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Best Broadway Style Chicago Theatres

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009 | Chicago Broadway, Theatre | No Comments

Chicago has been known throughout the years as being a theatre town. Many classic, historic theatres have been refurbished and are still in use today. Having a chance to attend a Chicago theater show in one of them is like taking a step back in time, to when vaudeville and movies were getting their start in cities all over the United States, including The Windy City.

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.

Tags: Auditorium Theatre, Bank of America Theatre, broadway in Chicago, Cadillac Palace, chicago theater, Ford Center for the Performing Arts