CIBC Theatre — Attraction in Chicago

Worst theater seating experience in at least 14 years, pre-dating Covid. The performance of "To Kill a Mockingbird" was excellent but marred by this theater's disorganized theater entry, odd layout, inconsiderate audience, and totally incompetent ushers. It's a small theater with period charm, but cramped seats and aisles, limited restroom facilities, and ushers who do not know seat locations.

If you go to CIBC, be aware that it is your AISLE number that is the most important thing, NOT your row or seat number. I had to speak to three different ushers -- and finally to a supervisor -- before I could find my seat. It took almost 20 minutes and a late entrance to the performance, because the lines move so slowly at each entryway. Among the instructions I was given -- go down two flights, go up one floor, not this door but maybe the next one, that aisle number isn't on this floor so it must be the floor below, no there are no restrooms on this floor but you can try downstairs.

So if the ushers don't even know the seats that they are responsible for, one shudders to think what would happen if the audience had to evacuate in an emergency. It would be really difficult to move quickly around all the people with their drinks and food and wrappers. In fact, CIBC seems more interested in providing bar and buffet service to its patrons so that they can slurp, rattle ice, gurgle, crackle wrapping and burp throughout the performance. Not to mention the four LOUD mobile phones that went off during each act, and the at least dozen people who were checking their brightly-lit phones throughout the performance.

If anybody wants to know why live theatre is not flourishing, they only need to look at the poor quality of experience that the theatre staff is providing. Not to mention the outrageous monopoly and high prices charged by Ticketmaster. Shame...

My wife and I went to see Hamilton on May 25, 2019 for the matinee. We had a marvelous experience. The play is outstanding. The actors, music, intensity, and the emotion conveyed are memorable, it was a life event. Tremendous voices and great portrayals in every role. I am not a theater critic, enough about the play. If you have read the negative reviews they all focus on the venue. I dislike using ticketmaster, but this is how I bought my tickets. The play had just been extended and now has had its run extended again. The theatre is old; built in 1906. It is not much larger than other theaters of the era built in the medium sized cites in other Illinois communities. I bought two tickets in the second row of the mezzanine right center. It is an ideal location. The size of the theater makes it feel intimate. I also rather accidentally bought the suite service add on for $40 per person, I would say it was worth it. Two restrooms (single stall) are in the suite; available to suite service purchasers. It is an outrageously expensive outing to see a broadway play in New York or Chicago find another way to be frugal, just enjoy this magnificent event. Restrooms in theater are inadequate for the number of seats. Doors opened 45 minutes before showtime, not an hour. Entering, exiting, and intermission are crowded there are no places to lounge or hangout. Staying in a nearby hotel would be a plus. There is a Hampton next to theater, may help to avoid the long lines to a restroom that way. The staff were nice to us. Imagine if every day and night a horde of newcomers arrive complaining about restrooms and lines. Extend some grace and patience this is a once in a lifetime for many but the daily grind for the theater staff. Photo is view of stage is...

Let me preface this by saying the performers/performance was great. That was not the problem here.

I took my grandmother to see the Jan 22 performance of “Chicago.” While the staff was great and friendly and this is not at all their fault, the first thing that went wrong is that as soon as doors to the theater opened everyone was pushed through the doors like cattle. It was super unsafe and it didn’t seem like anyone was there to direct folks through the doors or to their seats. We stood packed together for about 10 minutes unable to move. Many staff in sight but none were directing. It was extremely unsafe as everyone was just pushing toward doors. The second issue faced is that this venue for some reason sells many “snacks” you are able to take into the theater. this includes bags of chips, candy, pretzels etc. the theater is very small and the acoustics do not travel the best, and for a greater part of the show the only thing you could hear was guests rustling in their snack bags. None of the ushers seemed concerned despite many members of the audience being quite peeved by this. Members of the audience standing, leaving the house at all points of the show, talking amongst themselves etc. As someone who has been involved in theater their entire life, as well as a frequent flyer of many theater events, i have never experienced worse etiquette than at this particular show. Extremely disappointing as we had to travel well over 2 hours in order to attend this show. Upon purchasing tickets, i was assured our view would be unrestricted. However, it was not. Probably the worst and most frustrating event i’ve...