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    Auditorium Theatre

    4.0 (215 reviews)
    Closed Closed

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    My view
    Drake M.

    I came to see Kruder and Dorfmeister. Sitting in the upper balcony, I had a perfect view. When you walk in they will have to check you bag and have you go through metal detectors, the workers were sweet and nice. This theater has great an acoustics. The band sounds great. Just be careful when buying tickets, resellers will pop up before the Auditorium Theater.

    Tara P.

    This place is absolutely stunning! They just don't make things the way they used to and that really shines here! The crown molding, carvings, golds and velvets shine through. Every seat has a good view!

    My program.
    Lisa P.

    Had not been inside this theater since graduating in 2010. It's a beautiful, classic and aged architectural structure. In 1975 it became a historical landmark. Imagine my excitement when finding out that Mean Girls was going to be performing at this locale. The performance was amazing! The lights, sounds, dancing and theatrics were all well worth seeing.

    karina k.

    Nice and classy theater! Gender neutral bathrooms, clean, no musty old carpet smell, modern enough but classy. Interior design and lights are very nice. Acoustics work well. Nice staff and security. You have to go through metal detectors, they look through all bags, you can't bring even a tiny Swiss Army knife so keep anything sharp at home. They will confiscate any sharp metal objects and keep it safe until the end of the show and they will return it. Oh and the seats aren't vinyl as I would like bc it's easy to clean but they are cloth and comfortable and plush.

    Inside
    Julie E.

    Very beautiful theater in the heart of Chicago. We went to see Broadway show of Elf the musical while on a work trip. Recommend you arrive at least 30 minutes before your show starts. It was a slow line to get inside. It's nice. They have security, but it does make it very tedious to get in the front door. Inside is very ordinate and lots of details from mosaics in the floor to artwork on the walls and ceilings. Elf certainly made us laugh. Nobody beats Will as Buddy the Elf though!

    Angela M.

    Very outdated. Remodeling should be in its future--from the worn carpeting to the vintage seating and such a small stage area. Tiny pieces of foam were falling from the ceiling during the stage performance. I attended The Hip Hop Orchestra w/ Thee Phantom & The Illharmonic Orchestra and D-Composed Chicago. I did not particularly enjoy the performances by Thee Phantom. It seemed to interrupt the flow of hearing the orchestra. That's what I was there to hear. It was not what I expected at all.

    View from Second Flr Aisle 28
    Joneice B.

    First experience in this theater was to see Beetlejuice the musical. Overall was impressed with the beauty of the theater however I did not like the process of getting into the theater. The entrance is long and off a very busy street and the way it was set up like you had to kind of walk into the street to get to the entrance so that was kind of a mess. The show was fantastic and I was very impressed with the talent and would recommend this musical for all ages. At this theater we actually set in a box. That was my first time sitting in a box (only 4 seats) and I really enjoyed it. Definitely worth upgrading to have that more personal feeling. Our seats were very comfy and there were no heads blocking our view. I would say the only annoying thing is the other 2 before in the box kept standing up during the performance. These seats were so comfy and spacious that they could stretched their legs sitting down....like seriously calm down. Another issue with this theater was the confusing lines to purchase merchandise. We got in one line and they let a group go and then told us we weren't in line which was not true. So then we had to get back in line. Meanwhile several people cut the line as the attendants were not very attentive. But for really liking the show...I almost didn't purchase my ornament. All in all it was fun times. I would come back to this theater. My drink was strong but the price to value was less to be desired. Nearby parking and a Peet's coffee was a highlight. Try to get to this spot at least 20 to 30 minutes before as getting in is quite a process.

    Rex Orange County from row EE
    Tim C.

    Great venue for seeing any event. I don't think there is a bad seat in the place. Great acoustics for a concert. We heard the entrance into the building can take some time with the security in place. We arrived 45 minutes early and didn't have to wait in a line. We only sat prior to the concert, and then everyone stood. I didn't find the seats uncomfortable.

    Jane V.

    Did you know that this is a national historical landmark? It's a gorgeous theater with 3,901 seats total. Elegance and opulence abound. We recently went here to see the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra preform with special guests, Tank and the Bangas. The acoustics are phenomenal, and even though we were sitting in one of the balconies, it sounded like we were sitting on the front row. The seats were nice, with plenty of leg room. Get there early so you can truly take in the beautiful architecture and decor of the theater.

    Nadine S.

    Went to see the sugar hill nutcracker. A real treat. The seats were at the gallery and it was a lovely experience.

    Karen N.

    This is a wonderful old theater. The architecture is amazing and so well maintained. All of the staff were very friendly, professional and guided many people to their seats. Many reviews mention uncomfortable seating, but out seats were located in the dress circle and were fine. The sound was excellent. There were no bathrooms on our floor, but the bathrooms on the floor above us were fine, but there were only two stalls in the woman's bathroom. We used spot hero and was able to park two blocks away for $8.00 for a Sunday evening event. The venue is historic and beautiful.

    Some seats are not good!

    Nice old auditorium but seats are small and some seats are not good... very hard to see the stage!

    Saw Stephen Colbert
    Tigui D.

    Beautiful venue BUT the seats are so uncomfortable it does not fit all body shapes. If you're sitting on the Upper level, the bathroom is a few floors down and you can barely see the entertainment. The workers are always nice though and helpful.

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    This theater has wide comfortable seats with enough legroom! Best theater seats in Chicago!

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    Ask the Community - Auditorium Theatre

    Is the Auditorium Theatre still requiring masks since the mask mandates have been lifted?

    Yes- despite the mask requirement being lifted for over two months, they require masks AT ALL TIMES and the bars are shut down because "it's just not safe". Ridiculous.

    What is the attire for the Alvin Ailey dance performance at The Auditorium Theater?

    Hi Marvin H. We do not have a dress code, most of our patron attire ranges from business casual to cocktail attire. We look forward to welcoming you soon. Best,

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Auditorium Theatre

    The Auditorium is a stunning Chicago landmark that showcases anything from the Joffrey Ballet to major jambands.

    Mentioned in 18 reviews

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    Trickery - More magic

    Trickery

    5.0(210 reviews)
    4.9 miLakeview
    $

    We attended Trickery on Saturday 04/18/26. Aaron was adept at working with a diverse audience to…read moreinclude them and maintain control of his performance in a very intimate setting. Because it's BYOB you'll get the 20-somethings that feel they have to get loaded beforehand and then act the fool while attending (do you hear that "Neil"? No one wants the focus on you acting like it was your first experience with alcohol) but Aaron was skilled at bypassing them without causing tension or escalating bad behavior. Aaron's attitude is one of someone who has worked hard to make this little venture work, and he deserves respect and recognition for his obvious commitment and work ethic. His act included variations of tricks performed by other magicians, with his own twists. He is an expert at sleight of hand and distraction, which is considerably more difficult in a room about the size of an average residential living-room. He had an appropriate sense of humor aligned with an audience coming to Boystown, an overtly gay neighborhood in Chicago (if you're not familiar). However he wasn't garish, flaming, flamboyant, or offensive; he managed a perfect balance of innuendo humor and audience engagement without being cheap or ingenuine. The snarky one-liners will likely go over your young kids' heads (although bring them to an early show, your 9 year old doesn't belong in Boystown at 10 pm on a weekend), and he carries himself with class avoiding the use of profanity or graphic terms. Again, I can't overstate that his tricks were amazing, impressive, and captivating - as magic should be. You leave the show shaking your head and wondering how it's done - which truly makes it "magic". You would be hard-pressed to spend $36.36/person for an hour of live entertainment that can match Aaron's performance. Pro-tip: If you're driving there you will need to use an app to reserve parking, as there aren't garages like downtown Chicago and every street is filled with so many signs there's no way you will return and find your car not-towed or not-ticketed. Chicago does this on purpose to generate revenue; you'll see "street cleaning" on Tuesday from xx hour to xx hour, no parking when snow is over 2 inches OR any time from Dec 1 through April 1, loading zone, 15 minute stopping/standing with flashers, no parking, residential permit zone only, bike lanes, bus stop restrictions, etc. If you find street parking and think you've beaten the system, think again. Nobel Prize Laureates, Rhodes Scholars, Ivy League PhDs, Mensa members - you can meet them all at Chicago Central Auto Pound retrieving their vehicles. Stephen Hawking couldn't drive, but if he could and he parked in that neighborhood all the quantum mechanics in the world wouldn't make his towed car reappear from the Chicago Parking space-time continuum. The nice thing is if you do reserve parking and give yourself enough time you can walk to many, many restaurants and bars in the area that are open even after the 10 pm show ends. Thank you Aaron for a wonderful experience, you made my wife's birthday memorable for both of us.

    I've attended this show twice now and really enjoyed it both times. It's always a great experience…read more He takes time to thank everyone for coming and even asks how you heard about the show, which makes it feel very personal and welcoming. He's genuinely nice and engaging. I plan to come at least once a year. I also love having a local, neighborhood option instead of having to go downtown to see similar acts.

    Photos
    Trickery
    Trickery
    Trickery - Must see!!!

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    Must see!!!

    The Magic Parlour - Bar area and Shirley Temple

    The Magic Parlour

    4.9(159 reviews)
    0.6 miThe Loop

    I have seen the magic of Dennis Watkins prior to The Magic Parlour even opening so when he…read moreannounced this theater as part of the Goodman built for magic, I was all in! I have been there for Dennis's solo show with my daughter and cousins and I treated my dad, my mom, and my family to Three Card Monte for his birthday as a way to spend time together. Three Card Monte was where the audience was seated at three tables and three different close up magicians rotated through. The magic was literally happening in front of your eyes! The variety in the three magicians was great--they had a variety of tricks, varying levels of sarcasm and humor, and overall, made it one of the best Sunday evenings I have had! Your ticket comes with a drink ticket--I don't drink, but they made me a mean Shirley Temple. My daughter bought a 2nd one at intermission and it was very reasonably priced. I made sure to have cash to tip my bartender. With Dennis's solo show, there was an option to pay to be a VIP where we got a taste of close up magic right after the general show. It was very cool and I recommend adding it on. If you love magic or even if you just know someone who loves magic, I recommend! A classy venue with top notch entertainment!

    Been a couple of times, the magician is a great entertainer and makes you believe in real magic…read more I tore a dollar bill into 8 pieces 2 separate times without letting go of bill and as you can see I still have it. Great mentalist as well.

    Photos
    The Magic Parlour - Beautiful Room

    Beautiful Room

    The Magic Parlour - Dennis Watkins beginning the show.

    Dennis Watkins beginning the show.

    The Magic Parlour - Posing with Dennis

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    Posing with Dennis

    Goodman Theatre - Curtain call for the young Tommy actors, age 4 and age 10.  7-06-2023 matinee performance.

    Goodman Theatre

    4.2(234 reviews)
    0.7 miThe Loop

    I've long been a fan of the Goodman, and though I used to be a semi-regular, I've only been here…read moreonce since the pandemic. Until today! Somehow, I learned about a children's production presented through their educational wing. I'm not sure if their education & engagement was this strong in years past or perhaps I simply wasn't dialed into their offerings, but that's definitely changing now. We went to see Splish Splash. This was a 50 minute long story about a blue heron and friends who are seeking to repair the moon after it fell into Lake Michigan. There were songs, there was play, and it was highly interactive. The kids--fellow "sailors", along with three of the cast members--learned a song to sing along at various parts of the show. There were several times when the kids were invited onto the "stage" (it was in one of their lab/classroom spaces, so there wasn't a raised stage) to help or participate. It was so well done, and kept the kids engaged. I really loved how this experience was designed. Upon arrival we were checked in and pointed to one of the classroom spaces. I was surprised because I wasn't sure how actors could be safe there, but it was actually a room for the kids to color and read books or play with toys and stuff before we were taken into the room where the performance took place. I've only seen something that was meant to keep kids busy like that before showtime is at Filament Theatre, and we've gone to kids shows at two or three other theaters by now. It was a great touch. This production was specifically geared toward children aged 0-5, which is atypical and felt so special that it was written with the littlest theatergoers. One of the important pre-show reminders was for adults, reminding us that it's a no-shush zone! I'm so excited that one of the most important theaters in the city, and the oldest non-profit theater still in operation in Chicago, is so committed to developing young audiences in an exciting way and meeting them where they're at. We'll be regulars at their Theatre for the Very Young programs.

    Beautiful theatre!!! Excellent production! I loved seeing…read more"Ashland Avenue". So humorous and poignant too. Such a historic place. This is their 100th season!!! Wow!!! Definitely one of the most famous theatres in Chicago and known for stellar productions. Multi level theatre that accommodates large audiences. It was sold out on a Wednesday night. I love to see that! Very spacious and pristine venue. Lovely gift shop too. Plenty of refreshments. Friendly and helpful staff. I'll definitely be back!

    Photos
    Goodman Theatre - The main floor is not too deep and there are good sight lines for all.

    The main floor is not too deep and there are good sight lines for all.

    Goodman Theatre - Preshow

    Preshow

    Goodman Theatre - A view from the main floor of the Albert Theatre.  The 3 levels of boxes in view there also.

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    A view from the main floor of the Albert Theatre. The 3 levels of boxes in view there also.

    Cadillac Palace Theatre - Beautiful Cadillac Palace Theater

    Cadillac Palace Theatre

    3.8(340 reviews)
    0.7 miThe Loop

    05/12/26 - My wife & I went The Cadillac Theater to see Les Miserables. The show was inside…read moreCadillac Palace. This was the first time I have been inside this theater. We were seated on the balcony in the third row so we had a pretty good view of the stage. The Cadillac Theater is a beautiful theater located @ 151 W Randolph Street. There's is a parking garage 1/2 block down on Wells where there is a discounted rate for theater goers from 6pm - 11pm during the show. There's Cadillac Theater opened in 1926. It's a beautiful theater w/2300 seat venue supposedly modeled after The Palace of Versailles. I say supposedly because I've been there and I don't see the similarities. That being said the Cadillac theater is a beautiful theater. The seating is spread out so all of the seats have a good view of the stage. The theater is beautiful, the staging for the musical Les Miserable was very impressive w/the props & stage items changing seamlessly. Couple this w/an excellent performance & it was a very enjoyable evening

    Although the actual performance and show were great, what a horrible staff that works here (sans 1…read moreperson who actually helped). When we first arrived, upon checking our tickets, our tickets wouldn't scan/verify. The usher was getting frustrated with us for this, and made us go to the ticket booth to get our physical tickets. We showed the person the tickets on our phone, and she printed them out for us -- after several rounds of confusion on her part. She was so soft spoken (in a noisy theatre entrance) that it led to much confusion. After this, we had to "cut" back into the entrance line (the security guard was helpful here) and we got thru the gates, finally. Then this usher/ticket checker who scanned our tickets (the 2nd time) was literally yelling at us on which direction to go (not a yelling as in being loud, but yelling like we were stupid). I go the way he yells at me because he won't stop yelling at me to go the direction he points me in -- which is the wrong direction. We had orchestra seats and were headed there, but this usher/ticket checker was yelling at us to go up the stairs. Fine, maybe I'm wrong. We get upstairs, and the 2nd usher again points us in the wrong direction to go further upstairs. This is again incorrect. We are flustered and confused, and not sure what is going on. We finally reach the 3rd usher at the top of the stairs, and he finally points us in the correct direction. The ushers here (Sans the 3rd one) were incompetent and rude.

    Photos
    Cadillac Palace Theatre - Another inside picture

    Another inside picture

    Cadillac Palace Theatre - Where we're going, we definitely need roads.

    Where we're going, we definitely need roads.

    Cadillac Palace Theatre - Louis Armstrong play

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    Louis Armstrong play

    The Second City - UP theater

    The Second City

    4.1(1.4k reviews)
    2.5 miLincoln Park
    $$

    This was my first visit to The Second City and I can't wait to go back!…read more WHAT IS IT: This Chi town staple is a creative and fun theater that offers a rotation of improv and sketch comedy shows. The roster of well known Second City alumni includes greats like Tina Fey, Chris Farley, Amy Poehler, Chris Farley, Bill Murray and more. We saw Improv Supernova and what's great about this show is that no two performances are ever the same. WHERE IS IT: The Chicago location is in the historic Old Town neighborhood which has cute shops, cafes, and restaurants in the surrounding blocks. They also have locations in Toronto and NYC. PARKING and ACCESSIBILITY: There is a garage attached to Piper's Alley. They do not validate. There is also metered street parking which can be limited depending on the day and time. The building has elevators and escalators and the theater has wheelchair accessible seating. FOOD, DRINK, and MERCH: They offer fun cocktails, mocktails, wine, food items, and a selection of candy and snacks. You can also pick up cute merch such as mugs, glasses, shirts, sweaters, and hats.

    First time at an improv show, Second City was a recommendation from a friend…read more The place is really big & well decorated. We got reasonably priced tickets and headed up to the 3rd floor. The space was small and intimate but it was great being so close to the stage. Very cute little spot and fun activity with friends or a date.

    Photos
    The Second City - E.t.c. Theater

    E.t.c. Theater

    The Second City
    The Second City

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    Auditorium Theatre - theater - Updated May 2026

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