Chicago After Dark - Chicago - page 153

Goodman Theatre The Goodman, under artistic director
Robert Falls, is the dean of legitimate theaters in Chicago. Produc-
tions 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
rehab of the historic Harris and Selwyn theaters, a pair of rococo for-
mer movie houses, but the renovation retained none of the historic
bric-a-brac; the new structure has a modern, minimalist feel (the side
of the building glows with different colors in the evenings). The cen-
terpiece is the 830-seat limestone-and-glass Albert Ivar Goodman
Theatre. Connected to the main theater is a cylindrical, glass-walled
building that houses retail operations, the 400-seat Owen Theatre,
and the restaurant Petterino's.
Every December, the Goodman stages a production of A Christmas
Carol, which draws families from throughout the Chicago area and
beyond. If you're in town then, it's great fun, but buy your tickets
in advance, because many performances sell out. 170 N. Dearborn St.
& 312/443 - 3800. www.goodman-theatre.org. Tickets $10-$68. 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 up-and-com-
ing 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 impres-
sive—as is the troupe's energy, imagination, and humor. Office: 4700 N.
Ravenswood Ave. & 773/251 - 2195. www.thehousetheatre.com. Tickets $17-$22.
Performances: 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 produces original shows and
unusual literary adaptations in a highly physical and visually imagi-
native style. (Its location in the Water Tower Pumping Station—just
off Michigan Ave. and within walking distance of many downtown
hotels—makes it especially visitor-friendly.) The company, founded
more than a decade ago by graduates of Northwestern University
(including Friends alum David Schwimmer), stages several shows
each year. Recent offerings included Metamorphoses, a sublime and

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