Oriental Theatre Chicago

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 5/27/16 at 2:19pm

I've been there many times, but I've never been up in the balcony. Since the spongebob set looks CRAZY huge I'm thinking it would be better sitting farther away. Would you recommend mid orchestra or front lodge?

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 5/27/16 at 2:21pm

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=887583

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1080115

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1092830

[¿Macavity?]

Posted: 5/27/16 at 2:25pm

I'm not sure about orchestra because I'm the kind of person that likes to look down at the stage, but I sat in the center loge row D for Matilda and it was perfect. The balcony looked like it went back pretty far... So if I were you, I'd go with center loge. Especially considering the possible size of the show.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 5/27/16 at 2:27pm

Thanks concierge!

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 5/27/16 at 3:40pm

Haven't been there in awhile but you should be fine from either the orchestra or the loge. Skip the balcony. At these big Chicago theaters you feel like  you're a million miles away. They go WAY back. 

[AnnieBlack]

Posted: 5/27/16 at 4:06pm

of all the theatres that needs a name change, oriental is one! 

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 5/27/16 at 4:28pm

By all means let us be pc. With all the problems facing us, this has to be the most pressing.

 

Let us go through every theater name in the U.S. deemed offensive by a majority or even just one person and change the name immediately.

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 5/27/16 at 4:31pm

It describes the architectural style. I'm confused as to how it could be offensive. I guess if you're deeply offended by the style of American Orientalism... which admittedly was based on troubling stereotypes and othering... then I guess you could advocate the teardown of the theater... but you'd also have to tear down a lot other theaters. Advocating changing the name seems sort of beside the point.

Updated On: 5/27/16 at 04:31 PM

[gypsy101]

Posted: 5/27/16 at 7:46pm

agreed, the name has to do with Oriental architecture not the offensive term for Asian people.

[AnnieBlack]

Posted: 5/27/16 at 8:20pm

But the architecture is actually gothic & not 'oriental' inspired. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 5/27/16 at 8:23pm

THERES A GIANT BUDDHA SMACK RIGHT IN THE CENTER OF PROSCENIUM ARCH! Is that enough?

[AnnieBlack]

Posted: 5/27/16 at 8:32pm

I'm sorry, I'm asian, and the phrase oriental has been used as a slur and many people feel the same way I do. It is an old fashioned word that has very 'yellow' connotations. Sorry to express my feelings. 

I apologize if I offended anyone. 

[Fosse76]

Posted: 5/27/16 at 10:11pm

The architects knew nothing of Orientalism and designed the theater based on a stereotypical oriental style. They never saw authentic Asian art in architectural design.

[AnnieBlack]

Posted: 5/27/16 at 10:22pm

Call_me_jorge said: "THERES A GIANT BUDDHA SMACK RIGHT IN THE CENTER OF PROSCENIUM ARCH! Is that enough?

 

Just so you know, Buddhism represents only about 12% of religion in Asian countries, so putting a Buddha in the proscenium doesn't really make it 'oriental'- here is helpful link on Asian religions Call_me_Jorge: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Asia

 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 5/27/16 at 10:44pm

Oh. Sorry. I truly believed Buddhism was bigger thing in China. Guess not.

[AnnieBlack]

Posted: 5/27/16 at 11:18pm

I understand. It's an understandable error, and as Fosse76 very succinctly said, the theatre is not authentically asian in any way. When the theatre was re-named the 'Ford Center' in the 90s, I think a lot of people were happy, and honestly surprised when they reverted back to the 'Oriental' name when the naming rights were over. I know that there are more important things to care about nowadays, but for someone whose mother was an immigrant who was called an 'oriental girl' or a 'chink', it just is an odd moniker for a theater in a great multi-cultural city. 

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 5/28/16 at 1:38am

I'm a little confused about what's being discussed here. The theater is absoutely not done in a gothic style. It take a great deal of inspiration from Indian architecture and design... though it's hardly faithful or authentic. There's touches of the generic Middle East and generic China... but India is the predominant point of reference.


Orientalism is defined very specifically as a western interpretation of eastern cultures. The Oriental theater is the literal definition of this concept. The theater uses Indian, Asian, and Middle Eastern design concepts to create an 'exotic' effect. In no way is it meant to be authentic to any culture. The term "Oriental" when used in design is not at all synonymous with "Asian." Oriental and Orientalism could absolutely never be applied to a person. I don't mean to be condescending... but as Fosse76's comment betrays any understanding of Orientalism I thought it was helpful to point out.

Are you offended by the word out of context? Are you offended by the fact that the Oriental style was fairly common in theaters of that era? What's the solution? Changing the name won't change the fact that the whole theater is dripping with the condescending exoticism of white artists. 

If you're just offended by the word "Oriental" I suppose that makes sense... however it is not at all an odd moniker. It fits the building to a T. 

Updated On: 5/28/16 at 01:38 AM

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 5/28/16 at 1:50am

For the record... if you're offended that sucks. It doesn't even matter why you're offended. It's absolutely not my place to tell anyone whether they should or shouldn't be offended. I've tried in my responses to acknowledge the troubling history of Orientalism. You should write a letter. And I mean that seriously.

I can understand why you'd be offended by that word... It's just not being used in the way that a lot of folks in this thread are trying to apply it. The Oriental theater is not meant to be authentically Asian in any way. 

 

[¿Macavity?]

Posted: 5/28/16 at 2:41am

Wow, this thread sure did take a turn for the worst fast. Well, yeah, I hope you find good seats.   :)