Chicago theater runs from Broadway tours in the Loop to ensemble companies on the North Side and big musicals in the suburbs, sometimes on the same night. This guide points you to the major houses in the city and the larger suburban venues, with locations first so you know where you are headed.
Chicago Theaters at a Glance
Use this quick comparison to narrow down a theater by location, the kind of shows it stages and how you might get there. Parking availability and transit schedules can change, so check before your visit.
| Theater | Neighborhood / City | Typical productions | Parking / Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goodman Theatre | Loop | Plays, new work, classics and musicals | CTA nearby; paid downtown garages |
| Broadway touring theaters | Loop | Touring Broadway musicals and plays | CTA nearby; paid downtown garages |
| Lookingglass Theatre | Magnificent Mile | Inventive plays and adaptations | CTA buses nearby; paid parking |
| Chicago Shakespeare Theater | Navy Pier | Shakespeare, plays and musicals | Navy Pier garages; CTA buses |
| Steppenwolf Theatre | Lincoln Park | Contemporary plays and ensemble drama | North/Clybourn Red Line; nearby garages |
| Biograph Theater (Victory Gardens) | Lincoln Park | Plays and musicals by visiting companies | Fullerton Red, Brown and Purple Line; paid parking |
| Court Theatre | Hyde Park | Classics and adaptations | Free parking; #55 Garfield bus |
| Marriott Theatre | Lincolnshire | Musicals in the round | On-site parking; driving is most practical |
| Drury Lane Theatre | Oakbrook Terrace | Professional musicals and plays | On-site parking; driving is most practical |
| Paramount Theatre | Aurora | Large-scale musicals and live events | Downtown Aurora parking; Metra BNSF line |
The Loop
Goodman Theatre
Location: Loop, 170 N. Dearborn St.
The Goodman has been producing plays since 1925, making it Chicago’s oldest theater, and it has staged nearly 200 world or American premieres. Its home on Dearborn is a few blocks from the Broadway houses, and the season mixes new plays, revivals and musicals with its annual A Christmas Carol, a holiday tradition since 1978 (see our Chicago holiday shows guide). Read our Goodman Theatre guide.
Broadway Touring Theaters
Location: Loop (downtown Chicago)
The big touring musicals land at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre and James M. Nederlander Theatre, all clustered in the Loop. Parking is expensive and the houses are large, so plan transit or a garage in advance. See our Chicago Theatre District Guide for the full layout of the area.
Near North and Navy Pier
Lookingglass Theatre Company
Location: Magnificent Mile (Water Tower area)
Lookingglass works out of the old Water Tower Water Works on Michigan Avenue. The space is small and flexible—seating and stage layout change from show to show—and the company is known for physical, inventive adaptations. In our reviews of Moby Dick and Lookingglass Alice, the acrobatic staging stood out, with actors climbing walls and rigging over the audience. Enter at 163 E. Pearson St.; Michigan Avenue itself is no-stopping.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Location: Navy Pier
Chicago Shakespeare sits on Navy Pier with multiple spaces. Our coverage has ranged from classic Shakespeare to inventive and family pieces; the Pier location supports both full productions and shorter versions. It is convenient if you are already on the Pier, but parking is the usual Navy Pier experience: use the theater’s dedicated entrance (Entrance 1) and get your ticket validated for the discounted rate. The Pier also has dining options if you want to make a night of it.
North Side
Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Location: Lincoln Park, 1650 N. Halsted St.
Steppenwolf is built around its acting ensemble, and its campus sits on Halsted a block north of North Avenue. For a sense of the work, see our review of Frank Galati’s East of Eden, directed by Terry Kinney. Steppenwolf runs its own parking garage just south of the theater at 1624 N. Halsted, plus valet. Visit our Steppenwolf Theatre guide.
Biograph Theater (Victory Gardens)
Location: Lincoln Park, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.
The historic Biograph, owned by Victory Gardens Theater, has two stages: the Začek McVay Mainstage and the smaller Richard Christiansen Theater. After several mostly dark years it is busy again, with Porchlight Music Theatre renting it for its season, starting with Little Shop of Horrors from Nov. 4 through Dec. 13. The Fullerton stop on the Red, Brown and Purple lines is the closest train.
South Side
Court Theatre
Location: Hyde Park, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. (University of Chicago campus)
Court is the professional company on the University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park. Its home, the Abelson Auditorium, has 251 seats, and the programming leans toward classics and adaptations. We have reviewed productions there such as Native Son, Porgy and Bess and Waiting for Godot. Parking is free in the covered garage at 55th and Ellis, which is a rare win in Chicago. It is a trek from the Loop, but the #55 Garfield bus stops at 55th and Ellis, a short walk from the door.
Theaters in the Suburbs
Marriott Theatre
Location: Lincolnshire (northern suburbs)
Marriott is theatre-in-the-round inside the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort. The stage sits in the middle of the house, so the musicals feel close. In our musical coverage, the in-the-round setup and aisle entrances repeatedly stand out—an aisle seat can put you right next to the action, while sitting a few rows back often gives a better view of the full choreography. Parking is free.
Drury Lane Theatre
Location: Oakbrook Terrace (western suburbs)
Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace stages professional musicals and plays in a traditional proscenium theater, rather than Marriott’s in-the-round setup. Its suburban location makes it a practical option for western-suburb audiences who want a large production without heading into the Loop. Our coverage of its musicals has noted strong production values and the ability to pair dinner with the show at the larger complex. Check the production’s seating chart and allow time for traffic around the Oakbrook area.
Paramount Theatre
Location: Aurora, 23 E. Galena Blvd. (western suburbs)
Paramount occupies a restored historic theater in downtown Aurora and is particularly known for its large-scale musical productions. It’s a big house, so check the seating chart before you buy. Downtown Aurora has restaurants within walking distance, and Metra’s BNSF line ends at Aurora station on Broadway, within walking distance of the theater. If you’re driving, there’s valet on show nights and a municipal garage two blocks south at Stolp Avenue and Downer Place.
How to Choose a Chicago Theater
Decide what kind of night you want and how far you are willing to go. When looking at big tours, the Loop houses are convenient if you are already downtown, though parking adds up. Steppenwolf and Lookingglass have felt more immediate in our reviews of ensemble and physical work. Court is the one I point people to when a small house and free parking matter more than being in the Loop. Marriott is the clear choice if you specifically want theatre-in-the-round. Check seating charts and accessibility notes before you buy. For more on the professional companies, see our guide to Chicago Equity Theatre Companies.
Planning Your Theater Visit
Always confirm showtimes, tickets, and parking on the theater’s own site. Details change by production. Running times in our coverage have ranged from about 90 minutes (some Lookingglass and Steppenwolf pieces) to three hours or more with intermissions (major Goodman and Court revivals), so check the specific show. For discount options, see our guide to cheap Chicago theatre tickets.
Chicago Theater FAQ
Where do Broadway tours play in Chicago?
Most national tours play the Loop’s Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre and James M. Nederlander Theatre, all booked by Broadway In Chicago.
Which Chicago-area theaters have free parking?
Court Theatre in Hyde Park has a free garage at 55th and Ellis. Out in the suburbs, the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire and Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace both offer free parking.
How does parking work for Chicago Shakespeare?
Drive to Entrance 1 on the north side of Navy Pier, use the theater’s dedicated gate and bring your ticket to the lobby to have it validated for the discounted rate.
Can I take the train to the Paramount in Aurora?
Yes. Metra’s BNSF line ends at Aurora station, and the Paramount is a walk away at 23 E. Galena Blvd.
Explore More ChicagoCritic Guides
See what’s onstage this week in Chicago Shows Now Playing, and the awards behind many of these productions in our Jeff Awards guide. For the companies themselves, browse our guide to non-Equity Chicago theatre companies. In season, see where to see The Nutcracker and our Chicago holiday shows roundup. And before you go, our theater dress-code guide has practical tips.