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| Very Sad News: Two Very Prominent Chicago Theaters Have Closed Their Doors (for Good): Windy City Playhouse & BoHo Theatre | |
| Last Edit: BroadwayTonyJ 12:35 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 12:23 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
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| Windy City Playhouse made the announcement a few weeks ago. Boho Theatre sent me an e-mail this morning. I'm not surprised. My partner and I see 1 or 2 shows nearly every week. Ever since the startup post-Covid, I've noticed theaters, large and small, are often one third to one half empty. In the last few months I've seen some terrific shows at venues like Goodman, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare, Lincolnshire Marriott, Drury Lane Oakbrook, and Paramount North Aurora. Not one performance at any of these theaters was even close to sold out, not even the Seth Rudetsky/Jessie Mueller presentation at Steppenwolf (despite what one ATC-er falsely claimed when he was trying to sell a ticket here). I've seen 10 shows at Windy City Playhouse since 2015. Some of the highlights were productions of Stick Fly, Booty Candy, Noises Off (the funniest I've ever seen), and the incredible, immersive The Boys in the Band, which was widely discussed, acclaimed, and praised here on All That Chat. I've been going to BoHo Theatre for almost 19 years. Some of the most memorable shows I've seen there are Side Show, The Life, Songs for a New World, Hello Again, Pippin, Myths & Hymns, Parade, Dogfight, Ordinary Days, Urinetown, Marie Christine, Big Fish, and so many more. Two incredible losses for great theatre in the Chicago area. I hope I'm wrong, but I suspect there will be a similar announcement in the next few weeks by another very prominent equity theater, which just a week ago pulled the plug on their last scheduled musical of this season with no official announcement -- the show was just erased from their website (yet tickets were still being sold by their distributor). I thought something was wrong when there was no advance advertising for the upcoming production. I called the box office and was told the show wasn't happening. I asked why tickets were still being sold, but the reply was simply that the show wasn't happening. Very sad and ominous. However, I sincerely pray that I am mistaken about this theatre's future because it's demise will send shock waves throughout the theatre community in Chicago. Sadly, there is still no update on exactly what is going on with Victory Gardens Theater, which has been closed for about 9 months now. |
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| According to the Artistic Direction, WIndy City Playhouse is still planning productions but they're selling the building-NM | |
| Posted by: Kjisgroovy 11:06 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
| In reply to: Very Sad News: Two Very Prominent Chicago Theaters Have Closed Their Doors (for Good): Windy City Playhouse & BoHo Theatre - BroadwayTonyJ 12:23 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
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| NM | |
| Link | https://chicagoreader.com/arts-culture/ghost-light/windy-city-playhouse-goes-on-the-market/ |
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| Victory Gardens | |
| Posted by: Singapore/Fling 07:15 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
| In reply to: Very Sad News: Two Very Prominent Chicago Theaters Have Closed Their Doors (for Good): Windy City Playhouse & BoHo Theatre - BroadwayTonyJ 12:23 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
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| At this point, working at Victory Gardens would be like crossing a picket line. No self-respecting arts worker would align themselves with VG, and if they did, they’d be shunned by most of the industry. That board dug their grave. |
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| re: Victory Gardens | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 05:18 am EDT 05/27/23 | |
| In reply to: Victory Gardens - Singapore/Fling 07:15 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
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| I only know one side of the story, basically what Roxanna Conner told me and what I read in the news, i. e., Chris Jones' articles in the Tribune and Kerry Reid's article in the Chicago Reader. Unfortunately, I'm not sure I understand the entire situation. Such a tragedy and what an unconscionable handling of the situation by the board, some of whom (I'm not sure how many) are people of color! My partner and I began seeing shows at Victory Gardens in 2010. Since then such plays as Tree, Appropriate, Cocked, A Wonder in My Soul, Native Gardens, Pipeline, The First Deep Breath, and finally cullud wattah, which was programmed by Ken Matt-Martin -- no theatre group in Chicago can match that record of introducing new works of African-American playwrights to Chicago audiences, not Steppenwolf, not Goodman, and not Court Theatre. It's such an unnecessary loss for the theatre community in Chicago. |
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| re: Very Sad News: Two Very Prominent Chicago Theaters Have Closed Their Doors (for Good): Windy City Playhouse & BoHo Theatre | |
| Posted by: PlazaBoy 03:26 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
| In reply to: Very Sad News: Two Very Prominent Chicago Theaters Have Closed Their Doors (for Good): Windy City Playhouse & BoHo Theatre - BroadwayTonyJ 12:23 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
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| Very sad to hear. The last show I saw before the covid shut down was the immersive The Boys in the Band. Agree that it was spectacular. I've also observed that theaters here are far from full. There are many possible reasons and I think one can draw a parallel to peoples desire to work from home. I'm speaking very broadly, but there seems to be a desire by some people to create an insular, hassle free environment for themselves whenever possible. The opposite of being out and about and seeking communal experiences. I think social media fuels that impulse too. It's so easy to stay in, yet feel you are connected to the world. That's not the way I feel, but I see it in some of my friends. |
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| There is so much streaming series also | |
| Posted by: dramedy 06:20 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
| In reply to: re: Very Sad News: Two Very Prominent Chicago Theaters Have Closed Their Doors (for Good): Windy City Playhouse & BoHo Theatre - PlazaBoy 03:26 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
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| now entire series drop all episodes every week on different streaming services and that takes 10 plus hours to watch a series. Why bother seeing a live show when you can watch a few episodes on netflix, hulu, prime or max. | |
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| re: There is so much streaming series also | |
| Posted by: Singapore/Fling 07:10 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
| In reply to: There is so much streaming series also - dramedy 06:20 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
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| But that was the case pre-Covid, so it’s not really a factor. | |
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| i think it has increased a lot | |
| Posted by: dramedy 08:08 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
| In reply to: re: There is so much streaming series also - Singapore/Fling 07:10 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
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| HBO Max launched May 2020--clearly was in the works before covid but is well established during covid. And i would think a lot of people like me that really didn't stream much before COVID got very used to doing so during COVID and continue to do so especially by upgrading home equipment like i did during summer 2020. | |
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| re: Very Sad News: Two Very Prominent Chicago Theaters Have Closed Their Doors (for Good): Windy City Playhouse & BoHo Theatre | |
| Posted by: OriginalTopherP 01:48 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
| In reply to: Very Sad News: Two Very Prominent Chicago Theaters Have Closed Their Doors (for Good): Windy City Playhouse & BoHo Theatre - BroadwayTonyJ 12:23 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
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| This last show you mention: is/was it American Idiot @ American Blues? Otherwise, I'm drawing a blank... | |
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| What Theater? Why the secrecy? | |
| Posted by: Kjisgroovy 11:01 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
| In reply to: re: Very Sad News: Two Very Prominent Chicago Theaters Have Closed Their Doors (for Good): Windy City Playhouse & BoHo Theatre - OriginalTopherP 01:48 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
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| There's no doubt we've lost some greats. But... Chicago Shakes Goodman Paramount Steppenwolf Timeline Writer's Drury Lane Marriott Lincolnshire Northlight Marriott Court A Red Orchid Mercury All have completed or are in process of completed their announced season and have several shows announced coming up. Porchlight Lookingglass Are in the process of completing their seasons but have not announced a new season (and I could see either, especially Lookingglass, calling it a day) What prominent equity theater am I missing? |
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| re: What Theater? Why the secrecy? | |
| Posted by: PlazaBoy 11:37 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
| In reply to: What Theater? Why the secrecy? - Kjisgroovy 11:01 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
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| I'd hate to see Porchlight go. I've seen a lot there. Lookingglass looks interesting, although I have never seen a show of theirs. Like a significant portion of Chicago theater goers, I don't own a car. A loss of a theater that is easily accessible is particularly felt. I am rarely able to easily get to the suburbs for a show. |
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| re: Very Sad News: Two Very Prominent Chicago Theaters Have Closed Their Doors (for Good): Windy City Playhouse & BoHo Theatre | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 02:01 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
| In reply to: re: Very Sad News: Two Very Prominent Chicago Theaters Have Closed Their Doors (for Good): Windy City Playhouse & BoHo Theatre - OriginalTopherP 01:48 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
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| No, it's not American Blues. I'm concerned about their strange behavior, and the phone conversation I had with the person who answered the phone last week. I'm hoping that there is a reasonable explanation. I'll send you an e-mail. |
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| Would you kindly send me an email? | |
| Posted by: clothedboysinging (markdereng@yahoo.com) 07:15 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
| In reply to: re: Very Sad News: Two Very Prominent Chicago Theaters Have Closed Their Doors (for Good): Windy City Playhouse & BoHo Theatre - BroadwayTonyJ 02:01 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
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| I'm here in Wheeling. Thank you. Mark |
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| I don’t think any mid size have closed in bay area | |
| Posted by: dramedy 12:44 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
| In reply to: Very Sad News: Two Very Prominent Chicago Theaters Have Closed Their Doors (for Good): Windy City Playhouse & BoHo Theatre - BroadwayTonyJ 12:23 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
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| I was thinking this morning how ACT hasn’t had any big discounts for their shows. I used to get front orch for $30 for previews before covid. But I do think several are struggling. Ive heard that subscriptions have dropped a lot for several theaters which really rely on that steady income. I see a lot less now. I used to go about once a week and not it’s about once a month. FOMO isn’t that big part of my life anymore at least for theater. |
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| Chicago Theatre Update: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly | |
| Last Edit: BroadwayTonyJ 03:29 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 03:17 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
| In reply to: I don’t think any mid size have closed in bay area - dramedy 12:44 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
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| Since the start-up, Theatre at the Center (Munster, IN) has not done any full productions of musicals or plays. Instead they are presenting cabaret acts, stand-up, and some specialty shows -- they are a 400-seat venue. Stage 773, also, no longer does plays or musicals, but is more like a museum or art center with some live entertainment. They've renamed themselves WHIM. Lookingglass Theatre, one of the majors, hosted a fine production by Congo Square Theatre of a new play called What to Send Up When it Goes Down last October. Since then they did revivals of two shows from a few years ago. They are doing a new show now. The Athenaeum and Den Theatres have not done much of consequence since pre-Covid, definitely not full productions of plays or musicals. Den is hosting a new (About Face Theatre) production of last year's Gender Play right now -- my partner and I enjoyed the initial 2022 version quite a lot. On the plus side, Timeline Theatre has done 3 plays in a row, Relentless; Campaigns, Inc; Trouble in Mind, that were incredible and sold out the performances that I attended. I've had a subscription with Paramount North Aurora for 2 years now, and every single musical production has been outstanding, although attendance has been down -- it has a seating capacity of 1,885. Drury Lane Oakbrook has actually tripled the price of single tickets, but every play and musical I have seen there in the last two years has been very good -- their subscription price remains reasonable, but many of the shows they are doing I've already seen way too many times. Theo-Ubique's recent musical productions of Once Upon a Mattress, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and The Threepenny Opera have all been very entertaining. Lincolnshire Marriott's productions over the last 6 months of A Christmas Story, Big Fish, and Damn Yankees have been fine, but like other venues their size with reduced attendance. Rivendell Theatre right now is doing a terrific production of a play called Motherhouse, which is riveting and somewhat in the vein of August: Osage County -- it's been selling out its 45-seat venue for almost two months now and has extended to June 25th. |
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