Is the Blue Man or Men (whatever it is) show in Chicago? What other long running shows are there? what about hockey o r basketball. Will be there Nov 20-24. Is it hard to get tickets? Any help would be appreciated. thanks. R

Blue Man Group at the Briar Street Theatre, Chicago - for tickets call (773)348-4000
Open Run
Tue, 11/20/01 8:00PM
Wed, 11/21/01 2:00PM
Wed, 11/21/01 5:00PM
Wed, 11/21/01 8:00PM
Fri, 11/23/01 4:00PM
Fri, 11/23/01 7:00PM
Fri, 11/23/01 10:00PM
Sat, 11/24/01 4:00PM
Sat, 11/24/01 7:00PM
Sat, 11/24/01 10:00PM

We're going Nov. 3 - second time for me. It is VERY worth it.

In an article about how Sept. 11 has affected the "show" business here in Chicago, it was reported that Blue Man Group sales are down 40% since 9/11.

You'll definintely be able to get tickets, maybe even at HotTix (I'm checking into this myself - will let you know what I find out).

BTW, if you can only get balcony seats, or want to save $10 and sit in the balcony, that's where we sat my first time and we were pleased with our seats.

Blue Man Group is alot of fun. You will enjoy it. If you are going with a crowd, it might be fun to go to Buca de Beppo for dinner before hand which is right around the corner.

Another long-running show that I loved is Tony and Tina's Wedding at Pipers Alley.

Thanks for the info everyone. Now the big Q? How expensive are tickets? to Blue Man. Where is the Briar Street Theatre in relation to the Mag Mile? Thanks!

BRIAR STREET THEATRE
3133 N HALSTED/CHICAGO

It's about 4 miles north of the North Michigan Ave area. About a 10-15 minute cab ride, depending on traffic.

It looks like tickets are between $43 and $53. Check out www.blueman.com which will direct you to www.ticketmaster.com. I have seen tickets at hottix in recent weeks, tickets for same day shows (you can buy for Fri, Sat and Sun on Friday) are 1/2 price but you don't know if they'll have them that week or not. Hot tix doesn't always have the best seats available so if you really want to see it and have good seats..... Check out www.hottix.org for info on 1/2 price tickets.

I saw the same article as Susan about sales being down but that is Thanksgiving weekend, people come into the city for the lights, shopping, etc. so it may be a busy weekend for theater.

Second City is usually a lot of fun and there are a couple of improv comedy shows that can be fun (Comedy Sportz and Improv Olympics).

I think you are out of luck on the Bulls and the Blackhawks as both appear to be out of town.

Kris or anyone else out there, How do you get tickets for Second City or the other comedy shows suggested? Also, will they let kids under 18 in? We will have our 2 boys, ages 12 & 15 with us. Thanks for your help

Rachel, you might want to take a look at the Second City website at www. secondcity.com to see about the content of the show and if they have age restrictions/recommendations. The Second City shows tend to be political in nature so they may not be interesting to your kids if they are not into current events.

Comedy Sportz also has a website at www.comedysportzchicago.com. I think this might be a little more appropriate for kids your age than Second City, I don't recall there being a lot of bad language or sexual references the last time we went.

I think Blue Man Group is the best bet for family entertainment.

The websites should point you to where to buy tickets. Both Second City and Comedy Sportz are sold through hottix, more likely to get 1/2 price Friday tickets than Saturday, once again it might be a tough week to get tickets because of the holiday.

We took my 16 year old son to see Blue Man Group when it first opened so I think he was about 12 at the time and he loved it. He still talks about it. I think both your kids are at a great age for that. Comedy Clubs are hard to tell because you really have to relate to what the comedian is talking about in order for it to be funny. Some humour might be over their heads.

Does anyone know if the Briar Street Theater can be reached by train/bus? Or is it a cab ride? (We're staying at the Hampton Inn downtown on W. Illinois St).

It's about a half-mile from the Belmont stop on either the red or brown line.
See maps and info at
www.transitchicago.com