Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
tacky fun, but not for those with delicate sensibilities. Lately, the Factory has been
trying out serious dramatic works as well. But no matter what show you see, the
razor-sharp timing, enthusiasm, and camaraderie are infectious.
3504 N. Elston Ave.
&
312/409-3247.
www.factorytheater.com. Tickets $10-$15. Subway/El: Red Line to Addison,
then bus no. 152 (Addison St.).
Goodman Theatre
The Goodman is the dean of legitimate theaters in
Chicago. Under artistic director Robert Falls, the Goodman produces both orig-
inal productions—such as Horton Foote's
The Young Man from Atlanta
before it
went directly to Broadway—and familiar standards, including everything from
Shakespeare to musicals. Its acclaimed revival of Arthur Miller's
Death of a Sales-
man,
starring Brian Dennehy, not only made it to the Broadway stage in 1999,
but won four Tonys—more than any other production. The theater has nur-
tured the talents of solo artists such as John Leguizamo, and hosted such
acclaimed actors as Denzel Washington, William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, Chita
Rivera, and Rip Torn. Productions at the Goodman are always solid; you may
not see anything revolutionary, but you'll get some of the best actors in the city
and top-notch production values.
The Goodman's custom-designed home in the North Loop is a total-gut
rehab of the historic Harris and Selwyn theaters, a pair of former rococo movie
houses. But none of the historic bric-a-brac has been retained; the new building
has a very modern, minimalist feel (the side of the building glows with different
colors in the evenings). The centerpiece—the 830-seat Albert Ivar Goodman
Theatre—is a brand-new limestone-and-glass structure. Connected to the main
theater is another addition, a cylindrical, glass-walled building housing retail
operations, the 400-seat Owen Theatre, and restaurant Petterino's (p. 115).
One tradition that made the move to the Goodman's new home is the pro-
duction of
A Christmas Carol,
a perennial holiday draw.
170 N. Dearborn St.
&
312/
443-3800.
www.goodman-theatre.org. Tickets $30-$50 main stage, $10-$40 studio. Subway/El:
Red Line to Washington/State or Lake/State; Brown or Orange line to Clark/Lake.
The House Theatre
If you're looking for the newest up-and-coming
stars of Chicago theater, keep your eyes on The House. This group of young
actors takes on big themes (Harry Houdini and his obsession with death; the
space age tales of Ray Bradbury) and turns them into nonstop spectacles of
drama, music, and comedy. Despite the usual budget constraints, the sets and
special effects are impressive—as is the troupe's energy, imagination, and humor.
The House has only been around for a few years, but the buzz on this group is
only just beginning.
Office at 4305 N. Lincoln Ave.
&
312/525-0596.
www.thehousetheatre.
com. Tickets $10-$19. Performances at The Viaduct, 3111 N. Western Ave. Subway/El: Red Line to
Belmont, then bus no. 77 (Belmont Ave.).
Lookingglass Theatre Company
A rising star on the Chicago theatrical
scene, Lookingglass has a style all its own, producing original shows and unusual
literary adaptations in a highly physical and visually imaginative style. A recent
move to the tourist-friendly Water Tower Pumping Station at Chicago and
Michigan avenues raised its profile among out-of-towners (getting to a Look-
ingglass show is a cinch from downtown hotels). The company, founded more
than a decade ago by graduates of Northwestern University (including
Friend
David Schwimmer), stages several shows each year. Recent ones included
Meta-
morphoses,
a sublime and humorous modern recasting of Ovid's myths that
became a hit in New York; ensemble member Mary Zimmerman—who directed
the show—has built a national reputation for her creative interpretations of
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