Category: Theaters

While smaller in capacity to its sister venue down the street, the Aragon, and not quite as beautifully decorated, the Riv is still a pretty cool place to catch a show! It's pretty similar to the Congress in just about every sense of the word, with its dingy charm, balcony seating and overall capacity. It tends to fill up a lot tighter since they take on even more popular acts of varying styles, and like the Aragon, it's right next to the Red Line and all those wonderful places to eat and drink at. They also offer a coat check, so dress like it's the summer underneath those warm trench coats, since it gets really hot in there, even in the dead of winter!

Just like any other place that's all general admittance, it is always a good idea to get there as soon as possible to stake your claim, whether you want a balcony seat or a good spot in front of the stage. Late arrivals are generally subjected to getting stuck along the side lines, however the vantage points are really not too bad. Also, go ahead and bring a disposable camera and snap a few pictures. Just remember that anything more than five feet away really won't show up all that great, so capturing the moment is pretty much a hit or miss, and only if you get right up in front of the stage.

There are a few down sides to the Riv that can deter folks from going. For one thing, the bathrooms are located down in the basement, so when ya gotta go, you may want to make a bee line right before a set ends to avoid the crowds. It's also dirty, and I mean really dirty, with a tendency to flood, so do not wear your favorite shoes. Strangely, there are bathroom attendants, but one begs to ask what exactly they are attending to. Also, the place really does need a rehab, and it looks like at one time they were making an honest attempt but just stopped. I truly hope a portion of the money filtering into this place will go towards a fresh coat of paint. The security is pretty tight, so it can take a while to actually get inside, but they're pretty lenient once you're in. Finally, there is no in or out, which is understandable due to the size of the place.

Overall, the Riv really is a good place to see a show, if that is all you are there to do. Every other aspect of the evening should be done elsewhere.

Where oh where in Chicago can one take in a live performance featuring the likes of Gary Sinise, Terry Kinney and John Mahoney and maybe even the incredible John Malkovich, all within an intimate, true theatre setting, where every seat is a great one? Steppenwolf Theatre, my dear!

Not only is this place fabulous for seeing true live theatre, but so many of the shows themselves are absolute treasures, with actors who have a knack for hitting the nail on the head when it comes to truly understanding the Chicago culture. Witty, thought provoking, powerful, and dare I say sensual and even bad ass! The Goodman will never get that description, I'm sure! While blue bloods are most certainly welcome to attend, regular Joes who may be leery of seeing a production will thank me profusely for sending them here! Hollywood will never be able to capture the pure energy that is Steppenwolf.

The production quality is beyond all expectations, many times leaving folks with their jaws agape at the sheer investments. Even so, these guys haven't forgotten who makes this place tick and thanks them in several ways, like providing a reasonably priced parking lot in an otherwise impossible area (including time for some grub afterwards!), and by offering tickets at half price an hour before the show. Since shows rarely sell out, scoring a seat can wind up costing as little as $10! If you're looking for the seriously edgy and raw, you may want to check out performances held in the Garage Theatre.

Of course, the Steppenwolf is more than just a place to catch some great performances by real actors, as it's also a performing arts school, again giving it credence as a theatre that truly nurtures its talent. After all, this is the birth place of some of the best Hollywood has to offer, so it's only right they keep up with that tradition.

So yes, yes, yes! Hit the box office and see what sparks your interest. And leave the formalwear in the back of the closet – save that for your cousin Bob's wedding.

Whether folks plan on going as a group to hit the Midnight showing of Rocky Horror (with or without full regalia!), a couple wanting to get all snuggly like while watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s or perhaps good friends just want to relive their youth by seeing Raiders of the Lost Ark on the big screen again, the Music Box Theatre is the place to go for a fun and enchanting evening.

While the musty seats can be downright uncomfortable, the sound is very sub par by today’s standards and the carpeting is in serious need of a rehab, that taste of real butter on the popcorn and all those wonderful independent and foreign films more than make up for it. The twinkling lights above and the large organ playing before the shows can stir up some nostalgia no place else can even come close. Classic cartoon festivals, and Grease and Monty Python sing alongs are equally as entertaining. RKO and John Hughes films duke it out for screen time, as do classic Japanese monster movies and cult classics.

There is a second, smaller theatre inside that is even more cozy than the main screen, which many folks say is more akin to being seated in a very large living room. That can be inferred as either good or bad, depending on who‘s being asked. Even so, the magic of the big screen is still highlighted and captured here, making it an experience no soul should pass before leaving.

Those wanting to avoid the family and kid crowds need to take in a later film, just like anyplace else. Unlike the Brew and View, no alcohol is served here, so hitting up the local pubs beforehand or afterwards is a good idea. Also, parking in the surrounding area can be really tight, especially on weekends, so taking advantage of the nearby trains or cabs is highly suggested.

Off Broadway meets Blue Collar Wedding: that’s the general synopsis of Tony N’ Tina’s Wedding, but tattoo’s even begin to describe the two and a half hours of non stop laughs! The accents are thick, the makeup is gaudy, the hair is big, the clothes are tacky and the cast of characters are bigger than life - the perfect recipe for disaster… or in this case, happily ever after!

No two shows are alike, as each one depends on the audience participation, so guests are encouraged to truly be themselves and let the cast feed off it! The entire show is set up as an actual Italian wedding, complete with a complete reception banquet dinner and wedding cake. Door ushers greet the audience as though they are invite of the bride and groom, and it goes from there, with performers chatting and interacting with the crowd as their own. The scenario is very blue collar on the groom’s side, while the bride’s family is a little more on the up and coming level, setting the stage for some good in fighting throughout the show.

The wedding is hysterical in its own right, especially the boisterous hollering back and forth during the ceremony. Cast members include a drug addict and a pregnant bride’s maid, marking two of the audience’s favorites. However, it’s the reception afterwards that most folks really enjoy. While the all you can eat buffet is only so-so and is served on Styrofoam plates, it’s the conga lines and bunny hopping that makes it a very memorable experience. The characters encourage folks to get up and dance with them, who are all equally talented in getting even the most meek into joining in the act.

This ad lib performance is an absolute must see for engaged and married couples alike, especially for those who love to live it up while praying they never have to deal with such a beautiful catastrophe in real life.

Here's a movie theater everyone can agree on! Besides the fact guests get to kick back a few cold ones on huge comfy seats while checking out a favorite cult film, this place has incredible sound when the bands come into town! Five floors make up this early 20th century vaudeville, where some of its original brilliance still shines through. It's nice an dark here and extremely casual.

This is pretty much a movie theatre for people who like to treat the place like they are watching cable in their own homes, and that includes getting a little chatty and reclining back. It serves as a great alternative to staying in for the night, and guests get to mingle and meet new people, as the beer goes for a cool $1.50 and admittance for only $5.00. It is also ideal for new couples who may desire a dark scene but want to avoid a completely segregated area, especially those who want to put off seeing how the other half lives at the moment. This is casual at its finest. And by the way: the best seats are down in the front center, but pretty much anyplace is good!

Whether folks go there for a concert or a flick, The Vic is centrally located in a pretty great area for young couples of all breeds. The immediate neighborhood is very eclectic, from the punk and goth kids to the young socialites, all feeding from the same proverbial trough known as the intersection of Belmont & Clark. Shopping and dining are plentiful, as are cabs, trains and buses - a true feast for the eyes and lips! Just be very careful when parking anywhere in the area! Just about everything on the street not metered is permit only, with cops ticketing often, and store lots hire spotters to boot unauthorized vehicles. Using the pay lot or taking the train is a very wise idea!