Chicago Theater
 

Would my teenage sons enjoy Wicked or is there another option that you would recommend?
Thanks!

You need to share more about your sons' interests, are they athletic, ADHD, can't sit still types or bookish, history or what?? We took our 2 teenage daughters several years ago and they LOVED Wicked, but they had read the book.

Dependingon their age.

If somewhat older teenagers than I would recommend the "Blue Man Group"

My 10-year-old daughter and I saw Wicked about 6 weeks ago, and we loved it! We had not read the book, but we had listened to the CD many times. My son (also 10) does not like musicals, so he and my hubby did not go. If your sons have enjoyed other musicals, they will definitely enjoy this one. It is very well-done.

I agree, a lot of it depends on your sons' interest in musicals. I actually tend to think of Wicked as pretty girly. You certainly do not need to have read the book to enjoy the show, but I do recommend a knowledge of The Wizard of Oz (movie.) It makes a lot of the jokes more amusing.

For other options, Jersey Boys might be appealing. I also agree with the suggestion of Blue Man Group, or even a show at Second City.

I've been to two matinees with different groups- once with my grandkids and kids. And I have observed that the teen agers of both sexes in the large groups around us, loved it.

I live in the Chicago area and the high schools and the colleges have both gender groups going all the time- at least a group of 40 each semester. And it is never gender specific.

Sons should be exposed to musicals and daughters to sports or whatever, as far as I'm concerned. And both to opera. The more things you are exposed to the more you like.

Blue Man Group is much more slapstick and visual humor- and I have known people who love it and people who hate it of both genders.

Have you asked your son if he would like to go to a musical? My teenage son would rather take a math test than go to a musical--and trust me, he hates math! We took both of our teens (one boy, one girl) to see Second City and they had a great time!

Thanks so much for all the replies!

I guess my hesitation was not a musical in general, but the idea that it would be more interesting to girls or younger kids. My boys are manly sportsman who will not be thrilled to go to a musical :) but I wouldn't mind making them in the spirit of "diversity in entertainment is good!" if I thought that they would enjoy the show once they were there!

I had read about Second City but was concerned it would be too adult themed. Can anyone give me any ideas on that?

I will look up Blue Man.

My kids are 19, 16, 14. THANKS!!!!!!

My three guys are close in age to yours, and they love Second City. You have to be comfortable with a dozen mentions of the f-word, though. Most of the humor is political or situational, not the let's-disgust-our-audience sort. If you think you'd like to consider some other plays, you've come to the right city. Chicago is brimming with theater productions, from modest storefronts to big Broadway productions.

Check chicagoplays.com to see what's on stage during your visit. You can get reviews on chireader.com, metromix.com (the Tribune)or read Hedy Weiss on suntimes.com (the other major paper.)

I'll throw out a few lesser-known productions: Cymbeline, at Chicago Shakespeare, Elmina's Kitchen, at Congo Theater, The Producers (with two terrific local actors in the lead roles) or The Crucible, at Steppenwolf. Most of these shows are half the cost of Wicked tickets. You can also go to hottix.org or visit their discount ticket booths for day-of-show tickets, if you aren't too picky.

My teens were 14 and 17 when we saw Second City and we did not find it too adult-themed for them. (I also had that concern before we went.) Patg's description of their show was accurate--lots of political and situational humor, not humor that will make a parent squirm sitting next to their teen. For teens of your sons' ages, I think Second City would be a good choice.

I haven't happened across too many people who don't enjoy Wicked. It is fun theater and it turns something most of us are overly familiar with -- The Wizard of Oz -- inside out. My nephew (20) and his sisters (18 and 16) all thought it was great.