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.

Provocative and intense... Chicago artists at their best... A community event That stitches…read moretogether the soul of the city!

From the owner: True Muse's Second Sunday Salon Series is a monthly live performance and art exhibition at The…read morePrint Shop in Humboldt Park. Join us for live music, spoken word, art, photography, original films, dance, readings, creative workshops and great conversation. Enjoy wine and cheese and other light bites at our events. Learn about Chicago based creators and build community with us.

My wife and I throughly enjoyed our experience at the show. Kayla was charming, funny and really…read moreamazing at her craft. Can't recommend this enough. Cary W

I decided to see a show with a group of my friends for my birthday and OMG we had the BEST time!…read moreHarrison continuously cracked us up - he's not just a magician, he is SO funny and his improv game is on point! And the magic is AMAZING!! The space is wonderful (I prefer intimate spaces and it couldn't have been more perfect), love the cosmic theme, and they even gave me the CUTEST stuffed alien birthday present! Hurry up and go see a show here before they blow up, because they absolutely WILL! THANK YOU for making my birthday special, Cosmic Underground Theatre!

Second City Chicago never fails to deliver. Every show I've seen has been genuinely funny on an…read moreintelligent, sharp, and expertly crafted level. The cast is consistently brilliant, and the comedy feels effortless while clearly being the result of immense talent, timing, and skill. The food and drinks are also something to note - some places just do the basics, but I like that Second City takes pride in what they serve. I also had the incredible opportunity to take classes here back in 2017 with my husband, which gave me an even deeper appreciation for what happens on stage. The entire concept - how the sketches are written, how they flow seamlessly from one to the next, and how improv is woven throughout - is truly genius. What's especially impressive is how expertly the performers handle audience members who may be a bit too enthusiastic or disruptive. They manage these moments with wit, grace, and humor, turning potential interruptions into laugh-out-loud highlights without ever derailing the show. Second City isn't just a comedy show, it's an institution. Whether you're there as an audience member or fortunate enough to study there, the experience is consistently memorable, inspiring, and endlessly entertaining. A must-see in Chicago, every single time.

First time at an improv show, Second City was a recommendation from a friend…read more The place is really big & well decorated. We got reasonably priced tickets and headed up to the 3rd floor. The space was small and intimate but it was great being so close to the stage. Very cute little spot and fun activity with friends or a date.

I took expert theater goers Megan and I a minute or two to figure out this one. The Lincoln Square…read moreTheater is a performance space used by the Lincoln Square Community Arts Center. The theater is located in the Berry Memorial United Methodist Church basement. You got that?? Basically a small playhouse in a church that is used by many production companies. But, it doesn't just have plays, it also hosts cultural discussions, stage readings, live music, and dance. One evening Megan and I decided to track down this theater for a "Babes and Blades" production called "The Double". A screwball comedy meets swashbuckler in a tribute to Cyrano de Bergerac and the 1940s. Megan liked it but I did not. It's nothing against the actors or playwright, I'm tired of old fashion period pieces. Again it's a personal thing. The actors were great, singing, dancing, sword fighting (though I expected more), and an easy to follow story filled with romance and comedy. It really did remind me of 1940's film, the way they spoke, the way they dressed, and even the dance numbers. Anyways can't hurt to keep an eye out for future shows at LSAC.

Beautiful building, been here for several performances. Friendly staff. Usually use SpotHero to…read morefind a decent priced parking nearby. Holds about 3,500 people I believe, so the lines for drinks etc can get very crowded. The trick for entry is to use the side entrance which has 3 security lines and moves fairly quickly.

The Chicago Theater is a beautiful landmark to see a show. The inside is inspired by French…read morearchitecture with crystal chandelier, several murals and a grand staircase. 5/5 stars for the entry process! Security and bag check moved incredibly fast and were very well-organized. We had seats on the main floor and they were surprisingly roomy, and even from the side, the view of the stage was great. This is a great venue to see a show.

I have heard of Filament--a small storefront, black box theater in Irving Park--from my days as an…read moreusher for the Saints, but hadn't ever visited. It's only in the last couple of weeks that I learned they're a children's theatre. Their mission is somewhat radical, to be honest--adultism as a form of oppression and the need to eradicate it. I totally dig it, and what a thought-provoking place from which to produce programming and events. We went for Forts!, which seems to be a perennial experience here at Filament. Although it seems like just a time for kids to play, it is structured. There's a portion of the event where the kid just get to knock down the boxes. Then they bring down some sheets and blankets for the kids to drape over their forts and make them more fort-like. There are couches littered about the place for children and adults alike. Throughout the rest of the performance they add other elements like flashlights, music, and so on. My babe had fun and I'd bring her again when she's older, as I assume this will return. I'm keeping an eye on Filament for future plays and events so that I can enjoy some time at the theatre with my girl.

Filament Theatre is a cool little place for kids to catch a play. It has a cycling schedule of…read moreshows and seems to cater to you a younger audience. It is intimate and the 30 or so seats are arranged in a circle around the interactive stage. The theatre is located on Milwaukee Avenue in Portage Park and there is plenty of meter parking. We saw "The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles" which was a very unique performance. In the middle of the room is a large sandbox and the kids all sit on pillows and get to play with the sand during the show. The actors were all very talented and they story was interesting. It lasted about 1.5 hours and was the perfect length for youngsters. There was lots of audience interaction to keep the kids engaged. They also do acting lessons here and a variety of camps. There are many options on their website so check that out. Pricing was pretty affordable and they have many options. I highly recommend checking out a play here if you have little kids who show an interest in theatre.

I've lived in the area for a bit and FINALLY made my way to the Laugh Factory. My friends and I…read morecame for a late night stand-up show. Tickets were free!! Honestly a great show, I've been to some really bad stand up before and I was impressed by each of the comedians. There is a two drink minimum per person - alcoholic or non-alcoholic. Not a big deal to us since we were in the mood for a drink and didn't pay for tickets, but something to note if you're coming to a paid show. There's a lot of open seating as well, and all were in great view of the stage. The venue is fairly large while still feeling pretty intimate. If you're a fan of comedy I'd definitely recommend a stand-up show, and I'll probably be back to check out one of the paid ones!

First time visiting the Laugh Factory so I decided to purchase tickets to the show while visiting…read moreChicago. Tickets were easy to purchase online. There is a 2 drink minimum. The waiter was friendly. The comedians listed on the website were not the comedians that were at the show nevertheless, the show had some funny moments and some comedians were funnier than others. We got some guest comedians that happened to be in town and was somewhat familiar with from social media skits. We check out the Laugh Factory again preferably in another location.

Passionate, skilled Professionals, sharing the classics for no charge to audience. AEA actors…read more Great dramaturgy before each show and talk-back after. True community.

Yesterday would have been William Shakespeare's 449th birthday (and also the anniversary of his…read moredeath), which proved to be the inspiration to write this review. Maybe you've not heard of The Shakespeare Project of Chicago, and that's a shame, but I'm happy to tell you all about it. This is NOT the place down on Navy Pier (although they do wonderful work as well). The Shakespeare Project of Chicago is a non-profit organization that has been in existence since 1996, and its goals are pretty simple: bringing Shakespeare's beautiful words to life, for the community--to create, as their tagline says, The World in Words. For free. That's right, for free. Theatrical readings are performed throughout the year at several venues in the city and nearby suburbs (mostly libraries, which is highly fitting). These smaller venues lend a much more intimate feel. The talent pool is deep--these are professional actors with impressive credits that run the gamut from Broadway, film and television, to Shakespeare festivals, both regional and international. Over the past 18 seasons, Shakespeare's canon of classic plays has been performed; from all of the popular comedies, tragedies, and histories, to the less well-known ones that you may not be familiar with. They've tackled them all, with precision and aplomb. The actors perform the plays without benefit of fancy costumes or elaborate sets, instead choosing to focus on the text. Believe me when I say that you won't miss the costumes; in fact, you won't even notice they're not there. Prior to the show, a dramaturge will introduce the play and offer some background, and after the show, questions and comments from the audience are encouraged. Perhaps one of my favorite things about The Shakespeare Project is their Education Outreach Program. This program is intended to bring Shakespeare into the middle or high school classroom at a completely accessible level, via their "50 Minute" versions of classic plays like Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and Hamlet. The Education Outreach Program has been extremely well received and a godsend to English and drama teachers through the city and suburbs looking to get their students excited about, and interested in, Shakespeare. I'm lucky enough to know someone closely affiliated with this organization so I've seen countless performances over the years. I'm consistently impressed with the level of artistry that comes through in each and every production. Again, performances are free, but a small donation is always greatly appreciated. There's usually a jar next to the programs and information in which to bestow any amount you wish to contribute. There's no pressure whatsoever, but as with any not-for-profit organization, they still have costs that are incurred to put on these wonderful shows. Get thee to a performance! Be not afraid of greatness.

First time visitor. Loved it! This is an older smaller…read morevenue but that adds to the experience. They do have cashless snacks and drinks for sale. Staff was so polite. Actors were great. Show is a must see. The story of Bernadette ! They do sell merch as well after the show.

This venue has some really strong positives - like free parking, historic importance and really…read moreunique productions. It's also in disrepair and the overall experience becomes quite affected by it. I've been twice - to watch Dante and Flamenco. Their ticketing system is quite lax and we found people sitting in rows/seats they didn't bug, creating chaos. We settled for a new option close by because people claiming our ticketed seats didn't want to relocate. The sound system was generally fine but there are some logistical challenges they faced for the flamenco performance.