Image Commercially Licensed From: DepositPhotos
Biograph Theater: Where Infamy Meets Entertainment
The Biograph Theater, nestled in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood since 1914, holds a captivating history. Notorious gangster John Dillinger met his end here in a 1934 shootout with the FBI. Despite its association with this dark episode, the Biograph remained a famous movie house until the 1970s, earning its place on the National Register of Historic Places and as a Chicago Landmark in 2001.
Chopin Theater: A Nickelodeon’s Revival
Discover the Chopin theater, an enduring symbol of Chicago’s west side Polish community since 1918. Initially a nickelodeon, it underwent various transformations, finding new life in 1990 under the ownership of Polish immigrant Zygmunt Dyrkacz. Restored to its former glory, the Chopin Theater now hosts over 500 events annually, showcasing a rich tapestry of Eastern and Central European performances.
Auditorium Theater: A Landmark of Elegance and Acoustics
Chicago’s South Loop boasts the Auditorium Theater, a National Historic Landmark renowned for its acoustics and innovative design. Opened in 1889, it initially stood as the city’s tallest building. After a period of neglect post-Great Depression, a massive restoration project revived the venue in 1967. Today, it continues to host a diverse array of performances, attracting renowned figures from Stevie Wonder to David Byrne.
The Second City: Pioneering Comedy on Wells Street
1959, The Second City revolutionized comedy in a small cabaret theater on Wells Street. Birthed during the vibrant era of Piper’s Alley, this innovative space became a breeding ground for improv. The Second City’s original location has expanded to include seven theaters, a Training Center, administrative offices, and the 1959 Kitchen and Bar.
Theater on the Lake: From Sanitarium to Cultural Hub
Built on Lake Michigan’s shores in 1920 as a sanitarium, Theater on the Lake served a noble cause by providing free healthcare for over 30,000 children. After its closure in 1939, it underwent a $7 million restoration in 2017, transforming into an event space and a year-round restaurant with picturesque lake views.
Athenaeum Center: A Century of Cultural Significance
Opening its doors in 1911, the Athenaeum is Chicago’s oldest continuously operating off-loop theater. Originally part of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church’s campus, it has evolved into a cultural hub with a main-stage theater and three studio spaces, hosting diverse performances from theater to live podcast recordings.
TimeLine Theater at Baird Hall: Intimate Performances in a Historic Church
Nestled in Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ, Baird Hall has a rich history dating back to the 110-year-old church’s origins. TimeLine Theater Company, the primary tenant since 1999, showcases interactive performances in this unconventional and immersive space.
Lookingglass Theater to Steppenwolf: A Magnificent Mile of Theatrical Excellence
The historic Water Tower on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile houses the Tony Award-winning Lookingglass Theater, featuring versatile black box theater customizable for various performance styles. Nearby, the Steppenwolf Theater Company, founded in the mid-1970s, boasts three unique venues showcasing local and touring acts.
Briar Street Theater to Goodman: A Diverse Theatrical Landscape
Transformed from a turn-of-the-century carriage house, the Briar Street Theater, now home to the Blue Man Group, offers a flexible layout for a unique viewing experience. Meanwhile, the Goodman Theater, Chicago’s largest and oldest continuously operating non-profit theater, under Tony-winning director Robert Falls, presents spirited original stage performances, including the yearly favorite, A Christmas Carol.
Broadway Playhouse to Cadillac Palace Theater: Icons of Magnificent Mile
Situated in Water Tower Place, the Broadway Playhouse offers an intimate venue for Broadway In Chicago’s dynamic performances. Meanwhile, the Cadillac Palace Theater, a Magnificent Mile anchor since 1926, presents entertainment on a stage as ornate as its interiors.
Chicago Theater: A Dazzling Emblem of the City
Arguably Chicago’s most recognizable symbol, the Chicago theater, with its iconic illuminated sign, has been a State Street mainstay since the Roaring Twenties. Under Madison Square Garden, Inc., it continues to host top-tier touring musical, comedy, and theatrical acts.
Chicago Cultural Center to Stage 773: A Kaleidoscope of Cultural Venues
The Chicago Cultural Center, adorned with a Tiffany domed ceiling, stands as a crown jewel of architecture, offering free cultural programming from music to dance. Meanwhile, Stage 773, an anchor in the Belmont Theater District, showcases diverse off-loop talent, spanning comedy, theater, dance, and musicals, focusing on community development and talent training.
Harris Theater to Lyric Opera House: Modern Arts and Timeless Elegance
The Harris Theater for Music and Dance, a downtown modern arts venue, hosts an array of resident and touring acts, accommodating up to 1,499 patrons. In contrast, the Civic Opera House, built in 1929, remains a gem with Art Deco interiors, serving as the home for the Lyric Opera of Chicago and hosting touring acts.
Stage 773: The Heart of Belmont Theater District
Stage 773, as the anchor of the Belmont Theater District, not only highlights unique off-Loop talent but also catalyzes Chicago’s theater community. With diverse entertainment offerings, including comedy, theater, dance, and musicals, it is a non-profit committed to fostering the city’s theatrical vibrancy and nurturing emerging talent.
