This theatre is a welcome alternative to its larger-scale counterparts in the Loop. It is smaller and newer, so it has modern amenities, for whatever it lacks in old-school grandeur. Location is excellent, right next to/under Water Tower Place. Please be aware that parking underneath this building is feasible, but only a few doors are open at Water Tower Place after hours, and there are no signs or pieces of helpful info to alert you to this. It gets a bit crowded, nothing serious, but I think I went to a show on a night when few people had any spatial awareness...you say "excuse me" and nobody sees fit to move...weird! The bar lines seemed pretty long, but the bathroom lines were quick. There are multiple entrances to the women's bathroom, so it was a bit of an awkward "zipper merge" that we all laughed about, but this could've been planned better. None of that is enough to take stars away, because the overall experience is amazing. While watching Titanique (a hilarious, unhinged, brilliant parody-style musical), my friend and I found our seats comfortable and with easy sight lines. We are both very short, but our view was not blocked one bit! The stadium seating here is very intentionally done, so it's hard have a bad view. When you're short, it is rare to have this, so I really appreciated it. Also, the theatre is small enough, so even from "far away," you still feel close to the action! read more

Intimate and well layed out theatre my first time here aaay from the theatre district . Kelly and Hyde was very well performed , excellent actors with beautiful performances na voices . I highly recommend watching this musical !! read more

Broadway Playhouse - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Fabulous theatre we discovered quite by accident. We had a few hours to spare and discovered this theatre had a few seats for its showing of Titanique. This is not a huge theatre, but we found it the perfect size with all seats accessible and modern. The full bar up front and the welcoming staff here were also much appreciated. Highly recommend this theater for all. read more

Broadway Playhouse - Stage - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Nice and modern theater! This is my favorite of all broadway theaters. Seats are comfortable even if they are not any bigger than the older theaters in Chicago. But this place doesn't have that old carpet smell and the facilities like bathroom are newer. The lighting is modern also. Parking in the same building apparently so if you have tickets to a show here you pay $17 vs $45. Little street nearby so you have to garage it or use SpotHero. I loved the stage bc the orchestra is on the stage in the back on left and right. We saw Titanique. Funny and great singers! read more

See all

Love this place! Capacity of just above 500. All seats from bottom to top have great views of the stage. No obstructions. Great sound system. Easy in and out of seats and bathrooms are also easier to move along. Naturally there will be lines for the bathrooms and bars during intermission but it moves quite quickly due to the small capacity of this theater. This is located at the Water Tower Place so shopping, eating, and fun things to do literally surrounds you. Pro tip: get your parking ticket validated. Without it, parking is $40! With it, it's $14! Woot!!! Enjoy the show! read more

Broadway Playhouse - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Upon entering this compact lobby, my ticket scanned then I had walked passed the two concessions stands before entering the theater. BTW, this theater is located in the same complex at the Ritz Carlton and Water Tower. Plenty of parking, public transportation and dining options. As I had entered the theater, I was handed the program for The Golden Girls, then how to locate my seat. My seat was G8 which was okay. It was great be sitting behind one of railing, however, I was not able to see the entire stage. I can't blame anyone. I just know for the next time. I thought the visual and sound system were spot on. The seat, itself, was comfortable. Overall, a great experience and I would return to see another show. read more

Broadway Playhouse - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Beautiful playhouse. Centrally located DT near the Water Tower. I was able to do some shopping before the play. On to the playhouse itself. Very intimate and clean. The security and theater workers were very friendly. Prices for refreshments were reasonable and lower than other theaters. Overall not a bad seat in the house. I would come back to this playhouse. read more

Broadway Playhouse - Lehman Trilogy through Broadway in Chicago - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We attended a great performance and left feeling uplifted and happy. The music and dancing were exquisite. We were mesmerized the entire evening. Add in a little humor and our night was complete. The theater is clean and comfortable. The views look great from any seat. The staff were so friendly and helpful. I want to make a point to attend this theater more often. Parking is easy and there are several restaurants to round out a nice evening. read more

See all

This is a really great, intimate venue. The staff was very friendly. The drinks at the bar were reasonably priced. A great place to check a show! read more

Broadway Playhouse is on the smaller side of theatres for Chicago but I love the intimacy of this theatre. There are plenty of parking garages around the area in walking distance. You can do valet and I think certain shows they validate parking. When you enter you enter into the main lobby and on one side is the bar and the other merchandise. Bathrooms are clean and the line moves quick. Inside the theatre it's easy to find your seat and there is not a bad seat in the house. I've sat in the way back and this time around I was in the 3rd row. The seats are comfy for theater seats and the elevation of the rows helps so you aren't blocked by those in front of you. read more

See all

Came here to watch "20-sided tavern" (which was AMAZING). The venue itself is really good. There isn't really a bad seat. All good views. Staff was very friendly and helpful. My only critique was the bar setup. The lines were soooo long and the service so slow that there was basically no chance to get a drink at intermission if you also went to the restroom. So, plan ahead and order several drinks if you want some for later. Other than that, I loved it! read more

Broadway Playhouse - 20-Sided Tavern at the Broadway Theater. - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

I had never been to this Playhouse before. I cannot say enough about it! The parking is easy and convenient and not outrageously priced, especially once it's validated! You literally walk from the parking garage across the street and into the playhouse! The lobby is spacious and set up perfectly! The bathrooms are large and clean, well the women's bathroom anyway, I cannot speak about the men's as I obviously wasn't in there. The staff is extremely friendly and very helpful. The seats are pretty comfortable and not to sound like Goldilocks but the theater is just the right size! We were in row N and could still see and hear perfectly. We went for The Golden Girls tour and I am still blown away! The show itself was absolutely incredible! 12 out of 10 I would go back tomorrow if I had tickets! Do not miss this if you get the chance to see it anywhere in your area whether it be Chicago or anywhere across the country! I will give the disclaimer that is a very adult show. But it is so much fun and absolutely hilarious! Don't miss out on this one! read more

See all

Came to a Broadway show here with my grandmother and cousins. While we enjoyed the show and how intimate the theater was the staff was BEYOND rude at the end of the show they made us go outside and wait in the rain while we waited for our Uber. I've never been put out a theater before. The theater wasn't even closed because they were doing a meet and greet in the theater still. We bought drinks and merch and spent good money on 4 tickets SHAME ON YOU for rushing my elderly grandmother out into the damn rain! read more

Nice playhouse, with comfortable seats and easy to get to. There are several garages close by if driving. There are ADA seats available on the entry level and a sort of hand rail on one side of the each side of stairs. The only negative is they serve a lot of large ice in the drinks and could be better with less ice or ice chips. During a one person play, it was hard to hear when people decided to rattle their ice and the munch it like horses gnashing gravel. read more

I came here to see stomp! The venue itself is cozy, pretty simple, and all great seats with a good view. The seats are comfortable but definitely note if you have broad shoulders or a bit larger you may be closer to your neighbor than you prefer as they are close bucket seats that share an armrest! It's right next to the Ritz Carlton for reference, I got a little lost on the way over! The staff was very helpful and kind! My only suggestion is to not let people in super late as it is distracting and a bit disrespectful to performers in my opinion. Stomp: Oh my god the most talented human beings!! Seriously I want to see it again and again. It felt like so short and I wished it never ended. So interactive and I couldn't stop laughing. I thought it was a serious performance but it was hilarious and eye opening; my favorite performance of all time! It was great for all ages, I attended with my boyfriend and we're both 25, surrounded by a range of people. The cast was extremely talented, diverse and so complimentary. I will definitely be bringing friends and family back to see this performance! read more

Broadway Playhouse - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I think this is a great theater without a bad seat in the house. TWENTY SIDED TAVERN was a hilarious, engaging, and sweet show.

I saw The Golden Girls in drag here, and it was marvelous. The ladies really put on a great show. My favorite character is hard to pick, but I'm going to have to go with Dorothy. She puts on a surprise performance in the middle of the show that will warm your heart. read more

A nice midsized theater in the heart of downtown Chicago. We have been to the Broadway Playhouse a number of times. The good: clean, not too big, every seat is a good seat, friendly staff The bad: slowest snack bar line I have ever seen. Often I have wanted a drink at intermission but don't want to sit in the line. Will we be back ? Of course - we love this place. read more

I have been here once before. It is a small but intimate, nice theater. The acoustics are good. Seating is comfortable. When I entered a lady immediately asked for tickets, but I had comp tickets and was waiting for someone. The restroom was clean, decent. Nice decor. Parking nearby wasn't bad thanks to my peps at SpotHero. Restaurants nearby. First time seeing a musical here, not bad. read more

See all

Came here for the first time to see Cruel Intentions and it was AMAZZZZZINGGGGG! We scored last minute (aka within a few hours of the show, super cheap less than $20 tickets!). We sat in the front front row which I was a little concerned because those were the only seats available and so cheap that I was worried about an obstructed view. I was sure wrong! In my opinion it was the best seat in the whole house! We could see the whole stage with perfect perception and all the cool dancing and singing was so awesome right in front of us! Plus LEG ROOM! ha Definitely gonna go for the front cheap seats again! As far as the show, ummm I am a 90s baby for sure, watched the movie a billion times, know every line and innuendos by heart, and laughed and sang by ass off so much that I got so excited I bought a T-shirt (sensible) and a CD after (WHAT?!). Yes I excitedly bought a CD when I don't own a CD player haha! But it was so fun and the show was so amazing. I never ended up using the CD (collectors item maybe? lol) but I downloaded the musical on itunes ha. GO SEE IT! And the venue was awesome! Good snacks, STRONG drinks!, great views any where! read more

Broadway Playhouse - Row A seats 1&2! Great view!!! - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is a great little theater. I've been here twice now, and both times were nothing but pleasant. Most recently, I went to see Potted Potter at this theater. Our seats were only three seats away from the back row, but we still had a great view. It's a relatively small space and a small stage, and there's really not a bad seat in the house. Plus, the show was amazing, which definitely helps. The time before this, my sister, girlfriend and I went to see Dee Snider's Christmas show. We were supposed to be in the back row- but the staff here is awesome. They had some no shows in the front row, and so they came to our row and asked us if we'd like to move, free of charge. So the three of us got to enjoy Dee Snider's rock god glory from the very front and center. It doesn't get much better than that! read more

I loved this theater. Small, quaint and every seat in the house has a perfect view. This was an incredible play and so much fun! Had a Great Valentines Night here. read more

See all

Last night was the first play I've seen at the Broadway Playhouse as part of my Broadway in Chicago subscription, and this theater is lovely! I'm not a big fan of crowds and crowded spaces, which is why I include Suite Service with my theater package, but I can see why the Broadway Playhouse doesn't need Suite Service. The lobby was never crowded (before or after the show, or during intermission), the seats have a nice amount of legroom, and the lines moved quickly for the bar and restrooms during the intermission. Staff was efficient and friendly, everything is new and clean, and sight-lines were great for the show. My only complaint is that it's so far from the other Broadway in Chicago theaters, since I usually walk to the theater, and there aren't a huge amount of non-touristy dinner/drink options for before the show. But, all in all, a wonderful night at the theater! read more

I missed Stomp! while I was in NYC, so was so glad to score excellent (read: cheap AND front row!) tickets at The Broadway Playhouse! Good luck finding the venue, phew! It's between Macy's and the Ritz, across from the entrance to Harry Caray's 7th Inning Stretch. There's valet parking available. The staff was welcoming and appreciative of patrons. Bathrooms were plentiful and pretty clean. The show was GREAT - I was totally impressed with the talent! For a 100% performance, non-speaking (save for some grunts) Broadway show, it was humorous (including with pee and penis jokes) and engaging, complete with audience participation! Oh, and the dark-haired, muscular lead guy certainly didn't hurt! Yowzas. Stomp! makes for a great date night, but is also appropriate for families and great for the kids! read more

Broadway Playhouse - STOMP! stage - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Very nice theater, if quite a bit overpriced for tickets. Watch for discounts. Not a bad seat in the house, very nicely maintained, efficient entry process, nice little bar. Convenient parking in the adjacent tower lot; be sure to get Parking ticket validated when you eat at the restaurants next door for $12 Parking; theater validation only gets you like $14 and if you go over time it's more. (We went to the Parking office, showed our dinner receipt and the lady gave us the $12 rate cuz the restaurant was closed by then and we had forgotten.) A Taste of Things to Come was very good. Not worth $72, but very enjoyable. read more

We interrupt your regularly scheduled yelping to bring you an important announcement... Go See TRACES!!! Broadway Playhouse is located at The Water Place and was formerly Drury Lane Theater, but in April of this year it got a much needed makeover. Now, very modern, with a dab of chic, very comfy seats, and is super clean (despite being able to bring in food and drinks). I agree with Kate M, more then some of the seats have obstructed views and with the tickets prices being so high this is a no no in my book. The staff is stern but helpful. Other then their official grand re-opening with "Traces" they have also hosted a special 4 night only event in Sept. with an evening with Sutton Foster, and a newly adapted version of the musical "Working" in February 2011. After seeing Traces I have high hopes for this theater, I just hope my wallet can keep up. Traces -Pure energy built into an array of high-risk acrobatics, music, song, dance, and illustration. The Seven performers from this French Canadian company are themselves from all over the world, and each with their own unique talents. The stories that are told combine all of the above elements to form this thrill a minute/ entertaining experience. I haven't seen anything this exciting since "Fuerza Bruta". At times I even found myself gasping at these dangerous levels/ gravity defying acrobatics; but these performers pulled each and every stunt off as if it was just like walking for them. You feel the passion and energy poring off the stage. Such grace, strength, agility, and balance each one of them have. Even with all of that they also had me rolling on the floor laughing. Tickets are expensive for this one but if you can find a discount, it's worth seeing!! Cheers!! And remember, support the arts!! read more

See all

Not a bad seat in the house! The playhouse (located on the ground floor of Water Tower Place) is pretty small so it makes it great for an intimate experience with the performance. Brand spanking new after the renovation. Comfy seats. Did I mention how much leg room there is in the aisle? Lots. Pre-show drinks available at the bar. We were lucky to get free tickets for our show, courtesy of a friend, so I can't comment on ticket prices. We were sitting in the third row for the premiere of "Love, Loss, and What I Wore"--REALLY funny play based on--you guessed it--women and the memories associated with their clothes. It reminded me a little of the Vagina Monologues. The cast was fabulous, I mean really truly talented women that brought the play to life and had the audience laughing from start to finish. Would highly recommend the show and the theater. read more

Came here for a birthday present from my friends and family to see stomp. I have been to this theatre before. My friends and family loved the look and feel of the place. The actual show Stomp was beyond amazing. Very genius how they interact with the audience and create noise. We enjoyed it! read more

Broadway Playhouse - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Really neat little theater in Water Tower. Not a bad seat in the house, nicest ushers ever. We came to see Walking Dead the musical, which was hilarious. Can't wait to return. read more

The Playhouse is an all around spectacular venue. I visited for the first time a couple of weeks ago when the Beverly Hills, 90210 parody was playing there. We bought our tickets early so we had amazing seats. The venue is small though so it seemed like anyplace there would offer a good view. We arrived a few minutes before the doors opened so we were one of the first patrons allowed inside. We were able to use the restroom quickly and get to our seats before the crowd rushed in. The seats are plush, comfortable and pretty spacious for theatre seats. We sat in the first row of our section so the leg room was ample too. The staff consisted primarily of older women who could've been my grandma. They were all helpful and pleasant. The show started on time and everything went off without a hitch. The lighting and sound were on point. The temperature was also set at a comfortable level which is rare for a venue of this type. Christine Elise McCarthy (aka Emily Valentine) attended our show and she was kind enough to stick around after the show to sign autographs. The Playhouse staff didn't help out with any of that so it ended up being a free for all. It wasn't too bad though because everyone was respectful and semi orderly. The line moved swiftly and we only ended up waiting 20 minutes. The theatre is easily accessible via public transit or personal automobile. The theater offers discount parking for some of the lots around the area according to one staff member. read more

See all

This is a really nice, intimate theatre. I wasn't expecting that after having been at some of the other theaters nearby. There may well not be a bad seat in the house. One thing to note is that parking is really only available in the underground lot. Expensive.... unless I missed something... we parked at the lot for Watertower Place. It's an interesting contrast from the other Broadway in Chicago theaters, though I know it wasn't part of their group until earlier this year or so. They do have a bar, but they seem to only do pretty basic drinks. Luckily, not a big deal for me, but just be aware. I hope to see more shows here; here's hoping they don't just keep the lower quality ones there. read more

If you are planning to see a play at the Broadway Playhouse, which is conveniently located across from Chicago's Water Tower Place, I recommend "playing tourist" for the day: start off with lunch, do a little shopping on the Mag Mile, visit the Contemporary Museum of Art and walk along Oak Street Beach. We completed 3 of these 4 items (it was a little chilly for the beach) before heading over to the Broadway Playhouse to experience Dee Snider's Rock and Roll Christmas Tale this past December. Dee was in Chicago promoting this play he personally wrote. We didn't really know what to expect from this Rock 'n Roll Christmas Tale but, we really enjoyed it! Dee introduces the background of the play and then quietly sits off stage during the 1st act. This was a little weird cause, all you want to do is look at Dee who was the former lead singer of Twisted Sister during the performance. Dee finally gets the play going and leaves the stage but, pops up here and there as the narrator and plays a small part during the production. The play centers around a band who sells their souls to the devil so, they can play on the main stage of a local bar. We loved the costumes of the band, tight pink tights, lots of denim and leather along with the long wavy hair from the 1970's. The female costumes were a little risky for younger children, daisy duke shorts and lots of cleavage. Our original seats were in the very back of the Theater but, good news! The play was not sold out so, a very polite usher moved us to the 4th row. Wow! That has never happened to us and we very much appreciated the free upgrade. Another perk, free red and green flashlights to flicker when the band sang songs. How cool is that? Dee, so sorry for writing this review so late into 2015, hope you come back to Chicago for a 2nd Season. Chicago, go see this play especially if you grew up in the 1970's - 1980's, even my 78 year old mom laughed and rocked out with the songs. read more

See all

Cute, intimate, smaller theater with no bad seat in the house. Staff was polite and helpful right upon entry in directing everyone to the right door and their seats. We had front row seats to Potted Potter. Seats were comfortable. View was great, sound was great and the show was great. They had a giant screen in the lobby advertising the upcoming shows. Nice touch in additional to the posters outside. They also had a cash bar that I didn't get a chance to check out. Would definitely consider this theater for future shows. read more

Broadway Playhouse - View from the front row - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Our first time here, we brought our three kids here to see Stomp. It was AMAZING!! Great smaller theater, not a bad seat in the house. It's clean and the staff are friendly. Nice location, easy to find. Highly recommend checking out their shows. read more

Just saw "Potted Potter" Play today and it was an enjoyable performance for the whole family. It ran one hour and 20 minutes. Highly recommend seeing this performance as it runs in Chicago! Interaction with the audience adds to the mayhem. Cheers & Break a Leg! read more

IT GLOWS Rudolph's nose that is! Currently the live show "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" is running here. The show was very cute and basically followed the cartoon version from the 1950's. It is the perfect show to see if you have kids. The cast was really good. There were a few weak links but I'm not gonna call them out. The actor that played Cornelius the prospector stole the show. He was hilarious. He actually plays two roles. In the opening act he is the coach reindeer who teaches Rudolph to fly. His acting was solid but then he shows up as Cornelius and just steals the show. The child actor playing the Elf named Hermy was also really good too. It is great to see a solid young actor on stage at that age. I'm sure there are bigger things to come in the future and I can't wait. The ushers here seemed nice but really didn't know what they were doing. We were in the center section and the usher tried sending us down a packed row when our seats were actually 3,4 & 5. I looked at her and said, "It's actually faster if I just walk down the middle aisle to the other side." She kind of got a stupid look on her face. I thought to myself why are there even ushers here, if they have no idea where the seats are at. I even saw a Mom throw down with an Usher too. The Mom asked for a program for her daughter and the usher said, "I don't have enough!" The Mom in a snotty voice shouted, "My daughter has a paying ticket and I want a program now!" Can you feel the holiday love? Ho Ho Ho!!!! I looked down on the floor and there was a giant box of programs. Come on lying usher its for a child! The show had a great mix of acting, singing and dancing. There was even a giant Yeti who was really cute. I loved how they brought the lovable giant to life. There was also an accident while the Yeti was putting the star on the tree. He missed and it came crashing down. Guess who saved the show with some quick witty improv? The actor playing Cornelius. Yeah he was really good. He didn't even miss a beat. He just rolled with it. I must make a comment. Why do people attending broadway shows clap and cheer when a character flies? I've witnessed this before with Mary Poppins. When Rudolph flies at the end of the show everyone goes wild. It's just wires. It's not real. I almost feel like laughing because of the crowds reaction. I can understand if the character really flew on there own but we see them hooking up the cables to Rudolph. It's just one of my crazy observations. Next time you are at a Broadway show tell me how you feel when you experience that moment of fake flying. The Water Tower Shops also offers a bunch of options for food before or after the show. There is a bar in the lobby of the theater. Rudolph was not the only one that was glowing. After my Belvedere with soda I was glowing too and I was ready to spread some holiday cheer! So if your looking for some holiday fun, then check out this fun family show at the Broadway Playhouse. read more

I'm really happy about the new theater in this location. The theater is crisp and minimally decorated. A total 180 from Drury Lane. The lobby is simple, a bar, a coat check, and people to scan your tickets. The decor is minimal and is exactly what a place like this needs. It's a small theater, with a small lobby, I love that they aren't trying to overload my senses before I even get into the theater. The bar is well stocked and priced as expected for a theater in Water Tower Place. Plenty of signs let you know you can bring your drink to your seat, a nice perk you don't find everywhere. The seating in the theater is the only reason I didn't give them 5 stars. There are more than a few seats with obstructed views. I saw Traces and had the theater been packed and I couldn't move over, I wouldn't have been able to see half the show. Had I paid for the tickets I would've been very unhappy. If seats have obstructed views it should be noted when purchasing the tickets. The show was great. The staff was helpful. The decor is nice and quiet. All in all; a good place to spend an evening. read more

Minimalism at it's best, as other reviewers said, everything that you need, coat-check, bar, and not a bad seat in the house. Great location, easy to reach by public transportation, however you can park in Water Tower and they will give you a validation chaser ticket. My last visit here I took my MIL to see 50 shades and I didn't want to make her take a bus. Since it's just a short walk from the Water Tower parking elevators to the theater entry I left my coat in the car, so I didn't even have to deal with the coat check. The other perk was the ability to stop into a couple of stores in Water Tower while using my discounted parking, there are many quick dining options on level 2, some even healthy, some not so much. I did avail myself to splurge at the reopened Crumbs Cupcake Kiosk, a perfect Sunday afternoon. read more

My new favorite theater in Chicago. So modern looking on the inside. Not one bad seat in the house - the people in front of us? Didn't even notice them they were so much lower. I love this place. I want more shows here. It's clean. It's new. It's more personal feeling since you're up close. Tickets tend to be pricier for shows here, but so far those shows have been worth every penny! read more

In early November I had attended a performance of Traces in the Broadway Playhouse, which was previously the Drury Lane, and way back I think this was space for a regular movie theater. The seating area itself seemed relatively cozy, as we enjoyed our non-obstructed view seats. For a stellar show like Traces, I would have been completely bummed if I had been stuck with obstructed view seats! I was not too keen about the lobby area. Its main space is a round area (was it a circle or an ellipse in plan?). I was waiting for my friend to obtain the tickets from the box office, but while waiting I found that I did not have a convenient spot to stand. I felt like I was backing into a couple of small tables where patrons were enjoying (or not enjoying?) pre-show drinks. read more