would have been much more pleasant. Thought I believe they chose the private bank, because it's the smaller of the big three so it increases demand. 

[Fosse76]

Posted: 8/29/16 at 3:54pm

Mister Matt said: "I just hate that the show is going into this theatre instead of the Oriental.  It's the least attractive of the theatres, not much marquee visibility in relation to tourist traffic, and the lobby is absurdly cramped (and will seem claustrophobic with the amount of people that will likely queue up for merchandise).  Given the show's obvious popularity, navigating to the seats, bars and restrooms will be a nightmare."

 

I agree, I mean, how is Hamilton going to find an audience with this theater's obscure location?

 

As for lobby space, the Shubert (or whatever it's called now) has had other sold-out shows, so why you think it'll struggle to accommodate the Hamilton audience is puzzling. 

 

The theater was chosen because Hamilton visually fits better there than in the other theaters.

[TheSassySam]

Posted: 8/29/16 at 4:08pm

They wanted to keep the Oriental Theatre open so The King and I can go in there next year. 

 

I am sure PrivateBank had a word about Hamilton's residency because they didn't announce the name change until they announced Hamilton. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 8/29/16 at 7:32pm

TheSassySam said: "They wanted to keep the Oriental Theatre open so The King and I can go in there next year. 

 

I am sure PrivateBank had a word about Hamilton's residency because they didn't announce the name change until they announced Hamilton. 

 

"

Now privatebank has been bought. So that name won't be sticking for much longer.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/29/16 at 8:14pm

I agree, I mean, how is Hamilton going to find an audience with this theater's obscure location?

Well, I didn't say the location was obscure or that the show wouldn't find an audience.  Just that this theatre doesn't have the same prominent curb appeal as the others, which it doesn't.

As for lobby space, the Shubert (or whatever it's called now) has had other sold-out shows, so why you think it'll struggle to accommodate the Hamilton audience is puzzling. 

Living a couple of blocks away and having seen sold-out shows at this theatre, knowing the placement of their merchandise booth, as well as having seen Hamilton on Broadway and the overwhelming response, I personally feel it's an educated opinion based on experience.  But maybe it's puzzling if you think it's roomy and adequate and always easy to slide between hordes of people blocking the small space with the queues of people for the bar, the stairs to the restroom and the merchandise all converging in the same space that also leads to the doors for orchestra seating.  The other theatres do not have this same configuration, but I guess it's a matter of personal taste.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/30/16 at 8:37am

@MisterMatt, what neighborhood is the theater in?  I'm trying to gauge where to stay when I go see Hamilton in November. Thanks.  Hope to see you then, too!

[velevele]

Posted: 8/30/16 at 8:55am

The theater is in the Loop, with lots of hotels in walking distance. Probably the two closest are the Hampton Inn Majestic and the Palmer House, but there are numerous others within a few blocks. If you have specific requirements, post them, and I or someone else can probably help.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 8/30/16 at 9:00am

DottieD'Luscia said: "@MisterMatt, what neighborhood is the theater in?  I'm trying to gauge where to stay when I go see Hamilton in November. Thanks.  Hope to see you then, too!

 

"

If you want to be adventurous and you are flying in I'd recommend the suburbs like oakbrook or rosemont. 

[TheSassySam]

Posted: 8/30/16 at 11:13am

DottieD'Luscia said: "@MisterMatt, what neighborhood is the theater in?  I'm trying to gauge where to stay when I go see Hamilton in November. Thanks.  Hope to see you then, too!

 

"

If you want to be in the city, but don't want to stay in the Loop. I would recommend staying in Lakeview. It's a 20 minutes L ride to the Monroe Red Line stop (where PrivateBank Theater is located).  

In Lakeview, you will find the Belmont Theater District (full of regional and improv productions), Wrigley Field, Boystown (if you want to catch a drag show), our own Music Box Theater (it's a movie theater that shows classic and indie movies) as well as some great restaurants. 

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/30/16 at 11:20am

Thanks for the suggestions. I stayed at the Westin on Michigan Avenue when I visited several years ago.  I booked that through Hotwire.