We came for the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in May 2015. I'd wanted tp see it for years,…read moresince it was playing in New York (in the plaza across from Wicked). So I can't compare the Oak Park production to any other, but it was, uncompared very good. There were certainly some notable differences -- for instance, they asked for 4 volunteers from the audience to join the cast to fill up some seats. They picked really well, and the volunteers when I saw it hammed it up, and stuck around for a few rounds of the Bee. As for the paid performers, the singing and acting was good, the set was minimalistic, but didn't feel like it needed anything more, and the lighting and sound were overall good. There was one microphone issue. The lights also seemed like they were a little bit low, and didn't quite hit the actors' faces, although maybe that was deliberate so they could see. It was fun that the theater was so small, every seat was a good one, and we could actually see everything, down to the facial expressions. The cast had a sense of humor when things came up (like the microphone issue, or the audience volunteers indicating a willingness to jump in for a number). Overall it was a very well put together production. The show was a fun one, although it got wayyyy darker than I expected. The ending was cheesy, but hey, it's a musical. I had no idea Oak Park had such a theater scene! There was plenty of street parking. There's a small concession area with basic offerings. The bathroom is small, only a couple per sex, but the intermission was long enough for everyone who needed the break. I think there were at least 2 venues in the playhouse because there seemed to be another show going at the same time as ours.

Came to see los monologos de la vagina" I Like it great…read moreshow Nice theatre ,great place

Nice medium sized theater located in Oak Park. I was really close to giving them five stars, it's…read moreclean, the staff is polite, the actors are great, and the seats are comfy. The only problems are that the seats aren't pitched enough and that something is off with their audio. I couldn't hear most of the performance. Lucky enough the actors were good enough for me to follow the story. Also I had the change seats a few times before and during the performance. Get one tall person in front of you and you can't see anything, hence the seating needing to be pitched more or maybe make the stage higher. Even with these major issues I still really enjoyed the show and the theater. I know this sounds sick and or weird but the play was called "Urinetown" -it's a musical about pee only it's so much more then that. About the right to pee. It's a hilarious tale of greed, corruption, love, and revolution in a time when water is worth its weight in gold. Still strange I know, but it's something for you to see for yourself. Enjoy! P.S. The actors are excellent, dancing, singing, and my favorite... they still perform even when they aren't the center of attention. I love that! P.S.S. This is my 50th theater review!! Holy crap there are a lot of play house in Illinois!

Circle Theatre does not equal Broadway. In fact, I get the distinct impression that they are not…read moreTRYING to compete with the Les Miserables and Wicked blockbusters. With that in the forefront of your mind, imagine a local (non-touring) group of professionals who act in these plays because they love it. This is their passion and it shows. Consider Circle Theatre the Hilary Swank of the acting world. They are talented, uber smart, and they choose productions that are somehow meaningful to them (not necessarily with the intention of making money). Are they capable of producing popular, money making productions that would make Andrew Lloyd Webber proud? Absolutely! True to the pervasive value of the Village of Oak Park, Circle Theatre strives for independent excellence. Circle Theatre itself is pretty small. There is an atrium with a ticket counter and a small concession area. The concession area has a few things including wine and beer. There are two theaters so that two shows can occur simultaneously. The theaters are divided into three sections of tiered seats, have open seating, and have great views from everywhere. The seats themselves are padded and have armrests. The floors are clean (not sticky like some movie theaters). Lastly, the employees (actors and staff) are all kind and friendly. They've been nice when it comes to finding tickets for me and have worked quickly at the concession stand when I want to get to a seat before the show begins. The actors have come out after the show and have made pleasant conversation with their fans. In conclusion, Circle Theatre is perfect at what it is. Some of the plays are funny and some are thought-provoking. They have impressive costumes and sets, but without the fireworks of something you would see in Chicago's Theatre District. The actors have theater degrees and lots of experience. You can expect to see an offbeat play performed and produced by professionals who care.

This is the kind of theatre we need feeding the outskirts of America's major, metropolitan cities…read more While Chicagoans don't often refer to Berwyn as "The Outskirts," I simply point to it's more sedate, suburban surroundings, as opposed to some of the more cosmopolitan stuff you'd experience downtown. This past Saturday, I caught the second to last performance of OUR DAD IS IN ATLANTIS. The production, directed by Artistic Director Ann Filmer, was a tight, ethereal afternoon of theatre. She drew from the actors an emotional honesty and intensity that I haven't seen in a long time. And I see a ton of plays. Ms. Filmer has done an amazing job crafting out a space for unique, daring, dialogue-inducing theatre. She should be very proud of her accomplishments here. I can only hope and pray that this place stays alive for a very long time. BOTTOM LINE: Do yourself a favor, folks, and check it out. A new Rebecca Gilman play is going up this Summer.

Went to see Living Large in a Mini Kind of Way The acting…read moreperformances by the ensemble was fine. Particularly funny was actress Miranda Gonzalez (Big Maria) Rose Guccione is truly talented in both languanges and has excellent timing of dialogue use. The theatre is also impressive for it's location. Confortable and clean. We will surely return and recommend. Well done director Anne Filmer.

We saw Twelfth Night (July-Aug 2025) last night. I have been attending OPFT since we moved here…read more15+ years ago and this was one of the best Shakespeare productions they've had. I saw that the Tribune criticized OPFT's take for being too heavy on the comedy and light on the romance. I disagree; I thought that the emphasis on the comedy was a huge plus. Malvolio stole the show with Toby and Sir Andrew as great comedic support. Olivia's flip-flopping was also well executed for some good fun. The Fool had to compete hard for laughs.... I was delighted to find that this production had even our kids (11-13) laughing like crazy. This is excellent accessible Shakespeare in the park that is great for the whole family. Tickets for kids under 12 are just $5.

Why isn't there more outdoor theatre in the Chicago area? I mean, to some extent I get it (here in…read more2022, my car was dappled in slush and snow on April 8), but really this should be a bigger thing. As I think of it the only real options for this are Theatre on the Lake, occasionally when there's a Shakes in the park sort of thing happening, and Oak Park Festival Theatre in Oak Park. The work done by this company is really high quality, so you'll definitely get your money's worth and enjoy the performance if you enjoy the play. I came here in 2016 to see Pygmalion after a few years of saying I should go and then not doing so. OPFT has an illustrious history: The theatre was established in 1975 and has included such notable thespians (of course unknown at the time) as David Mamet as William H. Macy. Unfortunately, in November 2021 there was a fire that destroyed much of their equipment, historical documents, and I'm hopeful their fundraising efforts will prepare them to mount a new season this or next summer! Austin Gardens is in downtown Oak Park Parking is found on surrounding streets, or in the village parking lot (free after 6 pm). Accessibility is a bit harder to measure. It's a park, so it is as accessible as any park, but depending upon the type of accommodation you need, your mobility, etc. it may vary how accessible it is for an individual. They don't have wheelchairs or anything for patron use as far as I know, and as a park it may be difficult to hear at times. Alternatively, both the Green Line and the UP-W Metra line are within 3-5 blocks of the park, so that's a great choice for transportation, too. There are restaurants nearby, or for an even more fun option, bring your dinner to picnic before and during the play. Just don't disrupt your fellow patrons (so that means if you have things in wrapping and what not, maybe wrap in cloth or something that's not going to make a bunch of noise as you open it!).

SIMPLY AMAZING! Improv Unlimited exceeded our expectations by 10 fold! Not only are they VERY…read morefunny, but their "Corporate Imposter" and "Team Building" workshops were the highlight of our convention! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! M Cardin AT&T

From the owner: Improv Unlimited® has shows for any corporate party, occasion or event. Our roster of shows and…read moreperformers is a who's who of the Chicago comedy scene. We will listen to you, then work with you to create a performance that is uniquely funny to you! Mediatainment is Improv Unlimited's Media Division. Mediatainment is the art of combining comedy and entertainment with all types of media. (TV, Print, Web, Tradeshows, Corporate Presentations, Radio, Viral, Social Media etc.) From start to finish, Improv Unlimited® can help you write, produce, cast and direct a customized project that will put your products and services center stage for the world to see and buy. Our theater is located inside The Sushi House Restaurant in the Dragon Theater. The theater seats 80 people comfortably, features a full bar and dinner menu. Free street level parking after 6PM and Valet Parking across the street is available. 1107 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL

My kids have attended a theater summer camp for five years through Actor's Garden, held at…read moreDominican University in the building with the two theaters. Each year they get to perform a play in the smaller of the two theaters, the 200-seat Martin auditorium. The larger theater is the Lund, also very nice. Acoustics, lights, ticket price, seat & air comfort-all great. There is an accessible bathroom on the main floor, all other bathrooms are downstairs. Accessible ramp to enter, come in through the east entrance, not the main entrance. Very clean, very warm & welcoming vibe. We've also seen a few larger performances in the Lund, like Billy Bragg a few years ago, and had a great time. Free parking, too.

Went here to see a play 9 to 5. A nephew was the musical director and it a very entertaining show…read more Good acoustics,too. I just discovered that Allison Janney on "MOM" tv show has done this play on Broadway. And honestly , she cant sing. But all the singers were good for this show, and could act. Regarding the venue, Im told they have 2 buildings here and one has concessions too. This center didnt appear to have that, so that was a disappointment. Washrooms were small but clean. Parking is a little tight too. Still, the show was a success even if the venue was ordinary.

We attended Trickery on Saturday 04/18/26. Aaron was adept at working with a diverse audience to…read moreinclude them and maintain control of his performance in a very intimate setting. Because it's BYOB you'll get the 20-somethings that feel they have to get loaded beforehand and then act the fool while attending (do you hear that "Neil"? No one wants the focus on you acting like it was your first experience with alcohol) but Aaron was skilled at bypassing them without causing tension or escalating bad behavior. Aaron's attitude is one of someone who has worked hard to make this little venture work, and he deserves respect and recognition for his obvious commitment and work ethic. His act included variations of tricks performed by other magicians, with his own twists. He is an expert at sleight of hand and distraction, which is considerably more difficult in a room about the size of an average residential living-room. He had an appropriate sense of humor aligned with an audience coming to Boystown, an overtly gay neighborhood in Chicago (if you're not familiar). However he wasn't garish, flaming, flamboyant, or offensive; he managed a perfect balance of innuendo humor and audience engagement without being cheap or ingenuine. The snarky one-liners will likely go over your young kids' heads (although bring them to an early show, your 9 year old doesn't belong in Boystown at 10 pm on a weekend), and he carries himself with class avoiding the use of profanity or graphic terms. Again, I can't overstate that his tricks were amazing, impressive, and captivating - as magic should be. You leave the show shaking your head and wondering how it's done - which truly makes it "magic". You would be hard-pressed to spend $36.36/person for an hour of live entertainment that can match Aaron's performance. Pro-tip: If you're driving there you will need to use an app to reserve parking, as there aren't garages like downtown Chicago and every street is filled with so many signs there's no way you will return and find your car not-towed or not-ticketed. Chicago does this on purpose to generate revenue; you'll see "street cleaning" on Tuesday from xx hour to xx hour, no parking when snow is over 2 inches OR any time from Dec 1 through April 1, loading zone, 15 minute stopping/standing with flashers, no parking, residential permit zone only, bike lanes, bus stop restrictions, etc. If you find street parking and think you've beaten the system, think again. Nobel Prize Laureates, Rhodes Scholars, Ivy League PhDs, Mensa members - you can meet them all at Chicago Central Auto Pound retrieving their vehicles. Stephen Hawking couldn't drive, but if he could and he parked in that neighborhood all the quantum mechanics in the world wouldn't make his towed car reappear from the Chicago Parking space-time continuum. The nice thing is if you do reserve parking and give yourself enough time you can walk to many, many restaurants and bars in the area that are open even after the 10 pm show ends. Thank you Aaron for a wonderful experience, you made my wife's birthday memorable for both of us.

I've attended this show twice now and really enjoyed it both times. It's always a great experience…read more He takes time to thank everyone for coming and even asks how you heard about the show, which makes it feel very personal and welcoming. He's genuinely nice and engaging. I plan to come at least once a year. I also love having a local, neighborhood option instead of having to go downtown to see similar acts.

Love this place. Kathy and Joe are excellent instructors and fun to be with. We began taking…read morelessons when my husband gave me a gift certificate about 5 years ago and continue to take lessons because it has been such a great time. It is nice to have a night out with dance and dinner. I highly recommend DeMaira Dance.

My daughter started dance class and after about a month, 3 out of 5 children quit…read more The studio is pretty small, they only have two dance rooms and there is a waiting area in the front by the desk. I would say that this place is kind of dirty and needs a good vacuuming and dusting. There is also a room in the back with a rod to hang jackets and some cubby holes and some chairs. There is a paid parking lot a few stores down. I don't know what's going on that all of your students quit and you're left with one student, but now my daughter doesn't want to go anymore with only one other child in the class. I would also say that the music is not age appropriate , maybe you should stick to music with no lyrics? Teacher played songs with lyrics about sex and mental illnesses: Sweet But A Psycho, Despacito and Call Me Senorita: All about sex, whether or not it's in English or Spanish. Mr. and Mrs. Demaira are certainly nice enough people but you guys need to watch your teachers better. But it does make me wonder why everyone is quitting your class all of a sudden.

WOW! I'M speechless. My daughter signed up for Matilda this Spring 2023. She was so impressed at…read morethe dancing and singing instruction that she recieved. The teachers are amazing, patient and fun! Now my daughter has signed up for James and the Giant Peach. She is thrilled to be able to work with Ovation. The practices are convenient and it's not too far for us. I'm glad we found Ovation. It's a great oulet for my daughter's creative love of theater, singing and dancing.

It's a real shame that the favoritism is so rampant in a children's theater camp/program like this…read more Theater is supposed to be for everyone and in the 3 years we've attended, the woman running this has chosen her favorites while being so rude to so many parents and kids here who were not. I kept thinking it was a fluke or a bad day, but it's not, it's constant. It's not cheap, the productions and decent, but again, inclusion isn't what it should be. Forget it if your kid isn't a particularly strong reader. I won't be paying $$ for that woman's ego again. Hilarious that it's located in Oak Park, home of the "hate has no home here" signs

School of Rock in Oak Park is really a wonderful business. I have an 8 year old drummer who…read moreabsolutely can't wait to get there on a weekly basis for his lesson, and jam session. He's learning quickly and has been given a very solid understanding of his instrument. In the jam sessions he is exposed to other instruments which is important for many reasons. The environment is safe, comfortable, and inclusive of all people. My son really feels part of something big...and he is. This place is really wonderful.

Went to support a friend of a friend....its like a performance In someones garage. People can try…read moreout their amateur music skills with an enthralled group of supporters.