Theatre
Conan is back!
Wednesday, April 14th, 2010 | Theatre | No Comments
Conan O’Brien back on stage and he is singing? Check out what he is doing during time off.
Conan O’Brien is hitting the road
Friday, March 12th, 2010 | Conan O'Brien | No Comments
Conan O’Brien is hitting the road for a 30 show tour and is calling it, “The Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television Tour.” Most dates have sold out with in a few minutes of going on sale and it looks to be a big tour. O’Brien is banned from going back on TV until some time in September due to his agreement with NBC after they settled his tonight show contract. Check back as we will have full list of dates and tickets later today.
Love Never Dies – Phantom “Part 2″ – Opens to Mixed Reviews
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 | Broadway, Broadway New York City, General, Theatre | No Comments
“Love Never Dies” – Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sequel to “The Phantom of the Opera” opened to mixed reviews in London this week. “Love Never Dies” is set in Coney Island in New York and takes place 10 years after the Phantom mysteriously disappeared from the Paris theatre he “haunted”. But the early reviews indicate that Webber has lost his way a touch. There are rock numbers and love ballads, but nothing really stands out the way the songs did from “Phantom of the Opera”.
Ramin Karimloo plays the role of the Phantom, but he comes across as a little odd and eccentric, not scary or menacing. He has created his own “circus” in Coney Island, but the freaks and attractions are not all that interesting. Meg Giry played by Summer Strallen has accompanied the Phantom to America as she desperately seeks his approval without much success. But when his former object of affection – Christine Daae played by Sierra Boggess – arrives in America at the Phantom’s request, the drama that should unfold with the competing interests never really develops.
Sorry Phantom fans, it doesn’t sound like Webber’s sequel is all that great. True Phantom fans are likely to be disappointed with the lackluster effort and there aren’t enough “must-see” songs or performances to bring in a whole new set of theatre-goers to make this a bug success. “Love Never Dies” is set to hit Broadway in New York City at the end of 2010.
Best Broadway Style Chicago Theatres
Wednesday, December 9th, 2009 | Chicago Broadway, Theatre | No Comments
Chicago Theater. Credit: http://www.vicon.com/Events/SenseCam/Accommodations.htm
Ford Center for the Performing Arts
The Ford Center for the Performing Arts Oriental Theatre has glorious painting, molding and architecture in the style of the Far East. Built in 1926, it started out as an movie house, but also hosted stage shows. Stars of yesteryear such as George Burns and Gracie Allen, Cab Calloway, Sophie Tucker, Fanny Brice, Judy Garland, and Alice Faye graced this wonderful stage. The theatre underwent a complete restoration in 1998 just in time for the Chicago opening of the hit Broadway musical Ragtime. The Broadway in Chicago show Wicked has enjoyed a long run at this lovely theatre.
The Cadillac Palace
The Cadillac Palace also opened in 1926. The interior of this theatre will take you back to the French Versailles and Fontainebleau, because of the use of elaborate decorative mirrors, marble, gold leaf and wooden decorations. Starting life as a vaudeville house, notable performers include Sophie Tucker, Jack Benny and Bob Hope. As times and tastes shifted, the Palace became a movie theatre, and was restored in 1999. Shows heading to Broadway have had runs at this wonderful theatre, including The Producers and Mamma Mia! You can catch current Broadway in Chicago shows like Young Frankenstein here as well.
Bank of America Theatre
Today’s Bank of America Theatre started out in 1906 as the Majestic Theatre. A great vaudeville house, it hosted renowned entertainers such as Harry Houdini. After the war years, the theatre was used for Broadway touring shows including South Pacific and Carousel. Today, the theatre is home to the long-running Broadway in Chicago musical Jersey Boys.
Auditorium Theatre
The Auditorium Theatre was built in 1889 and is noted for its wonderful sightlines. Patrons to this theatre will revel in the amazing architecture, and details such as stencils, gilded designs, and mosaics, not to mention ceiling arches covered in gold leaf. It is a Historic National Landmark Theatre, and you will find that this amazing Chicago theater hosts a wide variety of events, including the show A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor, plus performances by the Joffrey Ballet and The Ten Tenors.
Genesee Theatre
The Genesee Theatre in nearby Waukegan is a large concert hall seating over 2,400 fans. Opening in 1927 as a vaudeville house and movie theatre, it was renovated in 2004 and is one of the premiere concert halls around. Upcoming acts include comic Bill Cosby, writer and chef Anthony Bourdain, as well as musicians Chris Botti and Bryan Adams.
All of these classic venues offer an exciting array of possibilities for theater shows you will not want to miss. Contact your online ticket broker today to order tickets for any of these venues.
Your Guide to Broadway In Chicago
Friday, November 20th, 2009 | Broadway, Theatre | No Comments
Photo credit: http://chicagoist.com
Two notable theatres in Chicago are the LaSalle Bank Theater and the Auditorium Theatre. Chicago audiences enjoy performances there throughout the year. The Auditorium Theatre, Chicago offers upcoming performances by the Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet Company, The Joffrey Ballet, The Ten Tenors. The Auditorium Theatre began life as an opera house, and has been in existence for nearly one hundred and twenty years. The building itself is a National Historic Landmark building, and it is wonderful to experience a show in this glorious venue.
The LaSalle Bank Theater, which now goes by the name of Bank of America Theater, hosts a variety of top Broadway plays in Chicago. Built one hundred and three years ago, the theatre began life under the name the Majestic Theatre and hosted vaudeville acts. Today as the Bank of America Theater, it is home to the Broadway musical Jersey Boys. Jersey Boys is a theatrical retelling of the evolution and history of a famous 1960s rock group, The Four Seasons with Frankie Valli. They have the Chicago production of this tremendous musical, which started its run in The Windy City in 2007 and features songs such as “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like A Man,” and “My Eyes Adored You,” playing regularly at this large theatre, thrilling audiences with their wonderful harmonies.
You can find tickets for Broadway in Chicago playing at Bank of America Theater, the Auditorium Theatre and other classic venues through a local ticket broker.
Chicago Music Venues: The Best And Brightest
Monday, November 16th, 2009 | Concerts, Theatre | No Comments
Photo Credits: BWChicago @ Flickr
Chicago indie venues are the place to be to enjoy some of the best rock and roll as well as blues bands on the music circuit today. Venues vary in size, and this enables you to choose the type of venue that allows for an intimate performance or a large group setting. Chicago rock clubs offer something for everyone who enjoys a great performance, enjoy this list of a few our favorite Chicago rock venues. We would love to hear of some your favorites, or what great shows you have seen. Feel free to post your best shows or venues.
The Vic Theatre, Chicago
The Vic Theatre, Chicago venue extraordinaire, is the place to be if you want an intimate concert setting. It is also the venue for the popular Brew-N-View, where you can buy beer and watch favorite old movies. The Vic offers a large open floor area and balcony, with seating along the sides of the room. Upcoming events include concerts by The Sounds, Devo, The Fab Faux, Lotus and Raphael Saadig.Ticket Chest makes it easy to see the shows coming to the Vic
House of Blues, Chicago
The House of Blues, Chicago venue of note to not only fans of blues but also those who enjoy folk art and fine food, is a not-to-be-missed hotspot on the Chicago music circuit. The house restaurant, called The Back Porch, features Southern cooking and also offers blues music every night of the week. The larger House of Blues concert hall is set up in three levels, and will soon be host to such acts as Keb’Mo’, Aaron Karo, Infected Mushroom, Skillet, Esmee Denters, Mavis Staples and the Blind Boys of Alabama, Big Head Todd and the Monsters and more. If you save your dinner receipt from The Back Porch, show it to the ushers and you will receive priority admission to a House of Blues concert. See all the upcoming Chicago shows at the House of Blues.
Aragon Ballroom, Chicago
For a step back into history, try the Aragon Ballroom, Chicago venue known for its rock, salsa and blues concerts. This beautiful venue was built in 1926, and today still features a grand staircase, gilt trim, and a ceiling painted like a starry sky. Upcoming bands that will play at the Aragon include Jaquares, The Pixies, Rob Zombie and Weezer. See all the schedule of upcoming shows here: Aragon Ballroom, Chicago
Arie Crown Chicago Theatre
The Arie Crown Chicago Theatre on Lake Shore Drive offers the largest stage area of any of the theatres in town. An ample venue, seating 4,249 people, it often hosts Broadway touring musicals as well as rock and pop concerts.
Riviera Theatre Chicago
Other Chicago indie rock shows can be seen at the Riviera Theatre Chicago. A popular venue, it seats 2,500 fans who flock to this theatre to enjoy rock and punk concerts. The Cranberries, Arctic Monkeys and Black Keys will be playing at the Riviera Theatre in upcoming weeks. See what shows are coming to the Riviera Theatre in Chicago.
Metro: Chicago’s Independent Concert Venue
If you like alternative music, you will not want to miss Metro: Chicago’s Independent Concert Venue. Located in Wrigleyville, you can see everything from local to larger acts, with the convenience of an in-house box office. Dorians’s Decay, Victorian Halls, Rooks, Dir En Grey, Glittermouse and Amanda Blank will all be playing here soon. Find Metro tickets at TicketChest.
Park West
Armitage Avenue near the Lincoln Park Zoo is home to Park West, a treasure of a venue that offers 1920s style and is now the place to catch your favorite musical acts. Enjoy the musical stylings of a host of different artists playing soon at Park West, including Linda Eder, Straight No Chaser, Pat McGee Band and Kate Voegele.
Jim Gaffigan at The Chicago Theatre
Thursday, November 12th, 2009 | Comedy, Theatre | 1 Comment
Jim Gaffigan is one the most funny guys in comedy right now. A stand-up comedian, he has appeared on Comedy Central Presents as well as featured with Conan O’Brien in a series of animated short subject films where he and O’Brien are super heroes fighting crime with their extremely pale skin. Gaffigan is currently on a national tour, and will present a series of Chicago comedy shows starting in January 2010. You won’t want to miss the Jim Gaffigan Chicago comedy shows. He will be playing for three nights at the Chicago Theatre. January 29, 30, 31, 2010.
Jim Gaffigan tickets are still available for the comic’s shows at The Chicago Theatre. After getting his big break with a Letterman appearance in 1999, Gaffigan has not let up. Television and film appearances, commercials and voice overs are just some of the ways you might have heard of Gaffigan. He does make regular appearances on the television comedy series My Boys.
Many fans have enjoyed the films of Jim Gaffigan. Chicago audiences might remember him in Three Kings, Super Troopers, 13 Going On 30, The Love Guru, and independent films The Living Wake and The Great New Wonderful. He is starting work on the Drew Barrymore and Justin Long comedy entitled Going the Distance, which is scheduled for release in 2011.
He is also very well known for his work in commercials. He has done improvisational commercials for Sierra Mist, as well as other commercials for Rolling Rock, Saturn and ESPN.
In the new year, you will find Jim Gaffigan tickets available for his comedy shows in Peekskill, New York and Montclair, New Jersey in addition to Chicago. Gaffigan is very funny, and Ticket Chest can help to make sure you don’t miss your chance to see Jim Gaffigan at the Chicago Theatre.
The Broadway Recession
Thursday, December 11th, 2008 | Broadway, General, Theatre | No Comments
With 7% unemployment rate and the auto makers on the verge of bankruptcy people are cutting back a lot. Broadway shows are getting hit hard with the current economy and many of the big shows can’t fill half their seats. Equus, Young Frankenstein, Grease, and Hair Spary are all schedule to close by February. High production costs and a large jump in ticket prices over the last year is a major reason behind this large decline. Many shows that used to charge $90-$95 for the good seats to their shows have raised the price to $120-$140 plus fees. Unfortunately, a lot of these shows must now offer big discounts or even free tickets to keep people in the seats, but the way it looks we will be seeing more shows go dark in 2009 on top of the 14 already on the chopping block. There is also a sharp decline in tourist coming to NY and other parts of the US which will also not help Broadway in the next 12 months. Broadway needs to figure out a way to keep people in the seats and right now it looks like prices is the biggest sticking point.
