I found out about this little local treasure from a neighbor just in time to catch their last…read moreperformance of "Hairspray." Glad I did! The theater itself is intimate, with seating on three sides of the stage (reminded me of the one at the Watertower in Chicago); actors often enter/exit through the audience, which gives an "up-close-and-personal" feel, and they were very creative with the moveable sets and lighting. The acting was great! Even secondary characters were standouts (particularly Corny Collins, Mrs. Von Tussle and Motormouth Maybelle), but Tracy, her parents and the rest of the gang were all endearing and enjoyable to watch. Overall, for a quality performance without going far from home, BrightSide is a solid choice for a musical matinee!

I took my little one here to see Beauty and the Beast and was thoroughly impressed with what a…read morequality production it was for such a tiny venue. The costumes, set, talent and choreography were much better than I anticipated for a community theatre. A nice surprise because previous to the show, I was thinking the $27 tickets were outrageous. But when the lights went out and the show began, it didn't take long to see the I had misjudged this little theatre. While it is a very small venue, you can't discount the fact that if it's a production for a young one, they are getting a great taste of the theatre, while sitting closer than they will likely ever sit in a larger scale production. Brightside Theatre is a great addition to the Naperville community.

The McAninch Arts Center (MAC) at College of DuPage (COD) in Glen Ellyn, IL, is a vibrant hub for…read morethe performing and visual arts, offering an array of professional theater, music, dance, comedy, and family-friendly performances. While the MAC hosts a wide range of cultural programming year-round, what has drawn us back time and again, now three times, are their exceptional, large-scale art exhibitions, presented every two years. The most recent of these is the 2025 exhibition Hokusai and Ukiyo-e: The Floating World (on view from May 31 to September 21). This immersive experience transports visitors to the lively and refined world of 17th-century Edo-period Japan. The exhibit vividly captures a time when Edo (present-day Tokyo) thrived as the cultural and economic heart of the nation, defined by its devotion to the arts, nature, and the pleasures of daily life. A highlight of the exhibition is the U.S. debut of the Museum Galleries - Chiossone Collection, featuring a remarkable 70-piece selection of ukiyo-e masterpieces. Among these are 53 original paintings and woodblock prints by renowned artists such as Hokusai and Hiroshige, alongside 17 beautifully crafted objects. Together, they offer a captivating window into Japan's "floating world." The MAC consistently excels in delivering these world-class exhibitions. The experience is not only visually stunning but also engaging and educational. The staff are welcoming, knowledgeable, and always ready to enhance your visit. Last, but not the least, there is a very nice gift shop there. We bought some cute Japanese noodles and rice bowls with the "floating world" art theme from the gift shop. Attending an art exhibition there is truly a joy, and we look forward to each new one.

We came for the Hokusai exhibit on a Friday. It was a little hard to find, the address on the flyer…read moredidn't direct us to the right area. Saw some signs near campus but not enough. Was finally able to find it by searching McAninch Arts Center (MAC). The exhibit is cool, loved the eki (train station) stamps for the passport you're given. I wasn't expecting much and it lived up to expectations. After experiencing it do I think it was worth the $27/per person admission? Not for me. But it's still cool and definitely worth a visit if you're an art enthusiast.

Theater of Western Springs is a wonderful night out where you can see a play that is as good as and…read moresometimes better than seeing a play on Broadway - and I have been to NYC. The actors are really good. Set's are professional, acting is stellar. Price of tickets is very very reasonable. If you want a fun night out, subscribe to TWS - please support this local theater.

The joy of participating in live theatre has been sucked out. Politics has taken over and only the…read more"chosen" can survive. After years of diligent volunteerism being snubbed for the last time has taken its toll. Don't go here to be seen, heard or developed. If you're not "golden" you're "gone."

Nice little quaint theater. We went here as we had a relative who was appearing in the play "the…read moreLittle Mermaid" . She did a very nice job, and seemed to be well received by her coworkers, and the audience. Finding Wheaton Drama was a little hard, and parking was a little tight, I didn't mind the walk. But the employees there were very friendly, and enthusiastic. Nothing there was overly priced or outrageous. I would go again. As I said before, the theater is a little on the smaller side and people in the front row tend to find themselves actually walking on the stage as they enter & exit which almost seems rather discourteous since they have lines painted on the floor. I just think that that's bad luck even though it's concrete and it's painted, I tried to make sure that I was definitely off the designated stage area because I think thats asking for bad karma. But in today's world , people are so full of themselves that there are no boundaries anymore.

Went to see Something Rotten tonight-what a terrific show. The acting, singing and comedy was…read morereally top notch. We came home and subscribed immediately to the 2026-2027 season. It is only our second visit to this theater and they have excelled a second time. Thank you Wheaton Drama for a really enjoyable show!

I went to watch Les Miserables by Schaumburg On Stage as I'd recently missed the national tour in…read moredowntown Chicago. Realizing that Drury Lane and Paramount had done their version a few years back and Marriott Theatre had done it a bit before that, I wanted to watch a live version in case I can't make the next big stop in Milwaukee. I watch quite a bit of theatre, both professional and amateur. Not sure why, but until this show -- I wasn't aware of Schaumburg on Stage which has been around since 2016. To my surprise, the quality of the production was similar in quality to other highly acclaimed groups like the District 214 all-district group (which recently did The Wedding Singer). Here were my thoughts on various aspects of the show: Staging: It really surprised me how many sets were used in the show and how they were fully functional. They were designed and painted well and items were hardly reused. They also did a very good job of quickly changing sets to make sure the showtime was kept to a reasonable length. Vocals: Two things I like about this. One is how they kept the complex harmonies -- which worked great in group songs. The overall balance lacked baritone and bass voices, but that's expected with younger actors. I also liked how they did not shy away from the challenge of the very high notes for male or female leads. They could have easily changed the key, but it's great to see them embrace the challenge. Orchestra: A bit smaller, not sure if it's due to space limitations or that's the way the school version is written. A bit more reliant on piano and common woodwind/string instruments than the full version. I did like how they played at a level not to overpower the vocals. Lighting and fog: I liked all the varieties of lights used. Not just in general stage lighting from the top, but also from lights on the side and spotlights. There were quite a bit of variations on lighting, which helped to tell the story. I did not like the excessive use of stage fog though, which tended to linger for more than a single scene. Overall, a great group to watch a show from. It's much better than the typical amateur group and prices are very reasonable. It's also great how they incorporate actors and actresses from all different ages and help them to build interest in theatre. Based on the quality of this performance, I can't wait to watch another show when they get a new digital microphone system.

The experienced people at SOS really see the value and potential in each kid. They are like family…read morein that they really connect and care, but they also hold the kids to a high standard and help them achieve it. This is definitely a step up from park district community theater in both production quality and experience.

this is one of my favorite theatres in the western suburbs. It's deceptively small (it actually…read moreholds 75 seats) and they have a fun mix of shows. I've both performed and directed there, and I regularly work box office. They are a fun group of people dedicated to bringing local theatre to the community - and with Paramount literally around the corner, they have good company in that endeavor. Tickets are inexpensive, there's not a bad seat in the house, and it's easy to get involved as a volunteer or an actor with 5-6 shows running throughout the year.

Riverfront, it has been too long!…read more When you first enter the lobby you're in for a healthy helping of kitsch. Arrive early if you can and get ready for a feast for the eyes. Ask questions, there's a great story behind everything. As for the performances, colorful, unique and fun. The actors and actresses here are talented. And since any seat is close to the stage, each performance is intimate. Don't miss this gem!

Enjoyed my visit to Drury Lane earlier in the summer for Nunsense! Having lived in the City of…read moreChicago for a long time, I can't believe I had to move to Wisconsin to finally see a show here! The theater is large and gorgeous! The production was great as well as the acting and singing. Lunch or dinner and a show? Drury Lane gotchu. They've got a restaurant on site, as well as a bar, and ample lounge area to enjoy a drink during intermission. There are also plenty of restaurant options within 5 minutes drive, so make a date if it! So glad I'm more aware of this theater powerhouse in the Chicago suburbs.

Once again I'm reviewing the stage performance and not the restaurant…read more Son and I saw Nunsense last night. What a fun and funny show. The small cast was perfect and great to watch. The stage was wild to see and needed a bit of explaining which was done immediately. The voices all worked perfectly together. It was laugh out loud funny--even though I didn't fully understand some of the Catholic school references (I'm Jewish). It was irreverent, too, with some of the innuendos. Loved it!!

I had been here a few years ago to see The Producers with my husband, since I knew he'd love it…read more(and he did). This theatre consistently provides excellent experiences with top-tier quality shows, often drawing from local and Broadway talent alike. However crowded theatres get in downtown Chicago, and however surly their employees can be at times, the Paramount is the opposite on both counts. What a breath of fresh air! Better yet, the sightlines are terrific. Even in the very back, you have a great view of the stage, and the seats' heights are staggered enough where short people's views aren't easily blocked. Although the Paramount is quite far from where I live, so it's not a super frequent visit for me, that is not due to any lack of quality in terms of the experience or shows!

I had an amazing experience at the Paramount Theater! I went to see The Full Monty, and it exceeded…read moreall my expectations. The venue itself is beautiful, with great acoustics and a classic atmosphere that really adds to the overall experience. The performance was fantastic, funny, energetic, and surprisingly heartfelt. The cast did an incredible job, and the production quality was top-notch. You could tell a lot of effort went into every detail. Staff were friendly and helpful, and everything from entry to seating was smooth and well-organized. I can't wait to come back for another show!

Really great theater at an affordable price! Great performances in a lovely, intimate space.read more

For an inexpensive, fun night out try this community theater group! They perform at the Lincoln…read moreCenter in Downers Grove and present one musical and two plays a year. I enjoyed their last couple of shows, and I'm definitely going to see "Oliver!" in November.

BFAC hosted the Applause Talent dance competition on March 7, 2020. The venue was too small for…read morethis event. Parking was at 110% capacity with every possible curb utilized. The main seating area was packed. Yet, they were reluctant to open the balcony. To cap it all off, a dumpster behind the facility caught fire. People were sprinting out the doors to move their cars. The fire department came and put it out. But, then the HVAC system started to pull smoke into the auditorium. Everyone reeked of a fire smell. Just a terrible experience. My advice to BFAC - know your limits.

The Batavia Fine Arts Centre is a quaint venue. The…read moreacoustics and lighting are great. I went to see Divas3, they were amazing.