Auditorium Theatre

I saw the Joffrey Ballet on Sunday and it was wonderful.
The bathroom line was long, the seats were crowded, but once that ballet started, I forgot all about that. I had a wonderful time and great atmosphere.

The Joffrey ballet was the only thing I booked in advance of my first visit to Chicago. I was really looking forward to it and spent a little more than I usually would on entertainment. I even came to Unilocal to research where I should sit! Because I’m in Chicago for work, I came from a convention and was a couple minutes late. It’s my fault, but they rerouted me to the upper balcony until intermission even though the curtain didn’t lift until a couple minutes after I’d sat down. I hated being up there without a proper view – for me it was worse than watching it on TV. I’m not even sure how I feel about the performance. I had a hard time focusing because I was stewing and was surrounded by noisy children and the other late people coming in and out. I was relieved to get to my seat after intermission, but it was SO cramped (Dress Circle), I couldn’t move without elbowing the girls on both sides of me, and it took me out of the experience even more. I know I shouldn’t have been late, but the whole time I was just wishing I’d skipped it. Don’t be late, and don’t sit in the upper balcony or dress circle.

As always, I have a great time visiting the down town area. I came here to see the Alvin Aliey American Dance Company. This was first time seeing this company. The show was wonderful. I was at AWh! WoW! I was so amazed how limber & flexible the performer were.
Seating. Great view and able to see the performance. Our seats were in the balcony. I was disappointed that its only one elevator in the entire theatre. There were several senior citizens who depending on wheelchair accessibilities. Up and down ales were difficult because there aren’t railing along the side steps. Couple of seniors needed assistants walking up the steps.
Women restroom on the main level is not accessible for a person with disability. Too many steps required to entered the bathroom.
I love and enjoyed my visit to the auditorium theatre. However, those safety concerns needs to be addressed.

This is a long overdue review for this beautiful theater. I’ve been here to see the Joffrey Ballet, and Alvin Ailey three 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 2^nd row of seats, and our view was restricted due to the people in the 1^st 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 ½ 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!
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.

Beautiful theatre. Huge space. Old/​vintage feel. Excellent views from all over. Check out my pictures for views from my seat.

Wonderful place! The atmosphere is pleasant and the building looks beautiful. It can get very messy during the rush. The staff can get a bit unpleasant if you need help. Bathroom can be quite the mess mid show. The performances is always great.

They hire uncouth, mouthy, neanderthals for their crowd control and ushering. So you spend 150 bucks a ticket to be barked at like a floor sweeper in a warehouse! The seats are so tightly crammed together its obvious they are money grabbers without the slightest concern for patrons. I am a thin male, 6ft tall, 165lbs and was barely able to shift an inch in the seat! Legroom? Hahahaha! Having seen so much theatre from Poland to France, the theater comfort and beauty in Europe is superior in every way. This place was abysmal and an outrage. Why do Americans put up with this?!

I purchased tickets for the Joffrey Ballet Nutcracker for a Saturday evening show. These tickets were not the lowest priced seats so I had high hopes that we would have a lovely evening at the theatre. Our tickets were in section, FBLCLS, Row C, seats 708 – 710. We basically had a partial view of the stage. It was miserable! I was so upset that I sat there for the first half in dismay that I wasn’t warned by ticket master that there was an obstruction, or a partial view when purchasing the tickets. After the show was over, I decided to see if there was office staff or anyone that could assist me with this issue. I ended up talking with a manager that told me «Well if you would have come down and told us, we could have given you different seats.» I guess call me crazy that when I buy 3 tickets for $ 224, I expect to see the stage. I was told this was the first time anyone has ever complained about this section and there isn’t anything they can do now that the show is over. They have offered me tickets to other performances but I live in Indiana and cannot make it to the city for these dates nor are they shows of interest to me. The theatre is beautiful yes but be careful where your seats are because they certainly will sell them to you at the highest price they can. It was not a good experience and I won’t be going back.

Beautiful venue inside. Lines were moving quick comfortable seats… concessions etc. Came here to see the Nutcracker. Close location to lsd and highway and transit. Try and look at the art on the ceiling and decipher it yourself.

This place is like theatre heaven. So beautiful and regal. Historical (125 yeas old) it’s actually floating on pilar beams! I love this theatre. Mostly here for Joffrey (this is their official theatre) but also enjoy other dance companies here as well.
The staff are the best people you could ever imagine — gracious and accommodating.

Worst front of house (ticket takers and front entrance) I’ve ever encountered. They act as if they are driving cattle, not welcoming patrons. The place is a zoo. If I spent $ 600 to take my family to a wonderful restaurant, we’d be welcomed, assisted and treated with courtesy. AVOID THIS THEATER AT ALL COSTS.

Saw Anthony Bourdain here. Did the VIP which they could have reminded us when we checked in that we had to get the pass from will call. Had to go out and come back in to get the passes. The VIP could have been better organized. A line formed but then people came and redid the line which meant people who queued up early ended up at the back of the line. Not really fair.

This was a beautiful place. It’s a fairly large venue for an event. It can accommodate close to 4000. We had gone there for AR Rahman concert and it was good. The sound and light quality was really good and it was a packed house. It’s very accessible through the Blue line as well.

Lets just say JOE saved the day! my friend bought tickets for the A. R Rahman concert as a gift via stubhub and sent me an email. I couldnt print tickets bcos i didnt have her password and showed with a print out after giving it to someone at the will call was told they couldnt honor the printout even though seat numbers were assigned. We were disappointed about the $ 200 going down the drain, then Mr. Joe printed duplicate tickets and got us in. The ushers were super efficient in finding our seats as well. would like to go back for another concert.

Attended the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater concert here in 14′ and ’15. The initial time that I saw the dance troop, I sat on the floor, 3 rows from the stage. My view was great and the performance was inspirational. The last time I went, I sat in the front balcony with hopes of an even better view and less crowding. The seats in the balcony were not filled but the view lacked luster. Overall — Great theater and performances.
Tip: If you’re a student, try and wait until after the first of the performance prior to purchasing tickets. You can get $ 150 tickets for $ 12.50!!!

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.

I had the privilege of seeing a Friday evening performance of the Joffrey Ballet’s The Nutcracker here earlier this month. The last time I’d been to see the Nutcracker was at the Milwaukee Ballet when I was seven, so I clearly didn’t appreciate all of the nuances — though I will say, my seven-​year-​old self was probably more kickin’ (style-​wise) than adult me, as it was a cold evening and fashion needed to take a backseat to function on this latest venture to the ballet. It was fun milling around the lobby, before the performance and during intermission, to see the kids (and some adults, too) decked out in their fancy holiday duds. The children’s choir was adorable, and took my back to my time singing in a choir during my elementary school years. With the tree and festive decorations, not to mention the pre-​show glass of prosecco that I enjoyed, this venue and the performance itself put me in a decidedly festive frame of mind.
The theatre itself is an architectural masterwork. There is a restoration project underway to bring features such as the mosaics and plush seats back to their former glory. With its elegant, ornate interior, the theatre is the perfect backdrop for the Nutcracker. The staging and scenery, not to mention the dancing itself, was world-​class. The acoustics were excellent, and our seats in the orchestra view afforded an unobstructed view of the musicians. I made a break for the women’s room during the intermission. I was daunted at first, as the older theaters don’t always have the best reputation when it comes to restroom space, but didn’t have any difficulty with the line.
This time of year can be stressful with parties, shopping, and other attendant obligations. It is good to be able to be transported, if only for a few hours, to the childlike state of wonder portrayed in The Nutcracker, as a reminder of what makes the holidays truly significant.

This is a pretty nice venue. We were lucky enough to score box seats for a Sigur Ros concert here. The view from our suite was great, but the sound was off. We attended their concert at UIC theater awhile back. The seats were far from the stage, but the sound was fantastic.
The bar prices were pretty decent, and I appreciated being able to take drinks back to our seating area. I would go again for the right band, but with the expectation that the sound will not be the best.

I started writing this last night, so it’s mostly true. We really didn’t JUST get home from spending an evening at the Auditorium.
After sleeping in all morning, I decided my review would not be authentic if I started over. So, this is how my 250^th Unilocal must begin.
As soon as we walked in the grand entry, my mind traveled back in time and my heart started racing with excitement. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and inhaled the long history of this amazing theater.
I had total recall of all the live performances I’ve ever attended over the years in the theater district, small Northside venues, comedy clubs, concerts and at this Auditorium.
It made me appreciate and remember all the people I once knew who had similar interests for the performing arts. Those of whom gave me the opportunity to be a part of a live audience. Then, 6 years ago today (³⁄₂₉), I met a man who told me exactly what I did not want to hear.
As «they» say, opposites attract but similarities will keep us together (ok, I improvised). He has always been steadfast about not going to baseball games and has a disinterest for the performing arts.
So you can imagine my surprise when he told me he purchased tickets to see Amy Schumer and had been hiding them from me for a couple months. Thank you Amy!
Without my boyfriend watching your uncensored televised stand up performance one fateful night on Comedy Central, I wouldn’t be giddy about where I was, who I was with or who I saw on stage!
It is not the same as watching «it» on TV or the big screen. Things get beeped, edited, cut to commmercial… I don’t get to enjoy the comradery like we do when I’m at a live sporting event, concert or comedy club. Who could watch Les Miserables at an AMC once you’ve seen it twice on stage?!
I hope they made their goal last night to fund preserving this beautiful and breathtaking landmark.
A personal reminder to myself for future events: 4^th floor, aisle 2, N301 and N302. Aisle on one side, a large pillar on otherside so no one sits on either side of us. Unobstructed view of stage unless you’re unlucky to have a giant sitting in front of you.
There’s even space between the seat and the pillar to store coats, purse, whatever. The theater is immaculate so I didn’t think twice or hesitate to store anything between there.
In case you’re wondering, he bought the tickets in Dec through ticketmaster for $ 37.50 each. He makes me proud!

I have seen a number of different performances here but am here most often to see the Joffrey Ballet. My favorite seats are in the Mezzanine, though there aren’t many truly bad seats in the theater. The sound quality is fine.
Snacks and drinks are available for purchase in the lobby. Speaking of the lobby my one complaint about the theater is that the lobby is always cold. I don’t know if they just don’t try to heat it or it’s the way the wind blows in through the doors but I feel like I am always running in and hoping for some relief from the cold and there isn’t any to be found.