Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
carvings almost everywhere you look; dragons, elephants, and griffins peer down
at the audience from the gilded ceiling. The Palace features a profusion of Italian
marble surfaces and columns, gold-leaf accents a la Versailles, huge decorative mir-
rors, and crystal chandeliers.
Oriental Theatre: 24 W. Randolph St.
&
312/782-2004.
Palace
Theatre: 151 W. Randolph St.
&
312/384-1510.
Subway/El: Brown Line to Randolph.
Goodman Theatre
Chicago kids (and their parents) come back year after
year for the Goodman's annual production of
A Christmas Carol,
a Chicago hol-
iday tradition. The show runs from mid-November to the end of December.
Book well in advance; the run always sells out. It's a great way for families to
experience the Goodman's state-of-the-art theater complex in the heart of
Chicago's revitalized downtown theater district. The project was a total gut
rehab of the historic Harris and Selwyn theaters, a pair of former rococo movie
houses. None of the historic bric-a-brac was retained; the new building has a
very modern, minimalist feel (the side of the building glows with different col-
ors in the evenings). The centerpiece—the 830-seat Albert Ivar Goodman The-
atre—is a brand-new limestone-and-glass stucutre. Connected to the main
theater is another addition, a cylindrical, glass-walled building housing retail
operations, the 400-seat Owen Theatre, and Italian restaurant Petterino's. The
Goodman is the dean of legitimate theaters in Chicago, producing both original
productions and familiar standards, including everything from Shakespeare to
musicals. Productions at the Goodman are always solid; you may not see any-
thing revolutionary, but you'll get some of the best actors in the city.
During the season, the Goodman presents a Family Theatre Series, written
and performed for children, so call or check online for this season's offerings.
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.
North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie
This north sub-
urban theater is home to the well-respected Northlight Theater, the Skokie Val-
ley Symphony Orchestra, and a series of touring acts, including comics, dance
troupes, and children's programs.
9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie.
&
847/673-6300.
To reach
the theater, take the Edens Expwy. and exit at Old Orchard Rd.; go right onto Old Orchard; make
a right onto Skokie Blvd. The theater is at the intersection of Skokie Blvd. and Golf Rd.
Rosemont Theatre
A major venue for traveling shows, this is a top suburban
stop for musicals and concerts.
Radio City Christmas Spectacular Starring the Rock-
ettes
and
Bear and the Big Blue House
are recent offerings that have appealed to kids
of a wide age range.
5400 River Rd. in Rosemont, near O'Hare Airport.
&
847/671-5100.
Shubert Theatre
Built in 1906 as a home for vaudeville, today the Shubert
books mostly big-name musicals and sometimes comedy performers. A lot of
the musicals are great family fare, so you may well find yourself here. If you get
Finding a Better Seat
Most of Chicago's grand old theaters have balconies that go way, way up
toward the ceiling—and if you're stuck in the cheap seats, you'll be strain-
ing to see what's happening onstage. Although theaters are very strict
about checking tickets when you arrive, the ushers relax during intermis-
sion. So scope out empty seats during the first act, and then move down to
better (and much pricier) spots for the rest of the show.
Tips
