Auditorium Theater
 

I just found another one. I see that The Sound Of Music will be playing at this theater while we're there. (9/26-9/27). Any thoughts on this theater and the types of shows it gets? Thanks.

In Chicago? If so, it gets top ranges shows but is a bigger venue than the Cadillac Palace. Try getting tickets closer to stage here as some balcony seats can be way up there...

Sorry, yes Chicago. I think I'm going to get these tickets as I can get them near the front on the lower level compared to just scraps that are left for the Lion King. Sounds like a nice place.

The Auditorium is a gorgeous theatre. The design is by the great Louis Sullivan; Frank Lloyd Wright worked for Sullivan at the time, very early in Wright's career, so it is fun to try and guess which elements in the stairways and lobbies show his influence.

The sightlines are very good, except for the gallery, which doesn;t sound like it would interest you anyway. The first balcony is my favorite, but main floor and boxes are also very good.

The more I read about this theater, the more I wonder why I've never heard of it. It sounds very nice. I got 2 tickets for my wife and I to the Sound Of Music, we got row B and seats pretty much right in front of stage so sounds good to me. They seem far enough back not to strain neck, at least I hope so. Thanks for all advice.

This may be a silly question but it seems like tickets to the Sound of Music in Chicago aren't selling very fast. Is this usual for this theater? I checked ticketmaster today about 24 hours after I reserved my seats and the seats that came up are the 2 seats next to ours. That seems like pretty slow ticket sales to me. Just curious if anyone living in Chicago knows if this theater is very popular or not? Thanks

I don't think it's a matter of the theatre, but the show. The Sound of Music has never been very popular as a stage show since the movie came out (and rightfully so, in my humble opinion). Several attempts at national tours and Broadway revivals have all been flops or near flops, and even dinner theatres have noted it to be a losing production.

The Auditorium is a beautiful theater, just off Michigan Avenue in the south end of the Loop, a real jewel designed by Louis Sullivan. It gets "big" shows like Les Miserables, also cultural things like the Joffrey Ballet, The Nutcracker at Christmas, Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion when it came to Chicago, etc. It adds an extra dimension seeing a show there, but I just think that Sound of Music isn't a huge draw. Actually, we all have baseball fever in Chicago right now!

In addition, the Auditorium went through a prolonged flux in management and was dark for many weeks in the last year. I suspect theie marketing efforts suffered.

PJ - What about seeing Chicago at the Shubert? No tix? Sounds like I'm planning a trip similar to yours. Where are you coming from? My tix for Oprah are 9/17 and I'm coming from Seattle for my birthday. Being it mid-week I lucked out for 2nd row Lion King! I will definitely be checking out the lounge at the Hancock Observatory. How about you?

hipvirgochick: sorry about the late reply. We wanted to go to Chicago but it is over on the 21st so we'll be missing that one. I was trying to surprise my wife w/ Oprah tickets but was unable to score those. From what I can tell also, she doesn't tape on Fridays or Saturdays. We don't have a heck of a lot planned this trip. We'll definately be doing the Chicago River architecture cruise that everyone raves about that we always seem to skip. Seeing Sound of Music. Will hit a couple of restaurants that we haven't been to. Still haven't been to Harry Caray's so might hit that this trip. Might go to Brookfield Zoo or Lincoln Park Zoo, not sure which one. Anyone have any opinions on either?? We also might go up the John Hancock building as well.

Lincoln Park Zoo is an easy cab ride/bus ride from downtown or the near north (where most tourists stay). Brookfield Zoo would be a very long, $$ cab ride from downtown or near north. If you are renting a car, then I would recommend Brookfield over Lincoln Park Zoo, as Brookfield is larger, and has many more attractions. Another thought, Brookfield is somewhat close to Oak Park with the Frank Lloyd Wright home. Again, a rental car would be advisable. Hope that helps!