Attractions & Activities/Performing Arts

Arie Crown Theater

2301 S Lake Shore Dr Chicago, IL 60616 312-791-6190

Description: Named for a successful Chicago immigrant businessman, this theater has been in existence since 1960 and is part of McCormick Place. The Arie hosts a wide variety of acts, from traditional Broadway musicals to cutting-edge pop performances. The establishment boasts 5000 seats and has state-of-the-art sound and terrific acoustics.

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Blue Man Group

3133 N Halsted St Chicago, IL 60657 773-348-4000

Description: LAKE VIEW. In what was once Marshall Field's horse stables, the intimate Briar Street Theatre hosts some of the Windy City's top live dramatic performances everything from "Driving Miss Daisy" to "Laughter on the 21st Floor." These days, Briar Street is most popular for hosting the ingenious Blue Man Group (yes, those guys from the commercials), whose wild shows and amusing props have wowed Windy City audiences since first "blowing in" in October of 1997.

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Chicago Opera Theater

205 E Randolph Chicago, IL 60601 312-704-8420

Description: DOWNTOWN. Since 1974, Chicago Opera Theater has been entertaining residents with top-quality performances of operas from the 17th, 18th, and 20th centuries. Professional singers have graced the stage and taken on works like "L'incoronazione di Poppea" by Claudio Monteverdi and "Death in Venice" by Benjamin Britten.

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Chicago Shakespeare Theater

800 E Grand Ave Chicago, IL 60611 312-595-5600

Description: STREETERVILLE. The Chicago Shakespeare Theater is located on prime real estate on the Navy Pier and boasts a $24 million structure with a stunning design a seven-story, glass curtain-walled structure. The building has a 500-seat courtyard theater and a 200-seat black box theater. The theater presents the works of Shakespeare as well as the works of notable American and international playwrights. So, if you want to see a traditional rendering of "Twelfth Night" or a one-act play about Charles Dickens, visit and enjoy. On performance nights, Tuesday through Friday, the box office is open until 7:30pm.

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Chicago Symphony Orchestra

220 S Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60605 312-294-3000

Description: THE LOOP. One of the country's most celebrated classical concert groups, the Chicago Symphony offers an astounding repertoire of music year-round. During the holiday season, favorites like Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" and Duke Ellington's jazz version of "The Nutcracker" leave audiences positively riveted. Other performances, such as Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade," also attract large audiences. Contact the ticket office for performance times and details.

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Goodman Theatre

170 N Dearborn St Chicago, IL 60601 312-443-3800

Description: THE LOOP. Goodman Theatre, built in 1925 to honor playwright Kenneth Goodman, hosts a variety of works each season, broad in artistry and content. Past works have included "Crowns," a gospel musical that showcases black women and their church hats and reveals the historical and cultural impact of the black community, and "Proof," a play that centers around the brilliance and potential insanity of a young genius. No matter what you see, you're sure to be impressed by everything from set design to direction and talent. A city treasure.

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Joffrey Ballet of Chicago

50 E Congree Pkwy Chicago, IL 60601 312-739-0120

Description: DOWNTOWN. The Joffrey Ballet is well-known throughout the world and has performed across the US and in England, Germany, Russia, Spain, Hong Kong, and Italy, to name just a few other places. However, the company does perform at home in Chicago each year, and the talented troupe has a well-rounded repertoire that includes a rock ballet set to the music of Prince, along with more traditional works like "The Nutcracker."

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Lyric Opera of Chicago

20 N Wacker Dr Chicago, IL 60606 312-332-2244

Description: THE LOOP. Chicago's Lyric Opera was started in 1974. This opera company is in residence the entire year and welcomes talented new singers into its fold, providing them with education in operatic performance, voice lessons, language training, and acting classes with many of opera's most famous stars. These newbies hold understudy roles in performances, affording them excellent "hands-on" experience. Outside of the student aspect, Lyric Opera hosts renowned opera signers, conductors, choreographers, and dancers to its stage each year.

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