Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Chicago, United States

4.5

Open now

20 reviews

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Telephone:
+1 312-595-5600
Website:
www.chicagoshakes.com
Address:
800 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL, 60611
at Streeter Dr
Near North Side
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.2 mi29
0.2 miNavy Pier
0.2 mi2 & 124
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Bussiness info

Good for Kids
Yes

Today

Today 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Open now
Local time (Chicago) 4:40 PM Friday, November 29, 2024

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Thursday 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Friday 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Saturday 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Sunday 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Visit www​.chicagoshakes​.com to explore ideas and stories behind the art on CST’s stages.

History

Established in 1986.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater, one of the world’s most celebrated homes for the masterworks of Shakespeare, is a showcase in the center of America for the country’s best classical actors,. Recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award, CST’s work has been recognized internationally with three of London’s prestigious Laurence Olivier Awards, and locally with 54 Joseph Jefferson Awards for Artistic Excellence.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Executive Director Criss Henderson, CST promotes a broad, inclusive annual program, spanning Shakespeare and other classical works of drama, international presentations and family fare. The Theater’s contributions to public learning range broadly from extensive work with Shakespeare in the schools to scholarly collaborations with Chicago’s great universities.

Visit www​.chicagoshakes​.com to explore more ideas and stories behind the art on CST’s stages.

Meet the Manager

Barbara G.

Manager

Barbara Gaines is Founder & Artistic Director of Chicago Shakespeare Theater, where she has directed more than 30 of Shakespeare’s plays. Honors include: the 2008 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre; Joseph Jefferson Awards for Best Production (Hamlet, Cymbeline, King Lear and The Comedy of Errors), & for Best Director (Cymbeline, King Lear and The Comedy of Errors). In 2005, Ms. Gaines was awarded the prestigious Honorary OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in recognition of her contributions strengthening British-​American cultural relations. She received the Public Humanities Award from the Illinois Humanities Council, and is the recipient of the Spirit of Loyola Award. Ms. Gaines serves on the Shakespearean Council of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London and is a Life Trustee of Northwestern University. She is a member of the Cultural Affairs Advisory Board for the City of Chicago and has served on panels for the National Endowment for the Arts.

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20 reviews of Chicago Shakespeare Theater

No registration required
Place rating: 4
Deerfield, IL
We have never been disappointed here. When we go for a afternoon showing, we valet the car at Riva and have a bite to eat. The seating is great and the sets are amazing. We thoroughly enjoy going to Stratford, but it is nice to have Shakespeare in Chicago.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Saw Othello the Remix last night. Outstanding! Small, intimate theater with a high energy cast. Absolutely loved it!
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
I have been attending Chicago Shakespeare since they performed at the Red Lion on Lincoln, then Ruth Page, and now at Navy Pier. What Barbara Gaines and her Executive Director Criss Henderson have done with this company make them each Chicago crown jewels of our cultural life. What they have accomplished with this company is nothing short of impossible, and I am so glad I have been along for the ride all these years. And Shakespeare 400 Chicago looks like it is going to be simply amazing.
Never been? You must see a Shakespeare play on the the Navy Pier thrust stage. Not a bad seat in the house. No joke. I prefer to sit in the 5th or 6th row of the main floor right in front of the stage, or in the first balcony just stage left or just stage right. The amenities here at Navy Pier are amazing, and the place has held up simply brilliantly since they opened there in 1999 with Anthony and Cleopatra.
With this year being the 400th year since The Bard left this world, Chicago Shakespeare is pulling out all the stops with its Shakespeare 400 Chicago, featuring Shakespeare themed events around Chicago. The highlights of the year will be the 4 international performances, Measure for Measure, King Lear (it was brilliant), Sancho and Twelfth Night; The Complete Deaths in December, and the MUCH ANTICIPATED Tug of War plays, Part 1 Foreign Fire May to June, 2016, followed by Part 2 Civil Strife September and October, 2016. And these are just the highlights. I, Malvolio, The Winter’s Tale and Free Shakespeare Twelfth Night in Chicago parks this summer will no doubt all be brilliant.
So what are you waiting for? And if you are under 35, you can get tickets cheap. If you are over 35, pony up for a fine night of theater and come see what the excellence is all about. This place isn’t considered America’s finest Shakespeare house for no reason. Brilliance happens on this stage. Be part of it.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Just saw the «The Heir Apparent» and «Q Brothers Christmas Carol,» and they both confirm that Chicago Shakespeare Theater continues to be one of the most impressive performance venues in the country.
I’ve seen Shakespeare at Stratford on Avon and Stratford, Ontario, and the productions here are every bit as polished and entertaining. It’s worth a trip to Chicago just to see a show here.
Place rating: 2
Chicago, IL
The theater is nice and the show we saw («The Tempest») was excellent. However, I was unimpressed by much of the staff.
When we entered the theater, we were told to go into the center doors to be seated. We did so, only to be told that they weren’t open yet and that we had to leave. That’s no big deal: Probably a miscommunication.
However, when it was actually time to take our seats, we went up to the entrance and showed the greeter our tickets. She took one look at our tickets, winced and said very loudly: «Oh, STOOLS!» She gave the other greeter a look and once again announced, even more derisively «You are in STOOLS!»
I think she repeated this one more time when she pointed to two ushers and said «Well, THEY can help you,» and turned away.
Yes, we did have tickets for the (very comfortable) stools at the back. Those tickets also cost $ 60 each. They were not cheap. But even if they were, there was no reason to treat us like that.
Once we got into the theaters we showed our unfortunate tickets to the ushers who initially directed us to the wrong seats. We got that sorted.
We had been looking forward to this show for a long time. I had just completed a big move after a very difficult 2015 and was really excited about enjoying an evening of R & R with a friend at a good play. Instead, we got treated badly by a door greeter, which didn’t ruin my evening, but certainly marred it. There is no place for this sort of behavior in any institution or business.
Place rating: 4
San Francisco, CA
A beautiful and intimate theater to be in! Saw the Tempest while I was in town. They have orchestra tickets for $ 20 if you’re under 35 years old — How I wish we had this in San Francisco. It’s right by Navy Pier and it would’ve been nice to see the surrounding during the day.
Place rating: 5
Wake Forest, NC
Great theater, small enough to make all seats amazing. Saw «Ride the Cyclone» and thought it was amazing. Great story line that was just quirky enough to keep me laughing.
Place rating: 5
Glenview, IL
Best TEMPEST EVER!!! Take your teens, grab a ticket before this 5 star play sells out… and if you are out of town act fast, and make the trip. Tempest is far from my favorite play, but this production is so outstanding that it elevates the play itself. This is the reason that Chicago is a mecca for actors and patrons. We are so lucky… if you love theater, you have to watch this troupe.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
If you’re under 35, you have no excuse for not checking out CST at least once. $ 20. That’s all you need for a great seat in this beautiful theater.
I think it’s easy to write off Shakespeare because it’s often associated with high school English (cliffsnotes and bad in-​class acting, amirite?). Needless to say, these productions are nothing like that. I recently watched the Tempest and had front row seats. It was literally like I was part of the show and I am struggling to think of anything I can complain about. Maybe the long walk down Navy Pier to get to the theater? #lazy
Place rating: 5
Lancaster, PA
My friend and I went and saw the Tempest. It felt very much like going back in time. The stage jetted out into the audience and the performers interacted with the audience much. Even though it is very old English, it was very interesting and even entertaining. I would definitely advise looking over the story before going as it helps you to follow along.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
A theater right on Navy Pier is nice! Don’t you think so?
As I said, the Shakespeare Theater is on Navy Pier. It’s a great location for plays! I went to the Little Mermaid play. It was a cute play that was done very well.
The actors did a great job in the play. The speaking and singing was really good. The speaking was clear, and the vocals were on point.
There are a lot of other plays at this theater including some from Shakespeare himself. They are amazing plays that you shouldn’t miss out on!
The service was great! The staff are nice and friendly to me. Along with great plays there is great service!
All in all, great theater with great plays! I will come again.
Place rating: 1
Chicago, IL
I am so mixed about writing this review. I LOVE this theater and it is one of the classiest places not just in Chicago but I think in the US that produces awesome quality theater. However, their sales department is an absolute telemarketing operation and is an absolute pain. They keep calling during me during work hours as if I have a great deal of time to sit and ponder how I’d like to spend my summer and how to plan enjoying the shows. During my first call I politely asked whether I could look at the website (which I do when they call me cause it’s always a good reminder for the great shows they have), but the person insisted on talking and calling me back. Then they called me again in the middle of the work day and said they had an appointment with me when they clearly didn’t. I hope that the theater isn’t using a telemarketing company to do their sales, that would be adding such horrible taste to something that is so good. I am forced to give a 1 star for the overall experience outside of the fantastic theater and artwork they produce.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Attending the performance of Sense and Sensibility here was a delight. I love attending the smaller theaters like this because there are no bad seats in the house. We sat on the floor level and it made me feel like I was apart of the show. Sense and Sensibility was a wonderfully produced and acted program. Granted, it’s at Navy Pier so parking is alittle tricky but I won’t hold that against the theater.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
One of the best theaters in Chicago. If you’re going to Navy Pier or going to see a play, got to CST. It has such a beautiful space and some of the best shows in Chicago. They’ve been working to have plays and companies from other countries come in to show what they have to offer. Really provides some shows you wouldn’t see anywhere in the US.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Just saw a Mid Summer Night’s Dream, it was Awesome! I finally understood it, it is amazing how skilled actors can make a show come alive. i had seen versions of it previously, (not here) and never understood it. It was so funny — wonderful!
Also, the Theatre was amazing — I don’t believe there is a bad seat. The costumes were wonderful. Would highly recommend!
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Two pieces of advice:
1) If you ever want to see a play here, make it happen. It’s a great space with awesome performances.
2) If the Q Brothers are doing anything you HAVE to see whatever it is they are doing as everything they do is amazing.
316⁄365
Place rating: 5
Frankfort, IL
This is hands down my favorite places to see a play now! I am lucky to have wonderful friends that always invite me to tag along to things. I have been taken to 2 shows here over the last 3 months.
I was very nervous the first evening when my friend told our Taxi driver to drop us off at Navy Pier. I wondered what she was thinking dragging us there. I couldn’t have been more wrong. You do have to deal with a small section of Navy Pier (and the annoying people there) but once you are inside the theater you will forget you are there.
There isn’t a bad seat in the house. This goes for both the main stage and the upstairs theater. There is also a cute bar right inside. They will give you lids for your drink so you can bring it in the show as well. The lines don’t seem unbearable for the bathroom at intermission like other venues.
I’m going to keep an eye on the schedule here. I heard that they are planning on having more musicals here in the future. I hope that’s true!
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Before 2013: Attendance to CST = 0
During 2013: Attendance to CST = 4
Why did I wait so long to come here? Oh yes, its located in Navy Pier. A bit hard to get to for me but then I found that if you see a performance at CST, parking there is like 40% off, which makes it worth it.
The performance is top notch and set designs are interesting. When I saw Julius Caesar, the set was modern, think Baz’s Romeo+Juliet. There is also a smaller theater upstairs, where they do interesting performances. Recently I saw Othello remix, which was incredibly funny and awesome. It was so good that I dragged more friends to it the second time, AND I thought it was even better than the Opera at Lyric.
Place rating: 5
Park Ridge, IL
It has obviously been a few years since my last update. During that span, back in May of 2011, I chose CST as the venue to propose to my wife. Afterwards, as luck would have it, we enjoyed one of the best productions in recent memory, The Madness of George III. Fast-​forward to October 2013: the new «best production in recent memory» is now Cyrano de Bergerac. Not coincidentally, both plays combine the talents of lead actor Harry Groener and director Penny Metropulos. If you can, please go see Cyrano while it is still playing. It is eloquent, passionate, beautiful, and heartbreaking. Also, the elaborate set is one of the best at CST since Love’s Labor’s Lost.
Other memorable highlights from the last several seasons include The School For Lies, Elizabeth Rex, and The Feast: An Intimate Tempest.
One further note: I have come to find the draft beers in the pub more than adequate. I typically enjoy a Guinness before the show or at intermission, but they also offer more interesting selections which vary seasonally. And now they allow you to bring any libation into the theater as long as the cup has a lid. Thus, my wife and I can scratch our respective tea and beer itches at intermission without frantically chugging our drinks.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater – still one of my very favorite spots in the city for culture, but now also my favorite place to get engaged.
Place rating: 4
Chicago, IL
Shakespeare in Love.
This theater is pretay, pretay, pretay good. Located in the iconic Navy Pier in Chicago is this classy, yet contemporary theater where one can see not only Shakespeare’s works but mash up modern spins of the guy’s greatest hits, Noël Coward pieces, Shrek: The Musical. They actually draw some fine talent for their various casts; I’ve been consistently impressed. One thing I love is the setup of the theater, inspired by The Globe theater the namesake worked at when he was alive creates a lot of intimacy. There truly isn’t a bad seat in the house.
They have a bar which also has snacks for people to munch before they get their culture on. It’s a great spot for a family or date night with whoever you love.