Over the last two years  Broadway In Chicago, a leading Chicago-based presenter of live theatre and a joint entertainment venture between Live Nation and the Nederlander Organization, has seen breakthrough results, with  vitality and prosperity of Chicago’s Downtown Theatre District. 

A significant finding is Broadway In Chicago’s position as a premiere destination for the city’s many tourists and visitors.  With an annual attendance figure of 1.5 million theater patrons, over 42% of audiences are traveling to Chicago from out-of-state to see long-running shows like Wicked. Theatre patrons occupy over 500,000 hotel room nights per year, more than the top ten city conventions combined and  theatre patrons spend more than $75 million at local restaurants while visiting the area.

“The record-breaking success of Wicked combined with the growth of the Downtown Theatre District has changed the way Broadway producers view Chicago.  It is no longer simply a stop on the touring road.  It has become, instead, a place where long running success can be sustained with the support of the City of Chicago and Mayor Daley.  The future for Chicago as a national center for theatre looks very bright and everyone with Wicked is proud to be a part of the impressive results of this study,” explains Wicked producer David Stone.

And gay theatre blossoms as well. Since 1995, Bailiwick Repertory has made its home in the Bailiwick Arts Center, 1229 W. Belmont. The 150-seat Mainstage, 90-seat studio, and 40-seat loft contained in the Bailiwick building have allowed Bailiwick to further explore its art with staged readings, performance pieces, and workshops of new work.

And right next door is theTheatre Building Chicago. Celebrating 30 years in Chicago, they are an incubator to develop original musical works and emerging theatre companies and artists.

For more “Off-Broadway” shows, visit Theatre in Chicago, the most comprehensive listings, news, reviews, and pre-theatre dining suggestions for the shows that are currently playing in the Chicago area as well as future productions of shows.