Thinking of seeing a show while you’re in Chicago?

“Chicago is a great theater town, so if you want to see one of the Broadway plays running at downtown venues or sample superb regional companies, it is smart to plan ahead”

A great tip from Local Assistance Committee members James Shedlock, Christine Frank, and Debra Werner! You can read more about Chicago theater and performing arts in their columns in the October and November/December issues of MLA News.

Two popular blockbusters are Wicked–the prequel to the Wizard of Oz–and Jersey Boys–the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Here are a few links to information about these shows and other theater options, many of which are within walking distance of the conference hotel.

For more information on what’s playing, see ChicagoPlays.com. Also check out Hottix, a source for half-price tickets for local theaters.

Cadillac Palace
What to see: Avenue Q (opens May 21)
Address: 151 West Randolph Street
Phone: 312-986-5853

Chicago Shakespeare Company
What to see: The Comedy of Errors
 Address: 800 East Grand Avenue (at Navy Pier)
Phone: 312-595-5600

Chicago Opera Theater
What to see: John Adams’s A Flowering Tree
 Address: 70 East Lake Street
Phone: 312-704-8414

Ford Center for Performing Arts / Oriental Theater
What to see: Wicked
 Address: 24 West Randolph Street
Phone: 312-977-1700

Goodman Theater
What to see: The Ballad of Emmett Till
 Address: 170 North Dearborn Street
Phone: 312-443-3800

Lookingglass Theatre Company
What to see: Around the World in 80 Days
 Address: 821 North Michigan Avenue
Phone: 312-337-0665

LaSalle Bank Theatre
What to see: Jersey Boys
 Address: 24 W Randolph St
Phone: 312-559-0220

Steppenwolf Theater
What to see: Dead Man’s Cell Phone
 Address: 1650 North Halstead Street (a cab ride from the Hyatt)
Phone: 312-335-1650

Hot Tix
Address: 72 East Randolph
AND
Address: 163 East Pearson, at Michigan Avenue (inside the Water Works Visitor Center)
Hours: Tu-Sa 10am-6pm, Su 11am-4pm

- Dianne Olsen, with additional links from Kristin Hitchcock