Seeing a play in Chicago can be easier and cheaper than going to the movies. Most theaters offer student rates, low-price or free previews and industry nights, and/or discounted rush tickets. Weeknights are usually cheaper than weekends (and seats are easier to get). Some theaters have a regular “pay what you can” policy; others offer free seats to volunteer ushers. Even high-priced commercial shows like Wicked and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee have day-of-show lotteries for bargain seats. And the League of Chicago Theatres’ Hot Tix booths sell half-price tickets; go to chicagoreader.com or hottix.org for booth locations and available shows.
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You don’t have to plan months in advance to enjoy our internationally famous theater scene. For every big-bucks commercial production that comes to town, there are a dozen low-cost alternatives–classic drama and cutting-edge world premieres, musicals and performance art, large-cast ensemble pieces and hip-hop solo shows.
Here’s a sampling of what they’ll be up to this fall:
The House Theatre of Chicago dramatizes the most famous family feud in American history in Hatfield & McCoy, a Romeo and Juliet romance running through November 4 at the Viaduct Theater (3111 N. Western, 773-251-2195).
The Black Ensemble (4520 N. Beacon, 773-769-4451), which specializes in musicals saluting African-American singing stars, is presenting the Dionne Warwick tribute Don’t Make Me Over through October 29, followed by Don’t Shed a Tear (The Story of Billie Holiday), starting November 4.
Art accompanying story in printed newspaper (not available in this archive): photos/Michael Brosilow, Wayne Karl, Sam Sax.
