Auditorium Theatre

Here again recently for the Strands of Harmony Concert. Was very happy with everything from start to finish. Ticket entry went smoothly, merch line was handled well, everyone was nice and kind with information and helping out. I always enjoy coming here for shows and looking forward to seeing Creepy Nuts in April!

The staff was very friendly and helpful when I wandered into the wrong line for a concert. Very spacious, a good atmosphere. You can really feel the history in this place. And the FLOW concert they hosted was amazing!

This is a beautiful and historic venue close to Michigan Avenue. I have been to a couple of concerts here and both times have really enjoyed the atmosphere and the acoustics . The staff are super efficient, particularly staff at the main entrance conducting security checks. We went to see Gary Numan and The Psychedelic Furs on a Saturday night. We arrived just 15 minutes before the show was about to start but were able to find plenty of parking on the surface lot around the corner from the Theatre . For this concert, we were in box 22 . I loved the convenience of being able to order a drink to be delivered straight from the QR code and it was really comfortable and fun with plenty of space to dance. The box only accommodates four people, and luckily the other two people were really friendly and fun . It was a great view of the stage, and I did not miss being down in the pit. There are plenty of bathrooms and once the show was over, the Theatre emptied very quickly, and we were back in the car within minutes . I would love to see this Theatre in the daylight just to check out some of the Beautiful historic and architectural details !

So beautiful and fun! We recently attended a Mariachi concert with Lupita Infante. The theatre's architecture, along with all its beautiful stories, are super nice and admirable! I'd never been, but aside from a few rowdy folks in this event's audience 🙄, it was such a great experience! I highly recommend visiting the theatre, admiring, and absorbing its beauty 💚🙏.

The Auditorium is absolutely beautiful. My daughter and I attended Nightmare before Christmas in concert and it was incredible. The staff were all very kind and helpful for us first timers, the orchestra was phenomenal, the bathrooms were clean and abundant so the line moved quickly, and the seats were decently comfortable. They do check your bags for anything dangerous and you have to walk through a metal detector to get in. I appreciate their attention to safety.

Really big theatre that has great sound. Saw a concert here where the sound carried all the way up into the top of the seating area. The ushers and attendants were really helpful in getting people to their seats and helping to navigate the elevator too. There’s bathrooms on the first (plenty) and third floor (limited). The concert I went to was about 4 hours long and the theatre didn’t get super hot given the lights and all the people there. The seats are slightly uncomfortable given they are seats original to the theatre from when it first opened.

It was a great show, and the theater is beautiful but the show Coordinators had zero real food, just snacks and alcohol. Now what was I to do for 3 hours when I don't drink and all you got is chocolate and pretzels

Auditorium Theatre is an amazing venue and our visit for the Sting concert was truly memorable. The sound was clear, the view from the seats was excellent and the whole atmosphere felt special. The hall is beautiful and comfortable which makes the experience even better. There is a bar where you can grab a drink and you can even bring your beverage inside which is very convenient. Overall it is a wonderful place to enjoy live music and spend a great evening.

Great venue! Staff was kind and helpful, the building was beautiful, and had a great view from my seat. The signature cocktail, "the storyteller" was delicious, it was $16 (classic chicago theater/venue drink pricing, what can you do)

Saw Future Islands here 2 days ago and they put on an amazing show unfortunately whoever was working the mixing board should be fired then rehired then fired again...lol I've seen hundreds of concerts and this was the worst sounding concert in my entire life...The lead singer didn't even need to be there since you couldn't hear a thing he was saying and sometimes the music was off key...And people think aragon ballroom has bad sound. This was next level mushy blurred sound. It's sad to have to watch a band as good as this in a beautiful historical spot like this and the sound be this trash. I will never see a show here again...And thanks for making me dislike a great band (Well at least for this one night)

First experience in this theater was to see Beetlejuice the musical. Overall was impressed with the beauty of the theater however I did not like the process of getting into the theater. The entrance is long and off a very busy street and the way it was set up like you had to kind of walk into the street to get to the entrance so that was kind of a mess. The show was fantastic and I was very impressed with the talent and would recommend this musical for all ages. At this theater we actually set in a box. That was my first time sitting in a box (only 4 seats) and I really enjoyed it. Definitely worth upgrading to have that more personal feeling. Our seats were very comfy and there were no heads blocking our view. I would say the only annoying thing is the other 2 before in the box kept standing up during the performance. These seats were so comfy and spacious that they could stretched their legs sitting down....like seriously calm down. Another issue with this theater was the confusing lines to purchase merchandise. We got in one line and they let a group go and then told us we weren't in line which was not true. So then we had to get back in line. Meanwhile several people cut the line as the attendants were not very attentive. But for really liking the show...I almost didn't purchase my ornament. All in all it was fun times. I would come back to this theater. My drink was strong but the price to value was less to be desired. Nearby parking and a Peet's coffee was a highlight. Try to get to this spot at least 20 to 30 minutes before as getting in is quite a process.

The most uncomfortable seats I have ever sat in located in the upper balcony area. It was like sitting on a cardboard box. I felt claustrophobic with the lack of space and felt so stiff. The upper balcony area also made me feel scared in case of a fire or emergency because it is so tight. In one area there are several seats closed in with iron and a horrible obstructed view. $15 for a tiny drink was ridiculous. Bathrooms were nice and staff who worked there were super nice.

Went to see the sugar hill nutcracker. A real treat. The seats were at the gallery and it was a lovely experience.

Did you know that this is a national historical landmark? It's a gorgeous theater with 3,901 seats total. Elegance and opulence abound. We recently went here to see the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra preform with special guests, Tank and the Bangas. The acoustics are phenomenal, and even though we were sitting in one of the balconies, it sounded like we were sitting on the front row. The seats were nice, with plenty of leg room. Get there early so you can truly take in the beautiful architecture and decor of the theater.

This was my first time at this theater, and although it is a beautiful and historic lesson learned do not get seats in the upper balcony. But I will say I guess you get what you paid for. The seats in the upper balcony are narrow and uncomfortable. During the performance of Beetlejuice, the lights in the upper balcony don't dim as much, so it was distracting. Another thing was when anyone got up the stairs made noises so that was another factor. They have an elevator that makes things accessible and made for getting out faster because walking up 6 flights of stairs, I was tired. They have a bar and snack on every floor, which is nice. The bathroom was big and clean. The history surrounding the building is amazing. I will come back if there is another show in town, but I will def get closer seats for better comfort.

We recently went to a concert here. The first in many years. The theater was designed by Adler and Sullivan and opened in 1889. It featured electricity and air conditioning which was rare at the time. With gorgeous 24 karat gold leafed ceiling arches, it is a sight to behold. At obesity time, it was the tallest building in Chicago. It is a National Historic Landmark, a building otitis built for operas, but with its stunning architecture and prefect acoustics, it is a theater that everyone should enjoy.

This is a wonderful old theater. The architecture is amazing and so well maintained. All of the staff were very friendly, professional and guided many people to their seats. Many reviews mention uncomfortable seating, but out seats were located in the dress circle and were fine. The sound was excellent. There were no bathrooms on our floor, but the bathrooms on the floor above us were fine, but there were only two stalls in the woman's bathroom. We used spot hero and was able to park two blocks away for $8.00 for a Sunday evening event. The venue is historic and beautiful.

Sound: Awesome Vibe: Very cool Comfort: Ungodly awkward Accessibility: Not very (They have ramps and elevators but seating and aisles are NARROW and treacherous in the balconies) Inclusion: Considerable (gender neutral bathrooms available) Came to see The National and the sound was awesome even in the nosebleed section...which felt more like Quasimodo seating than anything. The balconies are VERY vertigo inducing. Steep, rigid seating with confusing railings, stairs and navigation. Seating was so uncomfortable it was ALMOST entertaining. The seats are DEFINITELY not fat friendly whatsoever. We had 6th floor balcony seats and had tried to choose seats that seemed at least moderately accessible, but everything is so narrow it was nearly impossible to navigate without feeling like I was going to go tumbling down 5 floors of balconies. Luckily I survived without incident...unless you count flat, numb glutes incidental. Still glad I came and I would probably revisit if a great band was playing at a reasonable rate. Our tickets were in the $40ish range for maybe second to worst quality seats in the place. Not terrible for a great band. I would hope perhaps they might allow a medical cushion for me though? Entry was super smooth and fast, but I came about 2 songs into the opener.

Went to see Beetlejuice was a nice night. It's a beautiful theater amazing detail accents on the building interior. the seats he had were phenomenal. They were a little old. W could feel the springs was kind of funny, but I highly recommend my seat section where Z orchestra could see the stage no obstructive view. I did try to make note of the obstructed seats because we were looking at those at one point, and the pillar doesn't seem to be like it would be a little restrictive but probably not awful. The bathroom is downstairs so that was hard. If you have issues, there was an elevator. The gentleman that works behind the beverage counter was very rude and very unfriendly. The cast was fantastic amazing performance so fun. , . The usher was fantastic, super nice super friendly, very personable.

Went for an Indian musical and got seats in the 3rd floor balcony.... The seats were like 100 years old with bad and dirty covers . I felt very ikky to sit there ... the auditorium is old and needs constant maintenance. I hope the management does something to restore this beautiful space

Located near Michigan Avenue, this huge auditorium held the packed audience members. I ordered tickets a month ago and didn't notice until today that they didn't arrive by email. I called two times with no luck. I emailed and customer service sent me a ticket. I thought that I ordered a different seat and they put me further back in the theater. Metal detectors greeted guests. Tom Hanks was funny and was describing his new future ventures and book which was included in the ticket. I loved him in Big, an older comedy movie. I saw his newest movie but was disappointed that it was more sentimental and poignant than comedic. He was interviewed by wbez. The show was longer than mentioned. Ubers were very pricey as the show ended. No photos were allowed during which was a bummer. Instead of waiting for elevators many elected to walk the staircase to enter or exit the building.

I have been fortunate enough to see a few shows at the Auditorium Theatre and have enjoyed every experience and show here. A few days ago I saw the Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Show and had another consistently great experience! As for parking, if you can take public transit, that would be best if you do not want to pay for parking/deal with Loop traffic. All of the staff I interacted with were kind and friendly. The wait times to get in were not long at all. One weird thing about the theatre is that there are no bathrooms on the second floor and can be a bit odd to find. The staff will definitely help you find the closest one, though. The seats were fairly comfy as well despite them being old. I have sat in different parts of the theatre and have never had a bad view of the stage. The details of the theatre are incredibly breathtaking and I love how they added some festive lights for the festive show! This theatre has a quite the variety of shows, so if you find one that interests you, please go to this theatre!

Went here to see BeetleJuice. This is a bit theater that started 1889 and has a lot of history. The acoustic is fantastic. The beetlejuice show was fantastic. Lots of great humor, very much updated to present political times. The cast is amazing. We had so much fun for the 2.5 hour show with an intermission.

Don't have concerts that don't allow phones if you're going to inconsistently enforce it. Don't have seating if you're going to turn the show into a general admission show where people are standing anywhere. What a weird venue.

I always enjoy coming to see Alvin Ailey . We got the seats for the 1 p.m. matinee early and decided to go with box seats. My friend arrived before me and it was after I was being seated that I looked across at another box and saw her. Our tickets were for Box 26 seats 4 & 5. Before the show my friend (who arrived before me) was already seated in a box. This was move no. 1. Then during intermission when we returned we were told we were in the wrong box and had to be moved right before the final act began.(move no. 2) And the finale was so good but I didn't really enjoy because I was pissed over having to be moved twice. I don't know what is so complicated about reading our tickets but apparently Auditorium staff needs to be trained to do that.

This is an old world beautiful theater. It's stunning to walk in to. Sometimes with these old theaters don't necessarily have the best seating. But you really won't find a bad seat in the house. And the sound system stands up to my scrutiny. You'll have a wonderful experience.

The auditorium theater is an establishment in which the Mission and values do not align with it's policies and procedures. When an organization's values do not align with it's day to day operations, the values clearly just on paper. This is the reality of the Auditorium theater. I have been a long time supporter of the Alvin Ailey Dance performance that is hosted here each year! Last year I was unable to make it because a family emergency. Prior to the event, I called, no answer, left messages, no answer. Finally on the day of the performance I reached someone and they told me no refunds. How does this align with inclusion, accessibility and equity? As a disabled person I am disappointed in how I was treated and I lost $200 to a organization that has to make hundreds of thousands each year. I called recently to ask if I could attend the performance this year and not only did they deny the request, Emily was very rude and condescending. I will not support this organization anymore because it's contradictions and polices; In there mission statement they claim to be for the people and shared humanity, this is a lie. They are not. I will spread the word. Here is their mission statement: The Auditorium Theatre thrives on the shared humanity that the performing arts provide, and we are at our best when our leadership, partnerships, and the work we present on our stage reflects the world around us and the audiences that walk through our doors. Core to this belief is a commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility. We are dedicated to leveraging the transformative power of the arts to fully become the Theatre for the People.

This is a wonderful old theater, could use a little love. We saw a concert and had lower box seats. It provided a great view. The staff was all very nice and helpful. I loved the history behind the theater. Apparently you used to walk up a few steps to get in but now you walk down a few steps instead. The security staff was efficient and fast. I felt very safe that all were vaccinated and wearing masks. The acoustics were wonderful.

We sat in the gallery (cheapest seats) it was a phenomenal view and show (we saw Mitski!!) between the opener and Mitski we went from the 6th floor to the 1st floor for a bathroom break, the workers in there had traffic moving so fast we were back in our seats with time to spare. There are also bathrooms on the 3rd floor but I cannot speak for the attendance. Great EXPERIENCE ALL AROUND! Would recommend for concerts!!

Took the historic Auditorium Tour today and it was great! Our "guide" Joel was a wealth of knowledge and showed us the theatre from bottom to top. Really a not to be missed tour.

Went to see Surgar Hill: Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker at the Auditorium. Beautiful theater. Great sound, however I kept picking tickets for Box 40 row 1, but it kept defaulting to supposedly 'best available' Box 35 row 2. The seats were horrible! Could only see a sliver of the stage through the people in Box 34 row 1. Had to stand throughout the show if I wanted to see the dancers. I'm 69 and too old for that. Really put a damper on my enjoyment of an otherwise excellent show

John P was a marvelous guide who has been attending the Auditorium Theater for years and years as a patron and now donates his time as a guide with the upmost passion for this wonderful theater - highly recommend this tour. Some say the aisles are narrow and treacherous in the balconies but this was built in the late 1800s and it still exists! Magnificent. Wonder day

I went here with my family to see the Nutcracker Ballet performed in the context of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair by the Joffrey Ballet! Absolutely incredible! My favorite parts were: Part 1- The fact that the entire backdrop and scenes were set in Chicago at that time (1893) and that the main character "Marie" was a local girl who was given the Nutcracker at her familiy's holiday house party in a lower-middle-class setting where neighborhood families came together wearing clothing from that era and featuring a glimpse of what an average home looked like during that time period. Part 2- During the opening of the Second Part of the Ballet, Marie and her Nutcracker arrive in a Venetian Gondola aka Boat from Venice, Italy to watch individual and group performances. During the Chicago World's Fair of 1893 actual Venetian Gondolas were featured on-site at the Fair and rides were available for people on the lagoon at the Fair! Upon arrival Marie and the Nutcracker disembark from the Venetian Gondola and they are welcomed to attend various performers from different backgrounds perform for them in the context of the Chicago World's Fair of 1893. Examples included- Instead of the Sugar Plum Fairy a huge house with a woman on top hosted dancing Walnuts that opened and closed with the dancers making funny expressions who were dancing ballet and-were later chased by boys dressed as fighting Nutcrackers with swords who emerged from the house with the lady on top to "crack" the nuts! Buffalo Bill Cody who danced ballet with his cowboy hat, leather chaps, and lasso accompanied by three ladies of questionable status in glittery leotards and feather hats. The Theater=Owned by Roosevelt University: Was well restored and very ornate. There were venues in the main lobby before the show selling, wine, beer, spirits, champagne (complete with fancy plastic champagne glasses) and non-alcoholic drinks. There were also small snacks and small things to eat. It was nice to be able to bring your food and beverages into the theater seating area itself and enjoy during the show. As people exited there were theater ushers with garbage bags to collect the remaining wrappers or cups which was nice. The Seating: Was elegant and vintage. It was stadium seating on the ground floor and they must have been constructed in ancient times when people were not quite as tall because it appeared that many people verbally mumbled about the blocked views. I had to shift my body and head also to be able to see the performance and it was still minimally adequate aka there were blocked views. FYI-The Ballet Performance received a fully packed audience and a FULL STANDING OVATION at the end! Truly a phenomenally outstanding performance by all members of the Joffrey Ballet! 5 Stars for the performance by the Joffrey Ballet. 4 Stars for the seating in the theater-blocked views on the main floor seating.

We were at the theatre last night to see "Across the Pond" by the phenomenal Joffrey Ballet. We had box seats, lower right, Box 5 which are great seats to view any performance but were particularly fantastic to see dancers. Acoustics, lights, seat comfort, staff attention, and the fact that the theatre offers "all gender bathrooms" were all lovely. The attendants are truly wonderful and our usher actually walked us to our seats, up a staircase! But there's the downside. I have a knee injury and had to navigate so many stairs! The ladies bathrooms were also down a huge flight of stairs. I heard the Theatre is 134 years old. It is absolutely beautiful but the downside is, yes, some parts are difficult to access and others bits are quite dated and show their age. Maybe vintage is a better word. The carpets around the box seating appears vintage. Also our box had peeling paint above us. The temperature fluctuated- hot, cold, hot. So overall a fantastic experience. Oh, we somehow also scored our seats for $44 each. I'm not sure how. But we definitely had $44 worth of fun each last night at the Auditorium Theatre!

This venue is enormous and gorgeous. We had balcony seats for opening night of the nutcracker and it was phenomenal, the effects were dazzling and the seats had a great view! From what I could tell every seat in the house had a good view. FYI: The vending was a bit confusing as there are multiple places on the main floor, but you cannot bring any drinks purchased at concessions into the theater unless you purchase the souvenir cup. It was a little misleading because they said we could prepurchase drinks and they would have them on a table for pick up, but again weren't allowed to bring them in. So just know you can't bring drinks in unless you have the souvenir cup. The venue is so beautiful though, historic, the lighting and space is cozy!

Saw The National here for a Sunday night show...great venue and sound to see a concert!

I actually went to this theater as part of an R&B concert I had read all the previous reviews on Yelp so I was prepared for the not so clean seats and I wore my black ensemble It's an intimate theater I think it's perfect for the concert you see is elevated Above the Rest and even in the balcony I believe that you can have a good view as well the seats are close together and compact The only thing I could say is that they don't have a lot of things to purchase besides drinks if you wanted something to eat but the drinks must have been good because I said hundreds of people back and forth to the bar area for drinks I had to actually pick up my ticket at will call and I love that they had it already ready for me and a little envelope with my name on it and there was no line no wait

Our first visit to the theatre was just after a tour of one of Frank Lloyd Wright's homes in the area. Fun fact: this great architect worked for the architecture firm of Adler and Sullivan while the Auditorium Theatre was being built. Is it safe to assume he worked on this project? If you know, please comment! Why I love this theatre: 1. It transports you to another time with its ornate decorations and murals. 2. Each seat I've sat in had a wonderful view, although we've never sat up in the very top balcony. 3. You can purchase food and beverage in the lobby. Very convenient if seeing a matinee and need a snack before dinner reservations. 4. Great location near Grant Park. We aren't from Chicago and usually are staying in a hotel close to the theatre. 5. They always staff a ton of people at the doors to scan tickets... so you aren't waiting out in the cold. Enjoy whatever you are seeing at the Auditorium. For me it's always the Joffrey Ballet.

Wouldn't postpone or cancel a show during a blizzard where the entire rest of the city shut down

It's an okay theatre. It's neither my favorite nor my least favorite. I've been here a few times for various performances, but haven't really had any issues until now. The theatre itself is gorgeous, and the orchestra was fantastic. We came to see Giselle, which was visually stunning and lovely. I wish there was a better staff situation though. Though there are a few ushers, but not many. It was needed during the final production of Giselle. Off behind me a child would not stop making noise. Whining, yelping, rustling papers, bouncing their seat. It got to the point where other audience members were actively "shhh"ing them, which was upsetting the child's mother and was just making the whole scene louder. It definitely took away from the performance. Also, because of the quiet nature of this particular ballet, the ushers that were in the hallway of the 4th level were SO LOUD. I could hear their entire conversations and it was frustrating, especially because they were needed on the floor. So why does this place have four stars? Because they don't allow snacks and drinks in the theatre. I thought this goes without saying, but lately the Broadway in Chicago theatres have started allowing food and drinks inside and it is distracting and loud, not to mention that it makes the theatre dirtier. I'm glad that the no food rule still stands here!

I really like the Auditorium Theater for several reasons. The location is great because it's easy to get to. There are several restaurants nearby for pre-theater dinner and cocktails. And it's out of the fray of the theater district proper. The productions they offer are always top notch. I have enjoyed many shows here. They are diverse and showcase great talent. The staff is welcoming and professional. I always feel well taken care of. They offer directions and assistance of any kind with a smile. There is just something about walking into a classic theater, being treated well and replacing with a great production.

Looking at the architecture on the inside of this Theatre is a treat in itself. High ceiling and wide stage. Home of the Joffrey Ballet. We were were seated in GG, which was the second level. Best seats in the house for the best price!!! We paid $88/ ticket to see the Joffrey Ballet's the Nutcracker. Some of the tickets were $400+, which is a little pricey. Clear view. PHENOMENAL!! There isn't a restroom on the second floor, so you have to go down a floor or up a floor. However, unlike the CIBC, the restrooms here have many stalls per gender. The staff members are SO accommodating and cheerful. I don't know how they usher and crowd control 700+ people in a matter of minutes, but they do it! Ballet starts right at the showtime. We went to the 7:00PM showing, and they started at 7:00PM ON THE DOT. It's up to staffs discretion whether to let you in or not, if you are late. DO NOT be late, for etiquette and theatre policy sake. 100% would go again to see the Joffrey Ballet next year! Outstanding performance from the dancers and orchestra! Internal structure to complement! Bravo!

My niece's high school graduation was held here. I don't visit theaters all that often, but I'm a fan of history and architecture. The Auditorium Theatre is rich in both. My family and I went up to the balcony for the ceremony. The seats are comfortable, and the view was splendid. I also liked how clear the acoustics were. While looking at the stage, I couldn't help but try to envision how it was set up for the 2015 and 2016 editions of the NFL Draft. TV provided a different perspective. For the locals who would like to catch a show here, take the L since one of the lines runs close by. Valet parking -- well, parking in general-- induces headaches.

Arts and Theater fans shouldn't miss a trip to the auditorium. First opened in 1847, this gem seats nearly 4,000 people - so you're pretty much guaranteed to get a seat to see anything you want there (though it may be from the back of the sky-high catwalk balcony). The building has all of the opulence of old Chicago, and your first step inside will take your breath away when you see it all lit up, with all the gold and painted murals and fabulousness. So even if the performance is awful, the experience will be impressive. Of course, a building this old does show its age - stairs and aisles have all settled oddly, so walking to your seat may feel a bit like walking on a boat docked in rolling waves, and if you're in the balcony, you may worry that tripping will send you tumbling over the edge (I've never seen it happen, though, so you're probably safe). Not a lot of ADA thought went into this building, and almost every seat in the house requires at least one step up to get into (I think I heard an usher say there are something like 18 seats that don't?). Also, plan to wait in a long line when you need to use the restrooms - I'm always glad I'm not a woman when I see how bad they have it. The Auditorium is home to a regular dance series from world-renowned companies (though the Joffrey is moving their annual Nutcracker to the Lyric opera. Too bad - the set for the second act was designed specifically to match the auditorum so that the line between "stage" and "audience" disappeared). David Sedaris seems to come read at least once a year. Don't forget to grab a glass of champagne before the show or during intermission!

Majestic vintage beautiful building hosting large events. Convenient location between Wabash, Michigan and Congress. High ceilings with antique decor. However the seats are a bit old and tired as well and could use some updating. The sound and acoustics are good. We came to watch Alvin Ailey and it was a good pleasant experience.

Beautiful theater and great experience at the matinee showing of The Nutcracker today. The staff were all pleasant, helped us find our seat, and did a good job making sure people stayed off their phones! (Seriously, why is there always that one jerk who feels it's okay to try and take pics of the show!?!). Also, prices of drinks and snacks were reasonable. I had called earlier today to buy tickets and the gentleman I spoke to at the box office was superb! Helped me get the seats I wanted efficiently and smoothly! The Joffrey Ballet was amazing. Stellar performance.

This is a long overdue review for this beautiful theater. I've been here to see the Joffrey Ballet and Alvin Ailey several times, and I don't believe there's a bad seat in the house. Actually one time we were in one of the box rooms off to the sides in the 2nd row of seats, and our view was restricted due to the people in the 1st row. I went and told one of the ushers and they moved us with no problem. Another time I had a boot on from an ankle injury and they accommodated me on the main floor in far forward seats instead of the ones we bought. The ushers are always friendly and helpful. This time I bought tickets at the last minute through Hot Tix via their box office, at almost 1/2 price. The tickets were at will call and I didn't know where we'd be seated. Thinking we'd be in the upper balcony all the way to the back, we were pleasantly surprised to be ushered through Aisle two, to seats in the middle of the main floor, just off the center aisle! The view was fantastic!! Lately we've preferred the box seating. The theater itself is gorgeous, and it's well kept. Even the ladies restroom is big and very clean. They serve cocktails, other beverages and a few snacks for purchase in the lobby before the show and at intermission, and while they only have popcorn, chips and various candy, who really wants to eat while you're watching a performance? Yet I really like that you can take your snack or drinks in the theater. The lighting and sound are wonderful. I love coming here! The only downside is parking in their lot across the street and in nearby lots is expensive, but it's Chicago so we're used to getting gauged. I can't wait to go again.

Very beautiful theatre. It's very open, clean, and perfect for a good show. We saw the Nutcracker, which was a very good production. I would happily go back to watch a show here.

Saw The Color Purple. Pros: Seamless check in, no crazy lines, wide staircases, theater was easy to navigate and swiftly exit. Amazing view and sound! Cons: As luck would have it, a family with young children sat behind me and next to my date. The Color Purple is for mature audiences only, not sure why young kids would be in the box seats for 2.5 hours at a late show where adults are drinking. I overheard one of the kids ask their parents why Shug and Celie were kissing. Talk about awkward!!! Minus one star for filthy, torn seats. Love this theater, but please consider cleaning the chairs in the boxes. Totally shocked that my premium seats looked like they were pulled from a dumpster.

Magnificent. Magestic. Magical. Words cannot sum up how grandiose and awe-inducing this theatre is. Mind you, it is old, over a hundred years. But that's part of why if feels like you're traveling back in time going up those beautiful stairways holding on to gold railings. My friends and I attended the Dance for Life Chicago 2017 benefit concert here last night, and it was all very professional. The ticket scanning went smoothly given the sheer amount of people there. There were staff at every stairway and junction on each floor providing directions and programs. A multitude of bars and restrooms to accommodate many guests. And I haven't even started talking about the stage yet. The stage is massive. The high ceiling is so high that there is a lower and upper balcony. The art on the walls reminds me of Renaissance art, and the show itself was lovely. I'll be on the lookout for future shows here.

Despite the mask policy being dropped for indoors several months ago, you still have to wear a mask at all times throughout the performance. If not, they will seriously walk through and make a scene. I saw three people with their phones out visibly recording the show and they did nothing. They had mask radar however and were quick to leap on anyone and everyone that had their mask on even an inch below the nose. The bars aren't open because "it's just not safe" and they don't want people to be able to eat or drink because, you guessed it, they have to drop their masks. I'm not sure what world they're living in. I won't go back. Written 5/22

This review is based on the theatre itself, not on any shows I've seen here. This place is setup nicely. The lobby is clean and typically well organized. Though during the show I attended last night, there seem to have been a lot of venders in the hallway. Though a bit obtrusive, I understand they have to make a living. The theatre itself is nice, the seats are comfortable and so well placed that you can see the stage from just about anywhere. The design and lighting is amazing, beautifully designed. The only issue is that the seats are a bit low so if you somebody tall sits in front of you, you can forget seeing a portion of the stage. (That's what happened to me last night). Overall, nice theatre though.

The theatre was beautiful. Lots of character in the murals, and lighting. The seats are a bit dated but I felt that added to the ambiance of the Old World feel. The sound and stage were of qood quality for the ballet. We were happy even with the side seats which is sometimes difficult with a ballet stage. Lots of convenient parking, and the entry was quick. This was much appreciated in the cold, windy day. A few options for snacks/drinks around the lobby area. Can get a bit cramped and seating is very limited if you are bringing anyone who may need seating while waiting for doors to open. The line for the women's restroom can get long quickly but moves surprisingly fast. The will call pick up line was fantastic. Easy pick up and no line at that entrance.

This is my least favorite venue in all of Chicago. Note the following: 1. Never get a seat that is anywhere but on the main floor. The theatre is so deep you feel like you are across the street when u sit in a balcony 2. Bring a seat cushion. - your ass will hurt the seats are so old and uncomfortable. 3. Go to the bathroom before you leave- massive lines. 4. Have blinders on because ushers walk up and down aisles before and during the shows. 5. Pay $25 to park across the street. Know your license plate number.

This was such a beautiful theatre! It is magical and grand, with small gorgeous details in every part of the building. The staff is so friendly and helpful. Right when I walked in, I received direction from multiple people, making it easy to navigate and find my place. They serve snacks and beverages outside of the theatre in the hallways, and you can't take your drink in the theatre (but you can take bottled water). There is parking nearby at "Park 1", as well as street parking. I would suggest going here for any show! The 3rd floor has great views.

I flew from Honolulu to watch this show with my son. The staff and audience were both pretentious, we sat at the $100 dollars seats. I'm guessing those people around really saved up for this night. They kept on looking at us and this old antique looking white man sheeesched my son as he is 5 and curious about the people dancing in tights. The productions great and I applaud them, just the the audience are so uptight, they looked as none of them fart. The pretentious theater sells cooking wine and m& m, it's such a cheap experience. Overall, I ended up leaving during intermission. I should have donated the money to cancer research. ORDER #: 24071777 Joffrey Ballet - The Nutcracker Auditorium Theatre Chicago Event Date: Fri. Dec 21, 2018 7:00 PM

Beautiful old theatre with decent viewing unless you are way up top, but several cons (mostly pertaining to the orchestra section) worth mentioning in case these are deal-breakers... - The seats in the orchestra+ higher are VERY small. As in, if you are taller than 5'10 or have long legs, you will not fit... your legs will hit the seat in front of you, including the person sitting there. Also, they are narrow, so if you have wide hips or are more than 200 lbs, you likely won't fit. Plan accordingly... there are box seats with wider chairs that will be comfortable for you and won't disrupt your neighbor. - If you're high up in the orchestra, there are several large beams that might obscure your view. Check the seat map carefully. - The lobby will be the temp outside if it's cold. I was there on a December day and it was FREEZING until I got up in the orchestra level. Then once inside, it was roasting. Probably 75-80 degrees in the orchestra level. - You can't bring beverages in with you, and I don't think you are supposed to bring food in either - and considering anything you eat/have on your lap is literally inches from the person's head in front of you, please don't be chowing down during the performance. I am not so lucky to have had a courteous family behind me - kids and mom fiddling with a bag of chips and eating them all throughout the performance, yay, thanks!). If you get a snack/drink at intermission, you will have to chug! - An Italian restaurant advertised a free glass of prosecco on the ticket, and since it was right by our El stop, we stopped in to try a snack or something. Not only was the staff unaware of the coupon/very weird about honoring it, but they totally ignored us even though we wanted to see a menu. Why pay for an ad on the ticket when you're going to be rude to the patrons using it?? This also doesn't really look good for the theatre, which appears to endorse them. Pricing also seems abnormally high given all these cons, however the performers are top-notch. But, in comparison to all the performances I have seen in San Francisco, a rip-off. Same experience in a much more upscale, comfortable venue here in SF is at least $20 less for a matinee show. Bravo to the performers and orchestra! Plan accordingly to enjoy them.

Came here to see the nutcracker! Very historic and beautiful theater. We sat near the rear of the theater on the second floor but still had a fantastic view. Most of the seats have a clear sight line down to the stage and very few seats had obstructed views and I noticed that no one was even seated there with a pretty full house! The house staff were helpful with finding your seat and very polite. Wish some of the patrons didn't insist on eating the loudest possible foods I.e tic tacs and altoids (really???) but thats not on the theater ;) will definitely be back to see other shows.