We saw this new and on-going production at the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates. It's been a long time…read moresince we have seen a Cirque du Soleil show. We saw the only other two (for us) both times decades ago in Las Vegas with one being a water theme and the other a Beatles tribute theme. This OVO show had an insect theme, and it was a colorful, dynamic, acrobatic, amazing, musical, and funny circus-like show - all very entertaining! It was a 2 hour show including a 20 minute intermission. Even after all these years, they still come up with some new routines and gadgetry, and of course have retained many of their acrobatic favorites. This time they also had three clown characters for some comic relief between amazing acrobatic routines, and they were hilarious lol. They also had some live musicians performing as part of the show. This show apparently is only in Chicagoland for the Valentine's Day weekend and I really enjoyed it. I didn't really like the tight seating in the NOW Arena but that's a different story. Kids would enjoy it as well particularly with the insect costumes and clown routines. BTW, any photos I have included here are all legit - photography was actually encouraged, just no flash photography. I highly recommend the show if you have the opportunity to go!

I went to watch Les Miserables by Schaumburg On Stage as I'd recently missed the national tour in…read moredowntown Chicago. Realizing that Drury Lane and Paramount had done their version a few years back and Marriott Theatre had done it a bit before that, I wanted to watch a live version in case I can't make the next big stop in Milwaukee. I watch quite a bit of theatre, both professional and amateur. Not sure why, but until this show -- I wasn't aware of Schaumburg on Stage which has been around since 2016. To my surprise, the quality of the production was similar in quality to other highly acclaimed groups like the District 214 all-district group (which recently did The Wedding Singer). Here were my thoughts on various aspects of the show: Staging: It really surprised me how many sets were used in the show and how they were fully functional. They were designed and painted well and items were hardly reused. They also did a very good job of quickly changing sets to make sure the showtime was kept to a reasonable length. Vocals: Two things I like about this. One is how they kept the complex harmonies -- which worked great in group songs. The overall balance lacked baritone and bass voices, but that's expected with younger actors. I also liked how they did not shy away from the challenge of the very high notes for male or female leads. They could have easily changed the key, but it's great to see them embrace the challenge. Orchestra: A bit smaller, not sure if it's due to space limitations or that's the way the school version is written. A bit more reliant on piano and common woodwind/string instruments than the full version. I did like how they played at a level not to overpower the vocals. Lighting and fog: I liked all the varieties of lights used. Not just in general stage lighting from the top, but also from lights on the side and spotlights. There were quite a bit of variations on lighting, which helped to tell the story. I did not like the excessive use of stage fog though, which tended to linger for more than a single scene. Overall, a great group to watch a show from. It's much better than the typical amateur group and prices are very reasonable. It's also great how they incorporate actors and actresses from all different ages and help them to build interest in theatre. Based on the quality of this performance, I can't wait to watch another show when they get a new digital microphone system.

The experienced people at SOS really see the value and potential in each kid. They are like family…read morein that they really connect and care, but they also hold the kids to a high standard and help them achieve it. This is definitely a step up from park district community theater in both production quality and experience.

I have been a patron of Metropolis for as long as I can remember, starting with the influence of my…read moregrandpa and grandma taking me to the children's shows. The quaint theater doesn't really have a "bad" seat in the house! They have programming that spans improv, musicals, classic plays, children's theatre, educational concerts, a capella, etc. They also have a performing arts school in which my daughter has taken classes and summer camps at. One star off because I wish they would do more accessible tickets e.g. rush tickets or lotteries. One of shows of the children from the school of the performing arts was, like, $20/person. Also, the Play that Goes Wrong was $50. I can see a Broadway in Chicago show for that price if you go about it utilizing the proper channels. I do not utilize the bar during shows, but they sell snacks, which are not allowed in the theater, and drinks, which are allowed in the theater.

Very disappointed we paid for seats and then was told first come first serve. So nit happy we…read morewaited in lobby thinking we had a say section 3 seat 7-8. So our seats we 3-4 , 5-6, 7-8. For three couples. Instead seat were saved and not together. Every one in this row thought the same. It was awful and birthday party like ours and they had to divide up as some couple sat between them. I see plays on the regular and not sure I would come back here. They cast only performed to the middle section. So it was not worth what we paid. I plan to take my friends to another venue next time.

I love this place! The prices are reasonable so that you can see all season…read more The theater is not very big. Even if you are in the last row you can see well. The plays are family friendly. They usually do 1 "children's" play such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang each season. The theater is non profit. The cast is all volunteer. Do not let that affect what you think. The plays are wonderful. I just saw Tuesdays with Morrie last night. Tears were rolling down my cheeks. If you have not been to one of the plays before...well, you are missing a good show.

This venue is a hidden gem . Local theatre company with exceptional talent, costumes, set design…read more Family affordable and clean and friendly and just a joy ! Don't pass up if you have a chance to see a show here ! No regrets ever !

Never did anything like this before but it wasn't what I had expected. I was expecting more of a…read moretheatrical atmosphere rather than 2 people in plain street clothes in a plain banquet room. No props, scenery, etc. The skit was good though but there was a lot of improv that was hit or miss. Seemed like something you would find at Second City. A few audience participation scenes too. Though I wouldn't do it again, they had some good plot twists and tricky scenarios to figure out.

Update: I received an email from the organizer regarding my experience (I had reached out via their…read morewebsite after the show) with an apology for the food experience and an offer to refund the tickets, which was accepted and appreciated. The star rating was updated due to the fact that they made it right and because of the two main performers, who are what made the show enjoyable. They were fun to watch.

I am highly disappointed in Aloha Chicago! Total bait and switch on what I was sold and the service…read moreI was provided. I signed a contract for a 30 minute performance with 2 dancers and a fire dance portion. After my contract was signed and my payment made in full the contact Chris tried to change the time then tried to change the service. Fast forward to a week prior and the fire dance was cancelled by Aloha Chicago. I was told to compensate we would have dancers available after the 30 mintues for photos. No option for a refund or longer show when the fire portion was $100 value. The day of the event the dancers only performed 2 songs then took 10 mins on audience participation before making themselves available another 10 minute for photos. In total the 2 song performance was 10 minutes, not 30. The entire experience was infuriating! The result for the price was outrageous. For $500 paid in full more than a month in advance I expected more than 2 songs by the dancers!! I reached out to my contact Chris with zero response still more than a week later.

ALOHA!! Had the pleasure of seeing Aloha Chicago performance at the Levy Senior Center in Evanston…read moreIl. on 09 AUG 19! What a pleasurable experience. The performances were great!! The Dancers Beautiful. The audiences participants were having a great time. the Drummer/ MC explained the Drums and the dances and had a Schtick that kept us all laughing !! A wonderful performance that enhanced the Levy Center Luau Party! Hope you all come back next year!! ALOHA and Mahalo!!

We love the Marriott Theatre, and were so grateful to receive complimentary tickets from Yelp to…read moresee the musical "Come from Away"! Our huge thanks to Yelp, our Community Manager Kesha, and the Marriott Theatre for this wonderful opportunity. My husband, who is also a fellow Yelp Elite, was my plus-one. We were deeply touched by this powerful yet entertaining musical. "Come from Away" is based on the true story of what happened after the U.S. airspace was closed on September 11, 2001, following the attacks. 38 planes carrying thousands of passengers from around the world were diverted to the small town of Gander, Newfoundland. For 5 days, this close-knit community generously welcomed the stranded passengers with open arms, providing shelter, food, clothing, an open bar, and most importantly, compassion and kindness. We watched "Come from Away" on the evening of September 12, just after the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The timing made the experience especially poignant. I had goosebumps throughout this 100-minute production, brought to life by the incredibly talented cast of the Marriott Theatre. The heartbreaking moments were skillfully interwoven with laugh-out-loud humor, creating an emotional roller coaster that never felt heavy-handed. This award-winning musical beautifully celebrates the triumph of humanity and reminds us that, despite our differences, we are all part of a global family. By the end, what stayed with me was a profound sense of love, resilience, friendship, romance, and gratitude. The Marriott Theatre's theatre-in-the-round setup is perfect for this production that there truly are no bad seats! The rotating stage creates an immersive atmosphere that brings the story to life and makes the audience feel completely connected to the action. I also loved the witty costume design, which helps the actors transform quickly between characters. The same talented cast portrays both the Ganderites and the stranded passengers, and their versatility is remarkable. "Come from Away" runs from August 26 through October 18, 2026. Don't miss the chance to see this phenomenal production, I highly recommend it!

Marriott Theatre continues to prove why it's one of the best regional theaters around. The theater…read morein the round design makes every seat feel intimate, and with its 360 degree layout, there really isn't a bad seat in the house. The scenic design, lighting, and costumes beautifully transformed the space into a dreamy turn of the century Swedish countryside. A Little Night Music was such an interesting production! It had a little bit of everything including romance, humor, scandal, suspense, and plenty of unexpected plot twists. At times, it was a bit challenging to keep up with all of the intertwining storylines and relationships, but once everything started coming together, it made for a fun and entertaining experience. Even if you're not familiar with A Little Night Music, the witty humor, romance, and tangled relationships keep the story engaging from start to finish. The cast did an incredible job balancing comedy and emotion, delivering plenty of laugh out loud moments alongside heartfelt scenes. As always, Marriott Theatre made for a wonderful night out. Parking is free, the venue is comfortable, and the staff is welcoming, friendly, and organized. If you're looking for a great date night or simply love live theater, this production is absolutely worth the trip to Lincolnshire. A special shoutout to Kesha, our Community Manager, and the incredible Marriott Theatre staff. My husband recently fractured his foot and is currently using a knee scooter. They graciously accommodated us with an aisle seat at the last minute, and the staff went above and beyond by helping transport his scooter to and from our seats. That level of kindness and customer service truly made our evening stress free, and we're so grateful for their thoughtfulness.

Madcats is an unassuming lively music venue in Downtown Palatine. Every weekend, various types of…read morebands play with drinks served. If you want a table while watching your favorite band, come early and grab a seat! It fills up quickly. Good is served and service is fast! Delicious options and great drinks at a decent cost. You won't be paying high prices for drinks. It's a lively place, sound quality is also great, and the staff is friendly! We like coming here when we want to hear great music. Madcats is a great addition to Palatine!

Madcats opened in 2021 and has had many live events…read more We recently went to see a Fleetwood Mac cover band that did really well. The place is small and was full. I could tell that people truly enjoyed. There's even a small dancing area up front. The food and drink are decent. The servers work hard when it's busy - yet manage to keep friendly. The only downside is that there is a section where you can't really see the stage (about 1/4 of the inside area).

I've been here a few times over the years. They have a lot of big names that come through. The…read moreparking sucks because it's part of the mall and there are restaurants nearby. I think if they were a stand alone building, the parking would not be as awful. After you park, they have two lines going into the building. One is general admission and the other is VIP. General admission was on the left and VIP was on the right. They are not labeled. VIP just means that you sit closer to the stage. Seats are like first come first serve. Btw when it is busier, they have people sitting in front of you at each table. They fill each table to the max. In general, I would recommend lining up at least 30-40 mins before the show begins, for better seating. After you sit down, you have to order two items per person. We just ordered two drinks each. It's kind of an asinine rule but I guess that's how they make their money. We ordered food in the past. Ever since then, we just grab food nearby before coming. Food was okay here. The drinks are not bad, the glasses are a good size so you can sip on it throughout the show. Service was good, although it could be better. It took awhile to receive our drinks. Depending on the comedian, you can get a free picture or you have to pay for one. Overall, it's like a 3.5 experience but 5 stars for the comedian. Meh, I'll give it 4 stars.

First Time In This Place watching a comedy show. We watched Jr De Guzman and he was so funny I…read moredidn't expect that very thankful that my friend invited me to go to the show we were in the second row table and the ticket was $53 which is super worth it. Parking was in an issue the place is small their stairs but there's also an elevator which I like the fact that it is small because it's more intimate that way and the comedian can actually interact with the audience. We didn't really try the food but there is a two drink minimum or an order of food so we just did two drinks it's a bit pricey so just need to expect that. The service was great the our server was always there checking up on us and asking what we needed so that's also a good thing. Will definitely come back and see more shows here. Happy watching!

It's been years since I've attended a circus and we were so impressed to see such amazing talent in…read morethese performers. We laughed so hard with the comedian and then sat in awe to see some of the impossible yet possible acts. Best of all there's no animal cruelty! This event was taken place in Huntington but is now in Citifield until Dec 15. Totally worth the visit. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

We had the chance to visit the circus!!! Our son loved the show, it wasn't super long. Animal free,…read moreplenty of acrobatics and stunts. Great fun for all. A bit pricey for concessions and extras, but such a neat little show!!!