OK JJ5, I believe you. But I won't check as I've taken a personal oath NEVER to return to the Ticketmaster Chicago website again!

The idea of Carol Kane playing Elphaba is more than I could take!! LOL.

Hi all,
I'm sure 'Wicked' will be quite wonderful -- especially if you're bringing children, but I wanted to put in a plug for several other theaters in my town. My most satisfying theater experiences have always been at places like Steppenwolf, A Red ORchid THeatre, Victory Gardens, Chicago Shakespeare, Lookingglass -- houses that consistently attract the most talented actors and directors in the country. Among the locals, STeppenwolf is usually the hottest ticket in town, and since it's located on a nice street next to several restaurants (Alinea, Vinci, Charlie Trotter, BOKA, etc.), I think it's a great option for a special night out. You can get main floor seats and a wonderful dinner with wine for a lot less than the worst seats at the big commercial theaters in the loop. Just wanted to send out another option into the universe -- you can check out www.chicagoreader.com or chicagoplays.com for the latest theater listings. Steppenwolf is staging a Dietz play titled "Last of the Boys" with an AMAZING cast of actors that's running Sept. 15-Nov. 13. I've already got my tickets! In any case, I''m sure you'll have a great Chicago weekend!

ChgoGal, in case you return -- any buzz on the upcoming "After the Quake" at Steppenwolf? We're seeing both Last of the Boys, and Master Harold and the Boys (gee, sounds like a theme here), but can't seem to find much about the third choice while we're there. I'm also looking forward to Purlie at the Goodman, where a number of years ago I saw the MOST brilliant production of A Little Night Music.

Just wanted to pop in and say," thanks for the info" I am planning a theater weekend in Chicago for November and hadn't thought of anything but Wicked. Will check out Last of the Boys, especially with an amazing cast.

Tickets can be purchased at the box office. A few weeks ago we were able to get great tickets for Wicked at the box office at 5:00 PM for the evening performance. There are often last minutes returns.

now THAT is encouraging news. will let you all know how next week at box office goes.

I usually get my tickets directly from the box office of the theatre, if at all possible; however, if you are using Ticketmaster in Chicago, the one in Carson, Pirie, Scott (3rd floor) is the best way to go, IMHO. You can choose the exact seats.

Worst way to do Ticketmaster is online and then over the phone - I don't think I've ever had an experience with the phone sales that took less than 20 minutes, even when I knew the EXACT date I wanted the tix. Heaven help the person who's looking for the best seats with multiple dates in mind.

Patrick, I'm glad you were able to get tickets for Purlie. I had thought you were coming in on 10/26 and it was closing 10/23. The Goodman is always top notch and still more reasonably priced than most. My pick over Steppenwolf (gasp!).

One last thing to keep in mind on the theatre front. The LaSalle Bank Theatre (fka the Shubert) was supposed to have ALW's The Woman in White for a post-London/pre-Broadway engagement, until the plans changed to direct-to-Broadway. So the venue was looking for a replacement offering, I understood. I don't see anything posted yet, but keep checking. I cannot imagine they'll let that venue lie fallow for a lengthy amount of time following the megabuck restoration.

Recommend you consider these for dinner:

When you go to Wicked or the Goodman, Golden Budha (Chinese steakhouse) - it's about 4 blocks west on Randolph - next to the Giordano's. Also, Trattoria No. 10 at 10 N. Dearborn.

For your dinner over at Steppenwolf, also recommend BOKA and Cafe Bernard/Red Rooster Cafe for reasonably-priced, fine French. They share the same kitchen. The Rooster is less expensive but only has 12 tables so it fills up very quickly, as you can imagine. Also, the boys behind BOKA are supposed to be opening Landmark sometime next month.

There are a number of fine places further north on Halsted up in the Lakeview (Boystown) area - are you interested further afield than walking distance?

PS: For anyone who's interested, many of the historic theatre venues have tours. My recommendation, if you are interested in going to one, is to go to the one at the Auditorium. However, the Chicago Theatre, the Ford Performing Center for the Arts (fka Oriental), LaSalle Bank Theatre mentioned above, and others all have tours. Several years ago I took one of the Civic Opera Building which I greatly enjoyed.

Hi Patrick!

You sound like my kind of guy -- a real theater-lover!

"After the Quake" should be a quality show, but I'd take advantage of Steppenwolf's 'Twenty tix for $20' promotion while you're here. You can call on the day of the show, as soon as the box office opens (usually 11am, 1pm on Sunday) and buy tix at $20 each. I recommend buying tickets when you get here because, honestly, the subject matter is not necessarily going to inspire throngs of people pounding on the doors to get in -- even though the director is a brilliant man (Frank Galati) and the actors cast are very experienced.

It's going to be a tougher sell -- it's an all-Asian cast of actors in a story set in modern-day (1995) Japan after the earthquake, and the story is going to be a little surreal (6 ft. tall frog talking to people).

Look for reviews on the Sun Times and Tribune before you buy, and if it sounds intriquing, do the day-of discounted ticket option. I've done the rush ticket sale and the '20 for $20' maybe 10 times now, and it works really great -- especially since the theaters are so small, every seat is a great seat. i've even called the box office to volunteer-usher, which lets me see the show for free. And that's the cheapest ticket around. I wish "Wicked" took volunteers! Just my two cents!

Hope you have a great time in Chgo!

Thanks for that information, ChgoGal. I've been looking for ages for a good Japanese play about a 6 foot talking frog, so it sounds like this will fill the bill. LOL.