Filament Theatre

Understand I do not pretend to be unbiased… the Filament is awesome!

My family and I went to see Sherlock Holmes and The Mystery of Portage Park last weekend on 5÷21÷2016. We got discounted tickets and thought it sounded interesting, and boy were we right!
I wasn’t sure what to expect, but we all had a blast! The characters were SO AMAZING at playing their parts, and you truly forgot that you were working with actors and became completely immersed in the interactive atmosphere. I may be a little biased, but I feel that our 2 guides (Sherlock and Watson) were the best! They were animated, playful, energetic, HILARIOUS, and always kept an eye on the safety of the group.
We had everyone from ages 8−50+ in our group, and there was fun had by all. The walking wasn’t strenuous either. I’m pregnant and had zero issues keeping pace, and my mom, who has back problems was completely fine as well.
There were 4 people in my group, and as soon as we left, we were planning on when we would come back and do it again. This is a great event for kids as well as adults.
100% unique in every way with five star performances by all! Bravo Filament Theatre, you’ve just won yourself a big time fan! We can’t wait to come back and see the show again!

Wonderful addition to Six Corners. We saw Pinocchio. It was a really nice theater for families. They have games and a popcorn machine in the lobby. The theater usually has rugs and pillows for the wee ones during the show. Audio is clear. The acting is great.
They expect a lot from their actors and it shows. Very nice theater!

Attended a production of Pinocchio with a toddler, preschooler and a lap infant. The whole experience was a delight! Seating is general admission but it’s a small theater so there are no bad seats, and there are floor quilts and pillows for kids. The actors were very talented with an impressive array of instruments. The costumes and masks (done by the art studio upstairs) were great and the use of simple props to create dramatic effects was charming. All the children in the audience sat riveted through the entire performance, and there are brief moments of low-​key audience participation. It was not too scary for the kids, even the little ones. I called ahead about bringing an infant — the lobby is only separated from the stage by a curtain so if you’re bringing an infant, arrive early so staff can show you an appropriate place to escape in case baby cries. Overall a great theater and we will be back!

Took a 5 year-​old to see the musical production of Pinocchio at Filament. She had never been to a play and this small, informal setting turned out to be the perfect introduction to live theater. Kids can sit on quilts and pillows on the floor and eat popcorn during the play while adults are comfortably seated in chairs. Not once during the 65 minute production did her attention wander from the actors. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience — the musical numbers are amazing — and would recommend it for children 4 and up.

Fantastic theater for the whole family! We have been to three of Filament’s productions and have absolutely loved every one! The physical space is small, so every seat is good. The imagination and craftsmanship used in their props and costumes adds greatly to the experience and inspires my kids to do their own creating afterwards. There is a touch of magic in a Filament production — I tell all my friends they ought to try them out.

The Filament Theatre is just starting its 3^rd year in the Portage Park area (Six Corners). Their current production is «James and the Giant Peach» which features singing, dancing, actors on stilts, juggling and much, much more. This family friendly production is a must see for all who are young at heart. Christian Libonati as James is animated, believable, and just fun to watch because of all of his enthusiasm. The Grass Hopper (Ryan Westwood) is so talented it’s hard to describe all he does (he straps on a ukulele to his guitar, has a mouth organ around his neck and a tambourine strapped to his leg!). Lindsay Dorcus (The Worm) often steals the show with her deadpan delivery of lines… and eventual warmth of character. Nathan Drackett walks on stilts and sprouts many legs as The Centipede. (Nathan and Christian do a bit of juggling as well). Rasika Ranganathan plays an incredible Ms. Spider and Sarah Hecht is quite believable as an evil aunt. The director, Kathryn Walsh, did an awesome job!
I took my 3 y/​o and 9 y/​o grand children to this play and both were transfixed for more than an hour. They didn’t move. They didn’t talk. They were mesmerized.
At the conclusion of the play, the audience is asked to come down to meet the actors, do a bit of juggling and shadow puppetry and more. Your children (and you) will love it!
Tickets are as low as $ 12 or less. Adults $ 20. Go to this show. It only runs until mid-​March.
Mar 7 @ 7:30 — PAY WHAT YOU CAN!*
*Limited number of qualifying tickets. Please reserve in advance!
See the show for $ 12 on any night by purchasing a Filament TenPass! The TenPass is great for groups!

I have been for 2 shows and both were fantastic. What a fun place. Dinner at the portage and then a show here or at the Gift is so easy and nice.