Beautiful building that holds a massive amount of people. They do a wonderful job on up keep…read more We saw to Operas this past weekend and the staging was amazing. I did think the sound could have been a bit better though.

TL; DR: Beautiful building and great performance…read more Went to see Cosí Fan Tutte and it was an amazing experience. The staff who work there are a delight and the performance itself was a knockout. The building is stunning, so if you have never been, I would suggest seeing it at least once in your life!

Beautiful building, been here for several performances. Friendly staff. Usually use SpotHero to…read morefind a decent priced parking nearby. Holds about 3,500 people I believe, so the lines for drinks etc can get very crowded. The trick for entry is to use the side entrance which has 3 security lines and moves fairly quickly.

The Chicago Theater is a beautiful landmark to see a show. The inside is inspired by French…read morearchitecture with crystal chandelier, several murals and a grand staircase. 5/5 stars for the entry process! Security and bag check moved incredibly fast and were very well-organized. We had seats on the main floor and they were surprisingly roomy, and even from the side, the view of the stage was great. This is a great venue to see a show.

I've only been to one of their productions, and that was at the Aethaneum, so take this with a…read moregrain of salt. The production was good, definitely not very good or great. This company is a helpful launching pad for singers who are working to become full-time professional opera singers. My husband and I saw one of the Handel operas, and the singing, with the exception of the soprano lead, had a ways to go. The acting also wasn't so great - the performers seemed more focused on vocal tehnique. I'm a bit of an opera buff, but my husband isn't, and it was hard for him. Handel opera isn't especially approachable, so that might have been my poor judgment call. We both enjoy the Lyric much more (although he likes to get 40 winks there too). But the Lyric certainly has a larger budget for singers, sets, etc. This is not an inspired regional opera company, but a solid one.

I scored dress rehearsal tickets to a few of Chicago Opera Theater's upcoming shows. Last night, my…read moresister and I went to see La Clemenza di Tito. I'm no opera expert, but I can definitely appreciate it. The performance was beautiful. The music was unbelievably powerful and the interpretation somewhat modern (though I'm merely speculating). I'm a photographer, and I found myself in utter awe of the sets and of the lighting. Everything about it was so dramatic and full of contrast and just fit the performance to a T! The Harris theater itself is not at all what I expected. It's very modern, almost cold feeling, with very few embellishments or visual distractions one might expect from a theater. Not saying this is good or bad. Just is. In a sense, I suppose it helped keep the focus where it belongs: on the stage. Overall, a wonderful experiences. Can't wait until the next show!

I'm not the biggest fan of theatrical opera, but it was pretty cool seeing Phantom of the Opera…read more The singing ranges and execution of the performers is crazy good. My rating is based on what my gf thought of it (she really liked it).

Weak cast the Phantom one of the worst that I have seen and christina very sweet but voice needs…read moremore I have seen each variation of Phantom of the opera And this one clearly was just to make money

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.

I had the great pleasure of joining Larry Axelrod for Opera Adventures in both Santa Fe, New Mexico…read moreand Munchen, Germany. I'll be honest - he had his work cut out for him with me; although I am a product of true opera nuts (My parents, who had been cult followers of Larry's from back in the Ghost Ranch days, followed him to his solo venture, and now my 91 year old Dad - in his solo venture - continues to join Larry's great group of enthusiasts when and where he is able), I was concerned I was adopted because I would not at all describe myself as an opera fan! However, such are Mr. Axelrod's personal charms and skills that he is able to entertain and make cohesive a very diverse group of people. He keeps his groups small enough that one doesn't feel overwhelmed but large enough to feel freedom. He is able to relate in his trademark intelligent, low key, and genuine way to each person as an individual. Example: In Santa Fe, i elected not to attend his very informative opera seminars (which my sister and father LOVE) and Larry knew I liked to hike, so he loaned my partner and I a book on local hikes. Who does that. That is exactly the kind of unassuming and thoughtful person he is. He is also an incredibly talented musician and composer and can interact with the most avid opera aficionado as well as a "lay person" like me (though I am an instrumentalist and also know something about music but...not in his league). Larry's presence is soothing - never overbearing or ostentatious, and it's such a pleasure to be around him that frankly I've left both trips feeling as if I spent it with a friend. The varied group he attracts is another part of his "opera adventures" charm - attendees I've had the pleasure to spend time with are all unique, substantive, and have great senses of humor, and many come back for repeat and new trips. Some of these are long time followers like my parents and celebrate a kind of reunion when they meet, and they also welcome newcomers like me with ease. I am so thankful for the experiences I've had on Larry's opera adventures, and even though (cover your ears Larry) I did a giant eye roll in my brain when my dad initially invited me on my first trip to Santa Fe, it changed my life and I am so glad Larry was our leader. Larry is a star in a world full of wannabes. I'm so glad I've shared music and broken bread with such a good soul.

Some opera tours make the most expensive arrangements and charge accordingly. By contrast, Opera…read moreAdventures costs less but delivers solid value - you get the operas and Larry's informed commentary. Larry also pulls in someone of added knowledge, once even the composer of a scheduled opera, and as a bonus attracts a likable group of opera fans. My wife and I are repeat customers.

Hands down a MUST-see experience! I reached out to Opera in Focus months ago to plan a group outing…read morefor my wedding party. Justin, who was our main contact with Opera in Focus, helped me plan a completely custom experience. They let us schedule a private performance just for my group, on a date and time that they aren't normally open to the public. Having a performance only for my group made it extra special to me. We saw Phantom of the Opera and we loved every moment! The puppets, the music, the lighting and set design, were all works of art. Justin and the whole troupe were so talented and kind. This was the first activity my group did on our wedding day (Oct 18, 2025) and it will be something we will never forget. If we didn't live 5 hours away, I'd make this a monthly activity! They switch up their performances year-round. Don't hesitate, get your tickets to Opera in Focus and keep their magic alive for generations to come!

I went with groups from the Rolling Meadows and Itasca Park Districts to see the opera "Hansel and…read moreGretel," written by the German composer Engelbert Humperdinck in 1892. There's a twist, though, and not just in the plot. All the actors are puppets! And not marionettes - they are uniquely articulated rod puppets; the only puppets in the world of their kind. I've wanted to do this for 30 years (they are celebrating their 67th anniversary!) and finally did. You have to see this - it is incredible! Their repertoire is extensive. They even have a maestro for the "orchestra" and a hidden "phantom of the opera" in one of the boxes. The backstage tour was cool, too. And we got gingerbread cookies (not made out of children)! Performances are weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays and tickets start at only $14!

I would like to sincerely thank the staff at the Auditorium theater for their assistance in keeping…read moreme safe at the Lily Allen concert on 4/4/2026. Xylan, Rayna, and Giesla made every attempt to get me back to my home after I was left alone at the concert in an unsafe situation. If it wasn't for them, I don't know what would have happened, but I was able to get home safely. I extend my deepest apologies for the disruption that I caused. Those three people may have saved my life that night, and for that I am eternally grateful. If a raise is available, all 3 of them deserve it, or some other form of recognition. They were respectful and tolerant, the ambiance and environment were supportive and exciting, and I feel truly blessed to have received their assistance. God bless you. Sincerely, Kate

Built in 1889, this is an absolutely stunning theatre. We attended a Raye concert and was not only…read moresurprised by the sheer size of the space but it is both visually stunning as well as acoustically amazing. It is 5 stories with balconies cantilevered over the main floor. Just a heads up that drinks/booze isn't available on every floor. The line moved quickly and the number of attendants available make quick work of guests trying to find their seats. The stairs are steep so hold off on the 4th or 5th beverage! A great place to watch a show.

We saw the best production of the Merry Wives of Windsor at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater! (May…read more2026). We've seen two other excellent versions in other cities, and this one was spectacular. They brought the action into the 20th century.  The words stayed the same, but the jokes took on new meaning for the modern audience.  They also had the best Falstaff ever.  He was always our favorite character, but this one takes keg.  Er, I mean takes the cake :-) The acting was particularly engaging, and the audience really responded to it.  At one point, a drink tray sailed off the stage and into the audience, no harm no foul, and as if it was scripted, an audience member slid the tray back onto the stage amidst much cheering and applause.   The staging was great, with two trap doors (and sound effects of falling bodies!). The stage was complete with a very modern doorbell!  And, yes, it did "ring". As an added bonus, one of the two characters who rode bikes onto the stage was brandishing a sword. Shakespeare meets Cirque? It was a hugely fun production in a lovely comfortable multi-tiered theater. Every seat has a good view of the stage. Chicago Shakespeare Theater is out on Navy pier, past the colorful cartoon-like statue of Flyboy, "The Great Debate", by Hebru Brantley!

I've been seeing plays at Shakespeare theater for decades and they're always brilliantly directed…read moreand acted. This time we saw Merry Wives of Windsor and none of us expected it to be almost rolling in the aisles funny. The audience was in stitches. The sets and costumes helped add context. But what really made it beyond 5 stars was a very helpful and gracious manager. My elderly mother was seated across the aisle from me and took out her hearing aids. She didn't realize that by holding them on one hand, their closeness would create feedback. I couldn't tell what the eerie sound was and assumed it was someone else's phone. Luckily the experienced manager figured it out and quietly asked her to put the hearing aids away without shaming her nor causing any disruption. We appreciated his grace in this embarrassing situation.

Thank the Sultans of Groupon, and the Board of the Chicago Phiharmonic Orchestra, who allowed me to…read morepurchase a ticket for Sunday's concert at Pick-Staiger Hall. Called "Going for Baroque", it featured (no surprise here, from the title) mostly music of the Baroque period. The concert consisted of Baroque masters J.S. Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, George Frideric Handl, and the almost-classical but mostly baroque Carl Phillip Emanuel Bach. The orchestra, according to the website, draws many of its members from the Lyric Opera Orchestra, as well as other career musicians from the Chicago area. If you are a true Baroque purist, you should be aware that this concert was performed on modern instruments. Some people apparently think that period pieces should be performed on period instruments, so that the modern audience can get closer to hearing what Antonio Vivaldi heard. For example, an absolutely wonderful piccolo player named Alyce Johnson performed pieces that were originally written for the sopranino recorder. It ain't what Vivaldi heard, not exactly, but who cares? I like hearing original instruments, but this was really good, too. I enjoyed this group, and the musical selections, very much. While some compositions from this group of Baroque composers are familiar, the Chicago Philharmonic dug a little deeper into the repertoire for Sunday's concert. The guest conductor and harpsichorist was David Schrader. Along with his musical duties, he also offered a brief history and background of the selected compositions, and I liked that, too. While I really enjoy Baroque and classical music, I am most definitely not a scholar. Getting a little more information broadened my knowledge and enriched the musical experience. And for you Groupon-aholics, I had absolutely no problem redeeming my Groupon. It was a delightful evening. I highly recommend the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra. Even if you have to pay full price.

Breathtaking and Spectacular performance. The audience was enthralled with the orchestra for their…read moreinnovation!