Ford Center for the Performing Arts

06/25/09

The Oriental Theatre

by SimmySimmyYaaaa at Citysearch

This place looks amazing. I love the design and all the neat decor. Very beautiful and very classy. Not a lot of leg room in the seats but don't worry about that when you're experiencing the greatest live theater and film showings in the city!

Right down town so take a cab or use garage parking

• Pros: One of the greats!
• Cons: Not cheap for tickets

10/29/06

Beautiful but Pricey

by masm60 at Citysearch

I agree the Oriental is a beautiful venue but I didn't find drinks reasonable at all. My wife and I just saw Wicked last week (good show by the way) and I paid $3.00 for a 12 ounce bottle of water. That's $32 a gallon!

The seats are narrow and leg room reminds me of a coach seat on a discount airline. The production, lighting and sound system are first class and the bathrooms are clean but scarce and crowded during intermission.

• Pros: Entry was quick and efficient and there is ample staff to guide you to your seat.
• Cons: Tight seating and poor legroom.

This theater's careful combination of historical preservation and modern technology is impressive.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Venue
From ornate chandeliers and gold leaf to marble floors and sculptured domes, you'll be dazzled by every last detail painstakingly repainted, re-glazed, re-laid and redesigned. You'll also delight in top-notch lighting, a crystal-clear sound system and a stage that has been expanded to fit a large cast. Comfy seats are roomier than most, so you can enjoy a performance without suffering stiff legs or a sore back. Bathroom lines move quickly as ushers alert you to the next open stall, merchandise stands and concessions are on every level. You'll even find a few bar areas in which to mingle with other thirsty theatergoers.

The History
The Oriental Theatre opened in 1926 as a movie house that also featured live performances. During the theater's heyday, stars like Judy Garland, Bob Hope, Jackie Gleason, and the Three Stooges graced its stage. The first show at the restored stage was "Ragtime." The theater's seamless return to the North Loop may leave audiences forgetting it ever stood empty.

05/09/03

Bad Service

by sumguyb at Citysearch

I just bought tickets in person from the Ford Theater's box office. I came back to work and went to the theater's web page to send a link to people I bought tickets for. Guess What - the same tickets are 35% cheaper online with a promotion they are running. Same seat numbers, same day, same time, one row back but in the same section.

I called the office to see about refunding the tickets that I bought in person 40 minutes ago so I could buy the ones on the web for 35% less. It wasn't just that they said the tickets were non-refundable and I was stuck. That much is fair. What really got me was the way they acted like I was bothering them.

09/25/02

Beautiful and almost intimate

by peterbehle_citysearch at Citysearch

It's simply a beautiful theater -- smaller and more intimate than the near-by Chicago. The artwork and roof are spectacular. If you get a seat anywhere on the main floor, you'll have a great view of the stage. And, surprisingly, drinks and snacks are reasonably priced.