Absolutely Electrifying!!! I just saw The Wiz at the James M. Nederlander Theatre and BABY... when I tell you this show is PURE JOY from start to finish!! The singing??? OUT OF THIS WORLD. Every single voice was powerful, soulful, and straight-up gave chills. You could feel the emotion in every note--gospel, R&B, soul... it was hitting on ALL levels. The costumes were a whole moment! Bright, bold, colorful, and creative--every scene felt like a visual celebration. Just beautiful to watch. And the dancing?? Whew! High-energy, sharp, and so fun. The choreography had the whole audience locked in--you can't help but move in your seat! This show is just FUN. It's vibrant, uplifting, and full of life. From the music to the movement to the storytelling, it pulls you in and doesn't let go. You walk out smiling, feeling good, and maybe even a little inspired. If you get the chance to see it--GO. Don't think about it, just go. Trust me, you'll be glad you did. read more

James M. Nederlander Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great theater. It's Majestic and beautifully designed and army. Vehicles are here and the bathrooms go by really fast and they have wonderful stoves here. read more

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Overall, I had a great experience here to see the Wiz! The show was amazing. I got there like 10 minutes or so before the show started so I was definitely pressed the time but I was able to come right on in cause I had a ticket already and so for me it pretty fast however much like everyone else it was pretty packed with people trying to get in so people are still coming in even after the show started. It did kind of feel like they, honestly, though we're under staffed in terms of having the hostesses at the doors to direct people to seats. I kinda have to find mine on my own, and I found a a stack of playbills on the floor on the that I was able to pick up which weird because usually someone is handing them out. The lines for the bathroom and drinks were extremely long...... great show and great seats however. read more

James M. Nederlander Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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After our Thanksgiving dinner, we headed over to the James M. Nederlander Theatre in Chicago to see Alicia Keys' Broadway show Hell's Kitchen -- and wow, what an experience! This was my first time at this theater and O. My. Gawd. The elegance hit me the second I walked in. The entire place is like stepping into a glamorous time capsule. Think ornate, gilded ceilings, rich and flamboyant architectural details, and walls that look like they were decorated for royalty. Massive, sparkling chandeliers hang overhead like they're showing off -- and honestly, they should. Everything felt extravagant in the best possible way. Now, a small downside: the women's bathroom on the second floor only has three stalls. During intermission the line was long, like "please don't let the curtain go up yet" long. I heard there's another restroom downstairs, so if you're a planner like me, maybe scope that out before the show starts. The staff and ushers were wonderful -- super attentive, helpful, and very observant. They kept everything running smoothly and made the whole experience feel welcoming. Definitely make sure you plan ahead for parking or valet, since downtown can get a little hectic, especially on show nights. Overall, this is a gorgeous, historic theater that knows how to make a night out feel magical. I can't wait to come back! read more

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What a beautiful Theatre! This was my first time visiting and I'll be back for more shows in the future. read more

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Oh my - this theater is so incredibly gorgeous that watching any show here is an absolute treat for the theater's beauty itself. I've been here twice in recent months - for Harry Potter and MJ. The seats are comfortable and have a good view / I was in orchestra both times, center the first time and far right the second time. This did seem to be somewhat obstructed view but not too bad. The sets were beautiful, the shows of course were spectacular, but I'm extra sensitive to the acoustics and I wonder if there's something they can do improve that. Also, the ushers were uncharacteristically impatient on a rainy day when people just needed a few minutes to prepare to go through the security. read more

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I arrived at the theatre about 30 minutes before the performance and was thankful that they allowed patrons to enter the building. This gave me time to look around and also use the restroom. Fortunately, there were plenty of stalls, and as a bonus, they were clean! Soap and towels were well stocked at the sink area. Water fountains were just outside the bathroom as well. I hadn't been to this theatre in decades and had forgotten its beauty - so ornate! Although the seating wasn't as tiered as I would have liked (to provide unencumbered viewing), it was at least staggered, so there wasn't a person exactly in front of me. I could easily see between the people in front of me. The seats themselves were roomy and comfortable, and there was a little leg room, too! Seeing a Broadway-on-tour show here was an overall wonderful experience! read more

James M. Nederlander Theatre - Playbill & stage - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Beautiful inside, ushers friendly, you are not getting a good drink, though. Inexperienced bartenders- well drinks only. No Manhattan or Martini for you. read more

Always a good time at the Nederlander theatre. Typically you can enter 30-minutes to an hour early, but double check before arriving, particularly when it's cold outside. There are a number of parking options in close walking distance. The theatre feels grand and is definitely an experience. Most recently, we went to Hell's Kitchen, which was great. The staff are helpful, the theatre is clean, the audio and other technical pieces have always been excellent when I've been there. Drinks and snacks are available for purchase. read more

James M. Nederlander Theatre - Quick group photo - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Just went here to see MJ: The Musical and knew I had to write a review on the theater! I've never been here before, but it was such a beautiful theatre! The interior is very gorgeous and luxe. I was very amazed by its beauty. The employees were very kind, helpful, and organized. As I'm sure all the ladies know, the line to the bathroom can get pretty crazy, but the employees kept it all under control. They have a couple bars and a few stands around to buy snacks from. I got a bag of pretzels and popcorn for $14. It's pricey, but I expect the upcharge from these entertainment venues. I'd love to attend another show here! I'm not a huge musical/play attendee, but this experience might've changed my mind! read more

A must visit theater to see the limited run of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child! When I found out this play was coming to Chicago, I had to go. I originally saw it in New York and it was just as good seeing it again. The theater is very clean with beautiful architecture inside. Since the Harry Potter play is here, they had quite a few places to take some fun photos. The concessions were also on theme too. Staff were very friendly and professional. During the intermission, they worked very hard to get everyone in and out of the bathrooms so they wouldn't miss the next act. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is playing here until February 1st, so make sure you see it before it leaves! read more

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Tickets for the touring production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child brought us to The Nederlander Theatre, and we were thrilled to be here. Note that there are multiple stairs to climb to the balcony seats but the view of the stage is well worth it. The cast did a great job and we had a wonderful time. read more

James M. Nederlander Theatre - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The theatre is SO cool. I came to watch Harry Potter with my family, and it was totally worth it. The theatre is clean, spacious, comfortable. If you have the chance to see a musical here, it's definitely worth coming (and the money). There are a ton of restaurants/shopping you can do before/after the show as well. read more

James M. Nederlander Theatre - Harry Potter and the cursed child - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Harry Potter and the Cursed Child I'm going to flex for a minute. I have seen Beauty and the beast , Alladin and both have amazing special effects- they DO NOT hold a candle here. The story is almost flawless with two exceptions, which I won't put in writing. When you've read the last paragraph of Book 7, watch the last movie of Harry Potter and seen your characters come and go that's pretty much the end of it. All you have is memories. Harry Potter and the cursed child allows you for two or three hours to go back to that world of magic and be mesmerized again. At times, people were sniffling during the show. If you're a fan you will have your moment. I absolutely positively fabulously enjoyed it. This opening night is SPECTACULAR, SPECTACULAR. The execution of the magic , the aerials , the quick change artist, the stunts, all the while weaving this story into a broadway play adaptation is truly amazing. I salute the actors, producers, directors etc etc. For Harry Potter fans, make the effort to watch this show - you'll thank me later! read more

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I have been to the Nederlander many times. It's a lovely theater! My issue is with the women's facilities. Each time I attend events here, nothing has changed. There is ALWAYS a huge line before, during and after the events, yet they have done nothing to remedy the situation. I suppose you could pay additional $ to have VIP access to lounge. I spent the additional money 3 visits ago. Guess what...there was a line there too, so that was a waste of money. Please people/owners do something! read more

I saw Harry Potter and the Cursed Child broadway here last night. The performances were incredible. The actors were outstanding. The theater is exceptional. It had some old charm, elegant chandeliers and grandeur entrance. The lighting, stage design, sound quality and overall production was too good. Some of the magic spells the actors performed with their wands were very immersive. had amazing seats. I sat in Orchestra R. The view of the stage was excellent. Overall ticket scanning, staff, seats, service was a positive experience. The seats can be cramped up a bit but once the play starts you'll be in total awe! read more

James M. Nederlander Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The seats were very small and there is no legroom. Im only 5'5 and I was very uncomfortable. Also dont buy Balcony Row A because the view of the stage is obstructed. read more

We had a great time watching the Harry Potter and cursed child play here. I do recommend going at least 45 mins before the show starts. We got orchestra centre seats and the view was amazing, there were no obstructions. read more

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Such a fun day for my daughter's birthday! We went to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The concessions were delicious and actually reasonably priced! The house red wine was delicious and the teens loved the cookies and popcorn!! The seats were comfortable and the production was amazing!! The hosts were so accommodating for my walker. They were so kind and helpful. The theater was very accessible for my walking disability. We had closer floor seats and the host took my walker and brought it back and forth during the intermission and after the show. And... you might recognize this theater from many of the Chicago Ghost tours... ask one of the hosts! read more

James M. Nederlander Theatre - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Promo Poster! - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, when I was on my teens. Me and my brother and friend, use to go to this once movie palace. The Oriental Theater on the same site, was the Iroquois Theater. In1903 it is a fire that happened, which killed over 602 people. It was the largest fire in american history, at the time. When your a kid you would, buy your popcorn, drink and candy. But as a kid you would never think, to walk around. They would show previews of movies, that were coming out on Friday. Then you watching movie come. If you have to go to the bathroom during, intermission you would go to the restroom. And then come back to your seat, and wait for the next movie. Once the movie was over you would leave, go get something to eat. But last October 18, 1925 the Chicago Architecture Center, had it open free to the public. I had missed the first Open House, but I said I wasn't going to miss this one. It was a day after my birthday, it was a nice birthday gift to tour it. I had not stepped inside the Oriental Theater, now renamed the James M. Nederlander Theater. It had to have been. I would say my early twenties, but when is open house. You don't have to pay to tour the theater, I walked inside the Grand lobby. And I was amazed of the beauty, because this is something that I didn't think to look at when I was a kid. I forgot what it look like, only to see it in pictures on the internet. But you were able to walk around, no tour guide. But I'm a photographer so, I just started taking pictures. Wide angle shots, as many as I could take. Because open house is once in a lifetime, you walk into the auditorium. It's massive huge bigger than your neighborhood theater, and Lester had one this size in your neighborhood. Back in the day. Day used to say we're going to the movies, not to the theaters.lol I walked around. Like I said, just fascinating, by the beauty the architecture. We wasn't allowed to go to the to the mezzanine, that was a disappointment. But other than that I had a good time, I took well over 100 and some great! pictures. The Oriental Theater. I will always call it that, regardless of the name change. Because when I was a kid that was the name, the Oriental Theater. The name was also changed to the Ford Center for the Performing Arts Oriental Theater. This theater they don't do tours, I don't understand why! not when it is closed. But the Chicago Theater they do chores, on Fridays and Saturdays. 12:00 p.m.. is $30 when I went and did the Marquee Tour. September of 2023. It was $20 coming for 2 hours. But I guess for $30 you get a 3-hour tour. That way you can see parts of the theater, that you don't get to see in a 2-hour tour. So the designer that design the Oriental Theater, is the same Chicago architectures names are Cornelius Rapp and George Rapp. One thing that I can say ending my comments, is you were never never movie palaces built like this in this lifetime ever. Ever. That's why! sometimes is feels good, When some of them are restored. One particular theater that I hope gets restored, because it's on the the National Registry of landmarks. This theater has been closed since December. Is also was designed by Rapp and Rapp, this Movie Palace name is. The Balaban and Katz Uptown Theater, Opened up on August 18, 1925. Last year on August 18, 2025, was it's 100th Anniversary. It was Balaban and Katz Crown Jewel Masterpiece, seat capacity 4,380. The owner said he wants to restore it, to his natural glamor. The seat capacity to 5,000, If you are a fan of theaters of the 1920's era. This is a book that came out last year, telling the history of the Uptown Theater. The name of the book is Uptown Endangered of A Movie Palace. I purchased the book last year, because I was part of the community portrait. Portrait. For the 100th Anniversary, The book cost $50. I got mines autographed by the author. It's a large book with black and white photos, of what the uptown look like when it opened in 1925. 1925. The photos are large, and then you have color photos. Of What the Uptown Theater look like in its present day, this theater was closed during half of its existence. And the cost of the book is worth every dollar, I hope this movie Palace gets open in my lifetime read more

Love this theater. Between this and Cadillac for my favorite Chicago theater. As a member of Broadway in Chicago I get to see a lot of different shows. I have been to the theater no less than 4 times. I am surprised that this is the first time that I am actually writing a review. At the theater I saw Tina, MJ the musical, Jagged Little Pill. I like how accessible this theater is to the blue and red line. In addition to that there are so many food options right across the street at Block 37. Several theater parking spots nearby, use spot hero to get a good deal. I would recommend the Dearborn for dinning if you need good bites before or after. For seating I do prefer the lower balcony area center. Not a bad view at all and you can totally see everything that's happening on the stage. Because this is a bigger theater I really would avoid sitting in upper balcony. If you are into theater I really would recommend checking out the Broadway in Chicago program they have great seasonal passes. In addition to that they do lotteries once a month for $25 tickets. read more

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I came to Chicago for my Birthday. My mom asked if I was seeing any shows. Truthfully, this was a foodie vacation and Broadway totally slipped my mind lol. I told myself that I would experience as much of Chicago as I could in a 5 day span, so seeing a show was indeed a must. The Nederlander is a short walk for all of the major hotels and Michigan Ave, which saved me money on ride shares. The theater was so beautiful. To be honest the way the theater is set up, all of the seats are good seats. The show I saw was Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. It was a great performance. I truly enjoyed myself. read more

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I really enjoyed this theater. We got balcony seats to see the Curse Child which I highly recommend. The acting was phenomenal and the special effects were amazing. This theater has so much history preserved in the architecture. read more

Great theater! It felt really special as soon as you walked in. We arrived about 30 minutes before showtime, grabbed some snacks, and headed to our seats. I grabbed a great deal on some tickets to watch HAMILTON. We had an excellent view from the 2nd row of the Loge Center. The entire cast and crew did a great job with the show as well. Highly recommend checking out a play here! read more

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STUNNING!! I saw Hamilton here with my fiancé and it was everything glorious and then some. The inside of this theater has a lot of historical details. It is absolutely beautiful and I'd come back to even just sit here and take in all the views. We sat in the balcony area - aisle R and had a great view. I'm almost positive anywhere you sit will be a great view. Hamilton started on time at 8pm and had about a 20 minute intermission. The event ended around 10:45pm. Staff members were friendly and helpful. They guided people to their seats and handed out playbills to each individual. Outdoor food and drinks are not permitted however they do offer items for purchase inside. read more

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Beautiful, iconic theater right in the heart of Chicago. It used to be called The Oriental Theater, and you can still see that history in the ornate decor. I've been fortunate enough to visit a few times for different shows, but most recently for Hamilton. Firstly, I normally buy tickets online but had some questions about the closed caption performance so I contacted Accessibility directly. They not only got back to me quickly, but were super helpful. Upon arrival, we needed to get a headset and that process was also very smooth. All of the ushers were friendly and efficient. While this theater originally opened in the 1920s, I felt the seats were still fairly comfortable even though they're pretty close together. Of course, the show itself was spectacular and the acoustics of the theater were very good. I only wish the intermission had been a tad bit longer, since the bathroom line was so long we ran out of time to get drinks. With that said , it is nice they offer some concessions. Overall, we had an unforgettable experience. Definitely don't miss the chance to go see a show at this magnificent theater. read more

James M. Nederlander Theatre - Stunning decor - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Came here for the first time to see the Harry Potter & the Cursed Child limited-time showing. I really enjoyed this venue and thought the seating arrangement was comfortable and made the experience memorable. We were in the back row of the first floor and it was easy access to get in and out, but still had a great view of the stage! read more

Update to this review. I just received a call from Broadway in Chicago to discuss my experience. Offered it was pretty well outlined in the review and they asked if I had experienced this before. Saying I had not Lydia said she would pass onto Operations. No apology just that they will find out who the usher was in that area for the show. Chance of my returning went down even more if that was possible! read more

Such a great venue. I know this used to be the Oriental Theater but now it's the Nederlander. It's a well surrounded venue that's walking distance to Italian Village, State Street, Michigan Avenue and lots of shopping. I brought my 11 year old here to watch "Wicked". The show was at 2pm and luckily I had purchased the parking garage space when I bought the tickets through Ticketmaster. I highly recommend this because the parking lot was literally next door to the Theater. The Theater is not that big and the seats are tight. I am a small person and the women next to me kept pushing her knee into my space. It was tight, warning. We were in the Orchestra seats. There was plenty of merch to buy which made my 11 year old happy. Also, BLICK ARTS is right next door, just fyi. read more

We came here to watch Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The play itself was really fun, they did an amazing job with the set design and utilizing special lighting effects. On top of an entertaining storyline, it was a magic show! This is not a musical, but there is still fun creative choreography and a lot of action. The theater itself is really beautiful, very ornate. On the second level that we were on, I do not think that there was a bad seat in the house. You can be vertically challenged and not worry if you are seated behind a tall person (at least from the upper levels - I can't say for the first floor). The show itself has absolutely huge props and special effects, you might actually want to sit on the higher level. Make sure that you arrive early as the show starts exactly at the time stated. I do want to give a special shout out the ushers, they were really friendly and extremely helpful. read more

James M. Nederlander Theatre - Outside of the theater - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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What a beautiful theater! So much splendor, drama and charm. From the marbling in the floors to the designs in the carpet. To the sculptures in the wall to the swinging chandeliers. The staff was absolutely amazing and took really good care of my group. Theodore was such a gentleman; careful to explain all of the details of our bonus service. Then there was Jilly who kept those drinks coming. The Proud Mary was pretty darn good! The special elevator to the Director's Circle, included an attendant that could also pass as a comedian. Made the short ride up pretty special. Tina Turner the musical was everything; the acting, the singing, the costumes and lighting. Wow. Opening night was priceless. read more

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Production: The Devil Wears Prada the Musical Music by: Elton John Seven years in the making but it still needs a lot of work if it hopes to open on Broadway. Don't hate but it needs to be Elton John fabulous, spectacular gay with all the attitude that entails. The adaption from the original movie to a musical, editing scenes and consolidating the plot while trying to increase the emotional drama is well done and makes sense to those of us who've seen the movie over 100x and can recite every line of dialogue. The weakness is the acting. Miranda Priestly's iconic "that's all", delivered without dismissiveness. The character of Andy Sachs, besides dressing the part and delivering the lines, doesn't ooze the IDGAF about fashion, this job is a means to an end passive aggressive attitude. Finally, Nigel Owens, a gay character and the one to perform Act 1's most hyped Elton John song isn't gay enough. Plain brown suit? How about maroon? Yellow? Red? Perhaps cerulean? A poor audio setup with questionable audio engineering, audio drop-off, mid range that has you cringing on power notes, and a lack of sharp clean bass further dulls the fabulousness to the point the Mama Mia'esque, audience on their feet sing and dance along becomes an "I can't wait for the curtain to end". Understanding this is live theatre and a new production so passes for missed lines and dancers almost falling. In the end, fans of the book, movie, and musical theatre will definitely find this production an interesting stepping stone to what could be an absolutely incredible Broadway show albeit with a lot of work. read more

James M. Nederlander Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is a gorgeous theater with a great parking garage nearby. Basically any seat in the orchestra level is a good seat here. We've seen a few shows here including Hamilton and everytime has been lovely. Only taking a star off from this review because the theater attendants, while helpful, can be disruptive with the amount of time they spent in the rows during the production. For example, I was seated at the end of a row and felt the attendant hovering by me for at least 15 minutes. Then, he started eating something and I could hear the crinkle of a wrapper by me. It was super distracting. I also feel in the u, v, w rows the acoustics could also be better. Otherwise, a very nice theater to see a production at!!! read more

What's not to love about this theater. Ample seating. Plenty of legroom. Multiple bar locations and they let you take snacks and water in to the theater....absurd. Easy to get to by any number of transportation methods. Centrally located so you can have a pre or post event drink or dinner. Seating at any location within provides a sweeping view of the stage. Orchestra pit in front as is typical in most Broadway style theaters. The size is definitely "on Broadway" seating over 2,000. Originally opened in 1926 the theater is resplendent in all types of handcrafted architecture that is a feast for the eyes. The theater is comfortable and has multiple restrooms on all levels. This is a great option to round out a Chicago weekend. Take in a play or musical and be charmed by the venue. read more

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I recently experienced Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the James Nedelander Theater in Chicago. The Nederlander Theater (formerly the Oriental) is stunning in it's rich color schemes and ornate sculptures. The downside, the seats are small and the seat aisles are very narrow. Making one feel like a sardine. The Harry Potter/HP play started off with a very quick opening and it never slowed down from there. It was almost like the characters were in a hurry to tell the story within the allotted time frame. Our seats were in the Loge Center and at times, I had to read the teleprompter located on the 1st floor to understand the dialogue. The effects which involved magic, characters disappearing/reappearing on stage and the floating Dementors were nice surprises. The moving stair cases were well choreographed. The overall story involving time travel and disrupting the outcome of the future was a predictable story line and has been told before. The play was 3 hours, 30 minutes long with a 20 minute intermission. HP treats were available for purchase which included a Butterbeer Chocolate Bar, Bertie Botts Jelly Beans and Magical Sweets. Nice Family outing. View from the 2nd floor was better than the 1st floor. read more

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Had gone to see the harry potter show. The show is for around 3hrs so be prepared! Limited snacks. Popcorn is for $6-$8, lil pricy, so safe bet, have dinner pre show. They have drinks so should be fine. The interior is very pretty too! read more

James M. Nederlander Theatre - Harry Potter - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Beautiful theater! Went on a Saturday afternoon to see Hamilton. Got there early but the doors don't open until an hour before the show. Upon entering, you go through a metal detector and they scan your ticket. It's pretty simple and easy. There are staff everywhere providing assistance, so it is very easy to find your seat. They also have seat cushions if you need additional cushioning for your seat. There are a lot of stairs, but they have elevators to accommodate those who can not take stairs. We were in the balcony but still had a good view. The theater website also offers pre-paid parking at a parking garage about a half block away which was very convenient.The theater was a good temperature and had good sound and lighting. The show was amazing which made for a wonderful experience! read more

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The Nederlander Theatre, built in 1926, was known as the Oriental Theatre for decades. Truthfully, it'll always be the Oriental Theatre to me. This beautiful gothic revival style theatre replaced an earlier theater venue, the Iroquois Theatre, which was the site of the deadliest theatre fire in U.S. history. The death toll reached over 600 hundred people, which was double the number of deaths from The Great Chicago Fire. It has housed many productions over the last several decades, but one of its more notable productions was "Wicked" which ran from 2005 through 2009. Seeing this production was my first experience here. Walking into the venue, it took my breath away. The grandeur was inspired by Indian architecture. It's truly a work of art. Just recently, I saw the production "To Kill a Mockingbird". While the theatre itself was of course amazing, the experience was not as one would hope. Dozens of people arrived late and had to be seated during the play. While I can't fault the theatre for that, the usher was incredibly loud while he seated all of these people. Enough that the audience repeatedly shushed him. Between the loud usher and racket from the opening and closing doors, it was extremely distracting. I can only hope that my next experience will be improved. I can't bear to give this place anything less than a 4-star, but it comes with a little reservation following this last experience. Please, get it together. read more

James M. Nederlander Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Good place to see the Harry Potter play Hope to see something else there More bathrooms than many of the older theaters read more

Saw Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the back in November. Aside from the fantastic play, the theatre itself was miraculous to take in! Would definitely go back to see another performance just for the theatre! read more

James M. Nederlander Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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