Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
theater, an English-style pub, and lobbies with commanding views of Lake Michi-
gan and the Chicago skyline. But what keeps subscribers coming back is the tal-
ented company of actors, including some of the finest Shakespeare performers in
the country.
The main theater presents three plays a year—almost always by the Bard—
with founder and artistic director Barbara Gaines usually directing one of the
shows. Chicago Shakespeare also hosts special short-run performances and
events, such as a recent production of
Hamlet
by acclaimed British director Peter
Brook and a lecture by British actor Derek Jacobi. Shakespeare Theatre sub-
scribers are very loyal, so snagging tickets can be a challenge; reserve well in
advance, if possible. If you have a choice of seats, avoid the upper balcony—the
tall chairs are uncomfortable and you have to lean way over the railing to see all
the action on stage—definitely not recommended for anyone with a fear of
heights.
800 E. Grand Ave.
&
312/595-5600.
www.chicagoshakes.com. Tickets $40-$62. Sub-
way/El: Red Line to Grand, then bus no. 29 to Navy Pier. Guaranteed parking in attached garage
at 40% discount.
Court Theatre
This 250-seat theater, affiliated with the University of
Chicago, started out heavily steeped in Molière but has branched into other clas-
sics of French literature, Shakespeare, and equally highbrow stuff—with some
Oscar Wilde and Noel Coward thrown in for fun. Court Theatre's actors are con-
sidered among the finest in the city, and with good reason; they turn classic texts
into vibrant, energetic live theater. Every spring, Court schedules two plays in
rotating repertoire, with the same cast performing in different shows on alternate
nights (with both shows presented Sun). It's a great way to glimpse the range of
the talented Court acting troupe.
5535 S. Ellis Ave. (at 55th St.).
&
773/753-4472.
www.courttheatre.org. Tickets $25-$50. Metra train to 57th St. stop.
Defiant Theatre
With a name like Defiant, it's pretty clear that this group
doesn't specialize in works by Noel Coward or Oscar Wilde. Indeed, the biggest
recent success for this 10-year-old company was
Action Movie: The Play,
an over-
the-top satire of violent movies, complete with on-stage car chases and alligator
wrestling. Other recent shows included adaptations of
Dracula, A Clockwork
Orange,
and Shakespeare's bloody
Titus Andronicus
—all emblematic of this com-
pany's taste for the dark and disturbing. But it's not just about shocking the
audience; Defiant's energetic, in-your-face style also gets them rave reviews.
5535
Office at 3540 N. Southport Ave.
&
773/409-0585.
www.defianttheatre.org. Tickets $15-$18.
Most performances at the Chopin Theater, 1543 W. Division St. Subway/El: Blue Line to Division.
ETA Creative Arts Foundation
Since 1971, this theater has been staging
original or seldom-seen dramatic works by African-American writers from
Chicago and beyond. Along with
Black Ensemble Theater
(which performs at
the Uptown Center Hull House, 4520 N. Beacon St.;
&
773/769-4451
), this is
one of the best African-American theater troupes in the city. The company stages
six plays a year in its 200-seat theater, including works geared toward children
performed on Saturday afternoons.
7558 S. Chicago Ave. (at 76th St.).
&
773/752-3955.
www.etacreativearts.org. Tickets $25. Subway/El: Red Line to 69th St., transfer to bus no. 30.
Factory Theater
This irreverent young troupe offers the quintessential low-
budget Chicago theater experience. The group specializes in original works writ-
ten by the ensemble, many of which are aimed at a young, nontheatrical crowd
(you're encouraged to bring your own beer and drink it during their late-night
shows). Their biggest hit (which they stage off and on throughout the year) is the
raunchy trailer-park potboiler
White Trash Wedding and a Funeral;
it's hilarious,
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