The Chicago Theatre

Address:	175 N State St, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Phone:	+1 312-462-6300
Site:	thechicagotheatre.com
Rating:	4.6

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 5

Bob Franco

I honestly thought the end of my trip could have a chance at being relaxing and enjoyable. Oh, how I was wrong. This was just the icing on the cake of terribleness I needed on May 27, the last day of my unorthodox and unpleasant trip to Chicago. I went here after someone in my hotel sold me tickets to the Mel Brooks show the day of because they had to be somewhere else last minute because of a family emergency involving a blowtorch and a Nigerian prince. I was stuck in Chicago and had to book another flight for Sunday morning because of a very weird experience the day before that I struggle to remember vividly. So, I went to this show, thinking, "Oh good, Mel Brooks. This should be a normal, fun time for once." Nope! When I set foot in the theater I was overcome with a stench that I can only describe as death. When I looked up at the ceiling in the entrance, there hung a dead cow! It promptly fell onto the floor and exploded, releasing the same smell but 10 times more intense. Then another two cows I didnt see before because of the poor lighting fell and did the same. It was awful. The staff did nothing. Not a good sign. When I sat down to watch the Mel Brooks show, the show started off decent enough, but then Mel Brooks hands, feet, and nose grew exponentially until they had ballooned to the size of volleyballs, no exaggeration. He then levitated, flew over to me, and proceeded to eat a large grapefruit over me as it dripped onto my face. The audience laughed. I suppose it was a little funny, but at my expense. Next thing I know Mel is flying all over the theater, until he just disappeared and three old ladies with axes for hands started doing an odd routine on the stage with no clothes on. The act consisted of using their ax hands to break the stage until it looked like a pile of mulch. This took four hours WITHOUT an intermission. Im amazed I stayed. When I left the theater five men walked up to me, kissed me on the lips one after the other, and then licked the tops of my shoes as I made my way to the door. I tried hard not to kick their faces as they shined my sneakers while I struggled to walk, tolerating that dead cow smell—all three cows were still dead in the lobby. I told the shoe lickers to stop but gibberish seemed to be their native language, so I dont think my pleas got through. Once I stepped out the doors they finally stopped and went their separate ways, making crow noises just like every other person or creature in this weird city. Never coming back, and it was a very terrible way to end my trip. Chicago is one strange land. I dont get why, because everything Ive seen or read led me to believe the citys pretty normal, but my experience was a true nightmare of epic proportions from start to finish. Thanks.

Anthony Martorina

This is my favorite theater in Chicago for many reasons! First it is iconic on State Street. It just glows and sparkles for everyone to see. It also is a great place to take a photo. Get a photo here and no one will say to you, "So where was this taken?" Second, there have been some amazing shows here too. And these shows range from musicals to magic shows to rock concerts. Some of my favorite shows here have been: The Gypsy Kings - They rocked out the stage. It seemed like there were 15 guys playing acoustic guitar and the lights were flashing and everyone was dancing on there seats. The theater was full of amazing happy energy. David Copperfield - Disappeared from stage and appeared in the middle of theater on a motorcycle. I know it is all and illusion but that was really incredible to see. Donnie Osmond in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" - honestly I think that show ran for like 10 years. It was the show that electrified the city and brought back real broadway shows to Chicago. Donnie owned the city and could do no wrong. So that is my short list of some of the amazing acts and talents I have seen here and I know there are many more shows to see. New York has Broadway but I hate to tell them Chicago has Broadway too!

A Private User

The Chicago Theatre is, indeed, a gorgeous theatre! One of the most beautiful Ive seen. However, thats where it ends. I visited the theatre on my recent trip to Chicago and saw Cirques Banana Shpeel. Aside from the show being horrible, I was wholly not impressed with the theatre itself. I picked up my will call tickets from the box office early in the day (on a Wednesday) stood in line forever before being "serviced" by a rude snotty guy. Thats fine, no big deal. But when we arrived at the show the staff was so uninviting I wanted to crawl under my chair. Except there would be absolutely no room as there was barely enough room for me to sit on top of the chair, much less under it. Besides most of the chairs seemed broken or in various states of disrepair. And the sound system was so incredibly loud. Albeit this could have been the shows fault and not the theatre but it was almost to the point of deafening. With all the small children in the audience, I hope their parents brought ear plugs. Conversely, I saw a show two days earlier at the Oriental Theatre and was truly wowed. It is as beautiful and ornate as the Chicago but much more comfortable and inviting.... like a theatre should be.

Meagan Panici

Gorgeous, state of the art Theater in downtown Chicago. The building itself is breathtaking. The reliefs inside are astounding as well as the chandeliers that hang from the ceiling. They offer tours here and offer great history about the theater. I have seen countless shows here: David Byrne and St. Vincent, Trailer Park Boys, and Neil Young just to name a few. Everyone has been outstanding. The seating is great - there is not a bad spot in the house. The main floor offers extensive sight lines. Chairs are red velvet, which gives the house a very Lynchian feeling. What was really great about this venue is that when I saw David Byrne and St. Vincent, the staff allowed people who wanted to wait by their tour bus for autographs to do so! I hung around outside for over an hour and a half, but after much waiting one of my biggest dreams came true--- I GOT TO MEET DAVID BYRNE! My hero! One of the staff even offered to take a picture of the amazing moment for me. It was a top notch evening at a top notch theater!

A Private User

The theatre is beautiful, and the view of the stage is great, but after seeing 3 shows here in the past couple of years, I will not go back unless it is something I REALLY want to see- and maybe not even then. If you are just looking for something to do, and you dont have a show picked out, go someplace else. I wont say that all of the staff is rude, because there are a couple who were very friendly and helpful (and appreciated) but on the whole, it is unbelievably and consistently horrible. I dont mean in dealing with difficult people either- just in working with people in general, the lack of courtesy I have experienced and witnessed would be unacceptable at any other place of employment, and I dont know why it is here. I dont dare ask a question out of fear of being barked at- not really what Im looking for on a relaxing night out. Try pretty much any other venue in Chicagoland, and youll have a more enjoyable experience.